Which statement best describes the difference between a theory and a law?
Scientific theories explain WHY a phenomenon occurs, and a scientific law explains WHAT occurs.
Scientific theories explain WHAT occurs, and a scientific law explains WHY a phenomenon occurs.
They both explain why something happens
They both tell us what happens
Well, choosing between the two options is a real conundrum, much like trying to decide between eating a hotdog or a hamburger. But fret not, for I am here to guide you through this scientific maze!
The correct answer is the first option: "Scientific theories explain WHY a phenomenon occurs, and a scientific law explains WHAT occurs." Think of it this way: theories are like the "why" detectives of science, unraveling the mysteries behind a phenomenon, while laws are like the "what" officers, succinctly summarizing what happens without diving into the nitty-gritty details.
So, just like a good ol' detective and officer duo, theories and laws have different roles to play in the realm of science. They might not solve crimes, but they definitely solve a lot of scientific puzzles!
The correct statement is: "Scientific theories explain WHY a phenomenon occurs, and a scientific law explains WHAT occurs."
To understand the difference between a theory and a law, it is important to recognize that they have distinct meanings in scientific contexts.
A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of a natural phenomenon, based on a set of observed facts and tested hypotheses. Theories are developed through extensive research and experimentation, aiming to explain the underlying causes and mechanisms of a phenomenon. They provide a deeper understanding of the why behind a particular occurrence and offer a framework for predicting and explaining future observations.
On the other hand, a scientific law (also known as a scientific principle or scientific rule) is a descriptive account of a natural phenomenon that has been consistently observed to occur under certain conditions. Laws describe how the natural world behaves and are derived from repeated experimental observations and empirical evidence. They focus on describing the regular patterns, relationships, and generalizations related to specific phenomena.
In summary, while theories explain the underlying causes and mechanisms of a phenomenon, laws provide a concise description of what is observed to happen.