Modifying Scientific Theories Chapter 2 Section 3

Why is it important to communicate in science? It is necessary to . . . Make results available to others To verify what was reported To learn of new discoveries Why do YOU think it is important?

Hypothesis Hypothesis: A suggested explanation for an observation that is followed with experimentation A successfully tested hypothesis can become a scientific theory

Theory Theory: An explanation based on many observations during repeated experiments that is valid only if it is consistent with observations, makes predictions that can be tested, and is the simplest explanation of observations. Theories are more certain that hypotheses but less certain than scientific laws Example: The Big Bang Theory

Scientific Law Scientific Law is a basic fact that describes the behavior of a natural phenomenon. A scientific law can be thought of as a “rule of nature”. The events described by a law are observed to be the same every time. Example: Newton’s Laws of Motion

Use the three ring Venn diagram (below) to Compare and contrast scientific hypotheses, theories, and laws. (How they are different goes in the outer parts of the circles. How they are the same goes in the inner parts of the circles.) Hypothesis Theory Law