THEORY VS LAW WHATS THE DIFFERENCE Hypothesis Is

THEORY VS. LAW WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Hypothesis � Is an educated guess � A step in the scientific method � Easily supported or disproven through experimentation or further observations � Can never be proven

Theory The Misconception � It’s a guess �We say things like: ○ “That’s just your theory” ○ "It's a theory, not a fact, ” The Scientific Truth � � � Well-supported, welldocumented explanation As close to fact as one can get in science Explains how things work Summarizes a group of hypotheses Can be observed repeatedly with constant results Used to predict what will happen in new situations

Theory The Misconception �If The Scientific Truth tested over and �A theory will over, it will never be a law become a law �A law never was a theory �They are two different things

Theory The Misconception �It will never change. The Scientific Truth �Theories can be disproven or changed when new discoveries are made.

Scientific Theory � An explanation for how things work � Well-supported, well-documented � Can be observed repeatedly with constant results � Used to predict what will happen in new situations � It will never become a law � May change with new discoveries

Law The Misconception �It is fact. The Scientific Truth � Laws can be disproven or changed with new discoveries. � Many theories, however, are accepted as “true” or as close to being fact as one can get in science.

Law The Misconception �It The Scientific Truth use to be a �A law may be theory before it based on some was tested some theory, but it more. never was one. �Laws and theories are different things.

Law The Misconception �Laws are more important to scientist than theories. The Scientific Truth Laws only describe “what” happens. � Theories are actually more specific as they explain the “why” things happen. � If all scientists ever did was make laws, the world would be welldescribed, but no one would ever understand how it all worked. �

Scientific Law � Describes an observed how something in nature works � Does not tell “why” � Can changed or be disproven with new discoveries

Similarities between Theories and Laws � The two terms can be confusing because they do have many things in common. They both: �Are based on tested hypotheses and observations �Are supported by a large amount of data �Are accepted by most (or all) scientists �Can be disproven at some time if new data is discovered �Can be described using Qualitative or Quantitative statements

Differences between Theories and Laws �Laws are descriptions �Laws tell “what” happens �Theories are explanations �Theories tell “why” or “how” it happens

Famous Scientific Laws and Theories Big Bang Theory � Evolution Theory � Law of Conservation of Mass � Law of Conservation of Energy � Newton’s Laws of Motion � Universal Law of Gravitation �

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Qualitative Quantitative Qual = “Quality” � Describes with words � � � Examples: �My dog has a short, brown tail. �The area of a rectangle is related to its length and width. Quant = “Quantity” � Describes with amount s, numbers, or equations � Examples: �My dog’s brown tail is 6 cm in length. �Area of a Rectangle: A=lxw

Qualitative Statements � 1. � 2. � 3.

Quantitative Statements � 1. � 2. � 3.

Determine if the following are qualitative or quantitative statements. He is 6 feet tall. Many dogs are barking outside. The leaves of the plant feel waxy. The white powder tasted sweet. The fire extinguisher is located near the storage room door. Every 60 seconds, the temperature of the water rose 1 degree. The ball rolled 13 feet before stopping. The object has a width of 4 cm. I heard thunder 8 seconds after the lightning strike. There are 11 starts hanging from the ceiling in Miss Amole’s class. � The bicycle has an orange, brown color on parts of the metal. � There is a musty smell coming from the refrigerator. � � � � �

Websites Cited http: //chemistry. about. com/od/chemistry 10 1/a/lawtheory. htm � http: //science. howstuffworks. com/innovatio n/scientific-experiments/10 -scientific-lawstheories. htm � http: //science. kennesaw. edu/~rmatson/338 0 theory. html � http: //www. evolution. mbdojo. com/theory. ht ml � http: //www. notjustatheory. com/ �