Theories, Laws, and other Dangerous Ideas

How are these four concepts related to each other?

List examples of scientific theories and laws….

Theories Laws

Theories LawsTheory of Plate Tectonics: Earth’s crust is divided into plates that move. Explains why earthquakes and volcanoes occur in certain zones.

Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion: F=maDescribes the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration.

Kinetic Moleclar Theory: Matter consists of tiny particles in constant motion, whose speed is proportional to the absolute temperature. Explains gas laws.

Ideal Gas Law: PV=nRTDescribes the relationship between pressure, volume, moles, and temperature of a gas.

Germ Theory: Contagious diseases are caused by invisible microorganisms. Explains cause of many illnesses.

The law of independent assortment: Describes the principle that traits are passed on to offspring independent of each other

Atomic Theory: All matter is composed of elements made from indestructible particles called atoms. Explains why matter is conserved in chemical reactions.

Law of Superposition: Describes the general principle that in undeformed layers of rock, the oldest rock will be at the bottom.

Theories LawsTheory of Plate Tectonics: Earth’s crust is divided into plates that move. Explains why earthquakes and volcanoes occur in certain zones.

Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion: F=maDescribes the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration.

Kinetic Molecular Theory: Matter consists of tiny particles in constant motion, whose speed is proportional to the absolute temperature. Explains gas laws.

Ideal Gas Law: PV=nRTDescribes the relationship between pressure, volume, moles, and temperature of a gas.

Germ Theory: Contagious diseases are caused by invisible microorganisms. Explains cause of many illnesses.

The law of independent assortment: Describes the principle that traits are passed on to offspring independent of each other

Atomic Theory: All matter is composed of elements made from indestructible particles called atoms. Explains why matter is conserved in chemical reactions.

Law of Superposition: Describes the general principle that in undeformed layers of rock, the oldest rock will be at the bottom.

Now Define the Terms

• Fact-

• Hypothesis-

• Theory-

• Law-

Scientific Fact: “In science ‘fact’ can only mean ‘confirmed to such a degree that it would be perverse to withhold provisional consent’.”

Stephen J. GouldScientific Hypothesis:1. A proposed answer to a research question

2. A tentative explanation for an observation or phenomena that can be tested through experimentation.

Scientific Theory: A general principle supported by a substantial body of evidence offered to provide an explanation of observed facts and as a basis for future discussion or investigation.

Lincoln, Boxshall, and Clark (1990)

Scientific Theory: A general principle supported by a substantial body of evidence offered to provide an explanation of observed facts and as a basis for future discussion or investigation.

Lincoln, Boxshall, and Clark (1990)

Scientific Law: A scientific law is a description of a natural relationship or principle, often expressed in mathematical terms.

Mystery Tube

Mystery Cans

How does it work?

Is there a hierarchy among the four original concepts?• Facts

• Theories

• Laws

• Hypotheses

Speculation

Absolute Truth

Speculation

Absolute Truth

HYPOTHESIS

FACTS

THEORY L A W

Potential Progression of Scientific Ideas

HYPOTHESIS

FACTS

THEORY L A W

Potential Progression of Scientific Ideas

• Explanatory principal• Based more on

inference

• Concise, descriptive principal• Based more on observation

Keep in mind that most hypotheses support EXISTING theories/laws

What makes these ideas dangerous (when applied to science):

What makes these ideas dangerous (when applied to science):• Facts are indisputable

• Hypotheses are educated guesses

• Theories are unsubstantiated ideas

• Laws are proven theories

What makes these ideas dangerous (when applied to science):• Facts are indisputable

• Hypotheses are educated guesses

• Theories are unsubstantiated ideas

• Laws are proven theories