Which statement is evidence justifying why bodes law was considered a scientific law and not a theory?
A. Bode’s law is now considered a mathematical curiosity
B. Bode’s law described a pattern without explaining why the pattern occurred.
C. Limits and restrictions apply to Bode’s law.
D. Certain planets did not fit the pattern described by Bode’s law.
B. Bode’s law described a pattern without explaining why the pattern occurred.
The evidence that justifies why Bode's law was considered a scientific law and not a theory is option D. Certain planets did not fit the pattern described by Bode's law. This indicates that Bode's law was based on empirical observations and mathematical calculations that accurately predicted the positions of most planets in the solar system, but not all. The fact that there were exceptions to the pattern suggests that further scientific investigation was required to refine and expand upon the law.
To determine which statement is evidence justifying why Bode's Law was considered a scientific law and not a theory, we need to understand the differences between a scientific law and a theory.
In science, a law is a mathematical relationship or descriptive principle that explains a repetitive pattern observed in nature. It describes what happens but does not provide an explanation for why it occurs. On the other hand, a theory is a more comprehensive explanation that provides a framework for understanding the underlying causes and mechanisms behind the observed patterns.
Now let's examine the given options:
A. Bode’s law is now considered a mathematical curiosity.
This statement implies that Bode's Law is not taken seriously in the scientific community anymore. However, this does not provide evidence as to why it was considered a scientific law in the first place.
B. Bode’s law described a pattern without explaining why the pattern occurred.
This statement aligns with the definition of a scientific law. It suggests that Bode's Law only describes the pattern of planetary distances without providing an explanation for why the pattern exists. This supports the idea that Bode's Law was considered a scientific law and not a theory.
C. Limits and restrictions apply to Bode’s law.
This statement mentions that there are limitations and restrictions associated with Bode's Law. However, this is more related to the applicability and accuracy of the law rather than its classification as a scientific law or theory.
D. Certain planets did not fit the pattern described by Bode’s law.
This statement also suggests that Bode's Law is not universally applicable, as some planets do not conform to the pattern it describes. However, this does not directly address why Bode's Law would be considered a scientific law rather than a theory.
Based on the definitions and explanations provided, the statement that best justifies why Bode's Law was considered a scientific law and not a theory is:
B. Bode’s law described a pattern without explaining why the pattern occurred.