Difference between revisions of "Explain the Difference Between Theory, Law, and a Fact"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Explaining the Difference between Scientific Theory and Law=== | ===Explaining the Difference between Scientific Theory and Law=== | ||
| − | #Define a scientific law. Understanding law is fundamental to understanding scientific terminology: a scientific law is a statement, based on repeated long-term observation, which describes any phenomena of nature.<ref> http://lifehacker.com/the-difference-between-a-fact-hypothesis-theory-and-1732904200</ref> | + | #Define a scientific law. Understanding law is fundamental to understanding scientific terminology: a scientific law is a statement, based on repeated long-term observation, which describes any phenomena of nature.<ref name="rf1"> http://lifehacker.com/the-difference-between-a-fact-hypothesis-theory-and-1732904200</ref> |
#* Laws have never been refuted (hence their relatively small number) and are not explanations; they are descriptions and are often stated through relatively simple mathematical equations. | #* Laws have never been refuted (hence their relatively small number) and are not explanations; they are descriptions and are often stated through relatively simple mathematical equations. | ||
| − | #* Scientific laws, despite their formality, can change or have exceptions as scientific understandings of phenomena evolve.<ref>http://www.livescience.com/21457-what-is-a-law-in-science-definition-of-scientific-law.html</ref> | + | #* Scientific laws, despite their formality, can change or have exceptions as scientific understandings of phenomena evolve.<ref name="rf2">http://www.livescience.com/21457-what-is-a-law-in-science-definition-of-scientific-law.html</ref> |
| − | #Provide examples of laws. Helping someone understand scientific law—an admittedly abstract concept—will allow them to differentiate between theory and fact. In many ways, laws are a starting place; they are often observed and have never been refuted, but do not explain why something occurs.<ref> http://www.livescience.com/21457-what-is-a-law-in-science-definition-of-scientific-law.html</ref> | + | #Provide examples of laws. Helping someone understand scientific law—an admittedly abstract concept—will allow them to differentiate between theory and fact. In many ways, laws are a starting place; they are often observed and have never been refuted, but do not explain why something occurs.<ref name="rf3"> http://www.livescience.com/21457-what-is-a-law-in-science-definition-of-scientific-law.html</ref> |
#* A common example is the Law of Evolution: this law describes a phenomenon that has been observed throughout nature, but the law does not explain why evolution occurs. | #* A common example is the Law of Evolution: this law describes a phenomenon that has been observed throughout nature, but the law does not explain why evolution occurs. | ||
#* As another example, the Law of Gravity has been known in the scientific community since the late 17th century. The law describes the natural phenomenon of gravity, but does not provide an explanation as to how and why gravity functions. | #* As another example, the Law of Gravity has been known in the scientific community since the late 17th century. The law describes the natural phenomenon of gravity, but does not provide an explanation as to how and why gravity functions. | ||
| − | #Define a scientific theory. Scientifically speaking, a theory is a rational explanation of why an aspect of our world functions in a certain way. The definition of a theory will incorporate facts and laws, although the three are fundamentally separate.<ref>https://ncse.com/library-resource/definitions-fact-theory-law-scientific-work</ref> | + | #Define a scientific theory. Scientifically speaking, a theory is a rational explanation of why an aspect of our world functions in a certain way. The definition of a theory will incorporate facts and laws, although the three are fundamentally separate.<ref name="rf4">https://ncse.com/library-resource/definitions-fact-theory-law-scientific-work</ref> |
#* A theory builds from initial hypotheses (educated guesses) and can be revised in accordance with the development of a scientific understanding of a phenomena’s cause. | #* A theory builds from initial hypotheses (educated guesses) and can be revised in accordance with the development of a scientific understanding of a phenomena’s cause. | ||
#* A theory is confirmed by all available evidence such that it can be used to predict new, as yet unobserved phenomena. | #* A theory is confirmed by all available evidence such that it can be used to predict new, as yet unobserved phenomena. | ||
