Laws and Theories

What is a scientific theory?

• a test to approve or disprove an idea

• an idea that is definitely false

• an idea about the world or how it works

• proof that the world is a certain way

What should be true about scientists when they are testing a scientific theory?

• they should be open to new ideas

• they should be certain their theory is correct

• they should be unobservant in their experiments

• they should be incorrect about their theory

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Which of these is a scientific theory that was eventually disproved?

• the Earth is round

• the Sun revolves around the Earth

• germs cause disease

• lightning often strikes the same place twice

A rule that describes a repeatable pattern in nature

• scientific law

• scientific inquiry

• scientific theory

A scientific ____________ is a statement that describes what always happens under certain conditions in nature.

• law

• theory

• method

• variable

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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 statement below correctly identifies the difference between laws and theories?

• Laws describe phenomena, while theories explain why and how phenomena exist

• Laws are a statement of fact, while theories are a statement of opinion

• Laws explain why phenomena exist, while theories explain how

• Laws are a prediction of phenomena, while theories are an explanation

A scientific theory explains how or why things happen in nature.

• True

• False

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Scientific laws often include a mathematical relationship observed in nature.

• True

• False

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Earth's average temperatures will continue to increase because of the deterioration of the ozone layer, allowing the sun's rays that were previously absorbed to reach Earth's surface.

• Theory

• Law

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