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Scientific Laws and Theories
A scientific theory is an explanation of things or events based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations. A theory is not a guess. When investigations are continuously repeated and each time the results support the hypothesis, the hypothesis can then be called a theory. If new technology allows for more information to become available that would contradict the theory, then the theory would have to be modified.
In order for theories to be valid, they must consistently pass several tests.
- Theories must explain observations clearly and consistently.
- The experiments used to support theories must be repeatable.
- The results of a theory must be predictable.
A scientific law is a statement about what happens in nature and that seems to always be true all the time. A scientific law tells us that certain things will happen under certain conditions, but they do not explain how or why those certain things happen. A theory can offer an explanation of how and why scientific laws occur.
An easy way to tell the difference: A scientific law tells us WHAT will happen. A scientific theory tells us HOW and WHY something happens.