Differentiate Between a Theory, Law, and Hypothesis

A possible explanation to a problem that has not yet been tested. 

• data
• theory
• hypothesis
• fact

A broad and comprehensive statement of what is thought to be true; it is supported by much evidence.

• hypothesis
• theory
• guess
• fact

Kalinda was trying to explain to her friend the difference between a theory and a law in science.  She used the theory of plate tectonics and the law of superposition as examples.  Kalinda explained the difference by using nonscientific language.  Which statement did Kalinda use to correctly describe the difference between a theory and a law in science?

• A theory describes a natural event, while a law explains it.
• A theory explains a natural event, while a law predicts it.
• A theory explains a natural event, while a law describes it.
• A theory predicts a natural event, while a law explains it.

An explanation a scientist makes that we can test to see if it is true or not is a _________.

• hypothesis
• theory
• law
• question

Martha is curious as to what happened to the dinosaurs.  She is convinced that a virus spread across the earth and killed all the dinosaurs.  Martha’s idea is called a ________.

• hypothesis
• theory
• law
• question

The law of universal gravitation states that both mass and distance of objects affect the gravitational force between them.  Gravitational force increases as the mass of the objects increase.  Gravitational force decreases as distance between the objects increases.  Why are these statements considered scientific law, and not scientific theory?

• The statements tells what happens, and not why the even occurs.
• This statement involves mass and distance measurements.
• This statement explains the attractive force between two objects.
• This statement predicts what will happen under certain conditions.

Which of the following can be used to test a hypothesis?

• experiment
• theory
• law
• variable

In 1897, Joseph Thomson discovered that atoms contained electrons.  He proposed a change in the atomic theory of that time, and the theory was modified because of his discovery.  Since Thomson’s discovery, atomic theory has been further modified.  What is the best explanation for why scientific theories are modified?

• Theories more than ten years old are usually out of date.
• Scientists want to prove that the work of other scientists is wrong.
• New evidence that supports a revision prompts scientists to modify earlier theories.
• So much information is available today that it is harder to focus research and disprove theories.