Topic 1 Scientific Law

and Scientific Theory

What is a scientific law?
Describes ________________________
Proven, often _______________
Does not explain ____________

What is a scientific theory?

_____-supported, _____________ tested, _______ accepted
Explain ____________; often will explain _____________________
Used to ____________________
____ change with _______________
Are not / usually cannot be __________
-__________________________________

Is the description a scientific hypothesis, model, theory, or law?

Description H/M/T/L
A student produces a science project illustrating the structure of an atom using Ping-Pong balls
and toothpicks.
Net force is equal to the product of the mass of an object and the change it the objects velocity.

A student thinks that if a plant is transplanted to a sunnier spot, it will grow better.
Engineers create a spreadsheet to help them predict what will happen if a production line is sped
up.
A comet, asteroid, or meteor impact event may have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs
The lithosphere of the earth is divided into a small number of plates which float on and travel
independently over the mantle.
Scientists observe planetary motion and write a mathematical formula to explain it.

If Mr. Twar hands out pencils, then students will be less likely to bring their own

Earths average temperature is rising due to greenhouse gases.

The amount of gravitational force between two objects is related to their masses and the distance
between the objects.
More crimes take place during a full moon.
 Topic 1 Scientific Law
and Scientific Theory
What is a scientific law?
Describes a basic principle of nature
Proven, often mathematically
Does not explain why or how

What is a scientific theory?

Well-supported, extensively tested, widely accepted
Explain observations; often will explain the why and how of a law
Used to predict what is unknown
May change with new evidence
Are not / usually cannot be proven
-Too large, too small, not observable, in the past

Is the description a scientific hypothesis, model, theory, or law?

Description H/M/T/L
A student produces a science project illustrating the structure of an atom using Ping-Pong balls
M
and toothpicks.
Net force is equal to the product of the mass of an object and the change it the objects velocity. L
A student thinks that if a plant is transplanted to a sunnier spot, it will grow better. H
Engineers create a spreadsheet to help them predict what will happen if a production line is sped
M
up.
A comet, asteroid, or meteor impact event may have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs T
The lithosphere of the earth is divided into a small number of plates which float on and travel
T
independently over the mantle.
Scientists observe planetary motion and write a mathematical formula to explain it. L
If Mr. Twar hands out pencils, then students will be less likely to bring their own H
Earths average temperature is rising due to greenhouse gases. T
The amount of gravitational force between two objects is related to their masses and the distance
L
between the objects.
More crimes take place during a full moon. H