Scientific Law vs Theory

A law involves a ______ question.

• why

• what

• how

• where

A theory involves a ______ question.

• why

• what

• how

• where

Which can change based on new observations?

• theory

• law

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

A theory can become a law with enough evidence.

• true

• false

A theory is

• proven

• supported a large body of evidence

• both

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

Why is the collection of evidence necessary for plate tectonic theory?

• A theory must be agreed upon by each scientist studying plate tectonics.

• Scientists do not understand the theory of plate tectonics, so it needs to be modified.

• A theory needs a large body of evidence to support our understanding of natural events.

• Scientists should always add more evidence to existing theories, so they cannot be disproved.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Scientists base their explanations on evidence.

• true

• false

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1

NGSS.HS-LS1-6

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

NGSS.HS-PS1-2

Has scientific knowledge changed at all over time?

• yes

• no

A scientific THEORY

• is a guess

• describes what is happening, but not why

• explains why something happens

A scientific LAW

• is a societal rule we must obey

• describes what is happening, but not why

• explains why something happens

• explains why criminals break laws