Laws and Theories

Universal ______ of Gravitation: any 2 objects have a force of gravity between them. Tells what happens when 2 objects are near each other.

• Theory

• Law

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NGSS.HS-PS2-4

Theory or Law? Newton's first ______ of Motion: Objects will stay in motion unless stopped. Shows what happens with moving objects.

• Theory

• Law

Einstein's _______ of General Relativity: gravity curves space and time. Tries to explain why starlight bends.

• Theory

• Law

In what way is a scientific law different from a scientific theory?

• A law describes a pattern between two or more variables, while a theory explains why something happens.

• A law is true in all situations, while a theory is only true in some situations.

• A law describes the major ideas of the universe, while theories are based on smaller ideas of the universe.

• A law is based on testable facts and data, while a theory is just a combination of one or more hypotheses that still need to be tested.

True or False? Both theories and laws are based on empirical evidence gathered through systematic observation, experimentation, and/or research.

• True

• False

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NGSS.HS-LS4-1

NGSS.HS-PS1-2

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

Which of the following is true about theories and laws?

• Laws and theories are created based on many observations and experiments.

• Theories and laws cannot be altered or changed.

• Theories become laws after experiments are successfully replicated.

• Laws and theories are created based on the results of a single experiment.

Newton's 2nd Law of Motion states that the force acting upon an object is equal to the product of the object's mass and acceleration (F=ma). Which statement correctly explains why this is a law?

• Laws are descriptions of how nature works, and theories are explanations of why a natural process happens.

• Scientific theories that are not proven are accepted as laws.

• Scientific laws are proven by experimentation and approved by scientists.

• Theories are a descriptions of how nature works, and laws are explanations of why a natural process happens.

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NGSS.HS-PS2-1

Which of the following is a characteristic of all scientific theories?

• Theories explain why something happens.

• Theories explain the order of events in history.

• Theories never change.

• Theories are always based on models.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation states that the gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to their mass, and indirectly proportional to the distance between them. Why is this considered a law, but not a theory?

• It provides a description of a natural event, but not an explanation.

• It began as a theory, but as evidence for it mounted, it became a law.

• It was described very early in the history of science before theories were developed.

• It is so widely accepted that it would be unwise not to go along with it.

True or False? Scientific theories can be modified but scientific laws are unchangable.

• False

• True