Laws and Theories

Joe tells Gabby his theory about why sea turtles nest on the beach instead of in the ocean. He says, “The turtle eggs would sink to the bottom of the ocean, and the baby turtle would drown. I know this because my uncle is a fisherman, and he told me this information. Gabby tells Joe that his theory is not scientific. Why does Joe’s idea not meet the requirements to be a scientific theory?

• Joe’s idea is already a scientific law.

• Joe’s idea is not supported by scientific evidence.

• Joe’s idea is a good guess that can be tested by experiments.

• Joe and his uncle are not scientists.

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Lilly was trying to explain to her friend the difference between a theory and a law in science. She used the theory of plate tectonics and the law of superposition as examples. Lilli explained the difference by using non-scientific language. Which statement could Lilly use to correctly describe the difference between a theory and a law in science?

• A theory describes a natural event, while a law explains it.

• A theory explains a natural event, while a law predicts it.

• A theory explains a natural event, while a law describes it.

• A theory predicts a natural event, while a law explains it.

Scientific theories are based on

• general assumptions of how systems work.
• mathematical principles that can be proven true.
• large amounts of data collected over time.
• observations from within only one scientific discipline.

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Scientific theories do not change once they have been written down.

• True
• False

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Which of these explain how a natural phenomenon works or happens?

• theory

• law

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Which of these describes a natural phenomenon or relationship that always occurs under specific conditions

• theory

• law

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Which of these can be represented mathematically and provide no explanation why a phenomenon occurs?

• theory

• law

Scientists create both scientific theories and scientific laws as they make observations and conduct experiments about the natural world. Which of the following statements most accurately compares the difference between scientific theories and scientific laws

• science laws are based on evidence while science theories are not

• science theories involve only biology, while laws involve all types of science

• science theories involve mathematical equations, while science laws are based on observations

• science theories are ideas that explain natural events, while science laws predict what will happen in a natural event.

A possible explanation to a problem that has not yet been tested. 

• data
• theory
• hypothesis
• fact

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Before a scientific theory is accepted and supported, it has

• been tested by only one scientist.

• been published in scientific journals.

• been tested many times by different scientists.

• been approved by the International Committee of Scientists.

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