#Provide an example of scientific theory. This will help clarify your point and make a clearer explanation. The theory is used to explain an occurrence, while the law describes a phenomenon under specific circumstances in nature. | #Provide an example of scientific theory. This will help clarify your point and make a clearer explanation. The theory is used to explain an occurrence, while the law describes a phenomenon under specific circumstances in nature. | ||
| − | #* For example, the scientific Theory of Natural Selection corresponds with the Law of Evolution.<ref> http://futurism.com/hypothesis-theory-or-law/</ref> While the law states an observed natural phenomena (life forms develop new characteristics based on external circumstances), the theory describes how and why this happens. | + | #* For example, the scientific Theory of Natural Selection corresponds with the Law of Evolution.<ref name="rf5"> http://futurism.com/hypothesis-theory-or-law/</ref> While the law states an observed natural phenomena (life forms develop new characteristics based on external circumstances), the theory describes how and why this happens. |
===Explaining the Difference between Scientific Law and Fact=== | ===Explaining the Difference between Scientific Law and Fact=== | ||
| − | #Define a scientific fact. In scientific terminology, a fact is an observation that has been repeatedly observed and is accepted as practically functional and “correct.”<ref | + | #Define a scientific fact. In scientific terminology, a fact is an observation that has been repeatedly observed and is accepted as practically functional and “correct.”<ref name="rf4" /> |
#* While facts can be scientifically refuted or may not be consistent across time and place, they are held as true until they have been proven wrong. | #* While facts can be scientifically refuted or may not be consistent across time and place, they are held as true until they have been proven wrong. | ||
#Provide examples of scientific facts. As you explain this concept, focus especially from separating fact from law, since both describe natural phenomena, albeit in different ways. | #Provide examples of scientific facts. As you explain this concept, focus especially from separating fact from law, since both describe natural phenomena, albeit in different ways. | ||
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#* For example, begin your explanation by saying something like, “it is always bright outside at noon.” This is a fact in that it describes a state of nature—however, this statement may not be true in Antarctica or Greenland, where darkness lasts throughout the day in certain seasons. | #* For example, begin your explanation by saying something like, “it is always bright outside at noon.” This is a fact in that it describes a state of nature—however, this statement may not be true in Antarctica or Greenland, where darkness lasts throughout the day in certain seasons. | ||
#* Explain how this will lead to a revision of the scientific fact: “within certain degrees of latitude, it is always bright outside at noon.” | #* Explain how this will lead to a revision of the scientific fact: “within certain degrees of latitude, it is always bright outside at noon.” | ||
| − | #Clarify the distinction between scientific laws and facts. Facts are often the initial building blocks of scientific inquiry; they can generate curiosity and the hypotheses that come from inquiry and experimentation.<ref> https://pseudoastro.wordpress.com/2008/12/21/terminology-what-scientists-mean-by-fact-hypothesis-theory-and-law/</ref> | + | #Clarify the distinction between scientific laws and facts. Facts are often the initial building blocks of scientific inquiry; they can generate curiosity and the hypotheses that come from inquiry and experimentation.<ref name="rf6"> https://pseudoastro.wordpress.com/2008/12/21/terminology-what-scientists-mean-by-fact-hypothesis-theory-and-law/</ref> |
#* Facts are less formal than laws, and are not seen as an “official” definition of a phenomenon that occurs or of the reason that something happens. | #* Facts are less formal than laws, and are not seen as an “official” definition of a phenomenon that occurs or of the reason that something happens. | ||
#* Facts are more localized and generalize less than laws. Explain that, if the Law of Evolution describes the way that species throughout the world evolve over time, a scientific fact related to evolution (and natural selection) could be: “giraffes with long necks can reach more leaves than giraffes with short necks.” | #* Facts are more localized and generalize less than laws. Explain that, if the Law of Evolution describes the way that species throughout the world evolve over time, a scientific fact related to evolution (and natural selection) could be: “giraffes with long necks can reach more leaves than giraffes with short necks.” | ||
