Theories, Laws, and other Dangerous Ideas

How are these four concepts related to each other?

List examples of scientific theories and laws…. Theories Laws

Theory of Plate Tectonics: Earth’s crust is divided into plates that move. Explains why earthquakes and volcanoes occur in certain zones. Newton’s 2 nd Law of Motion: F=ma Describes 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=nRT Describes 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 Laws Theory of Plate Tectonics: Earth’s crust is divided into plates that move. Explains why earthquakes and volcanoes occur in certain zones. Newton’s 2 nd Law of Motion: F=ma Describes 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=nRT Describes 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. Gould Scientific 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 THEORYL A W Potential Progression of Scientific Ideas

HYPOTHESIS FACTS THEORYL 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):

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