1. Scientific Law
A scientific law expresses a fundamental principle of science, like Newton's law of universal gravitation. *
* Wikipedia, Scientific_Law

2. Scientific Law and Theory
Vocabulary

3. Scientific Law
A scientific law must always apply under the same conditions. *
However, a scientific law does not attempt to explain why something happens
* Wikipedia, Scientific_Law

4. Scientific Theories
A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world..
(It is) based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment. *
Such fact-supported theories are not "guesses" but reliable accounts of the real world. *
* American Association for the Advancement of Science

5. Scientific Theories
The theory of biological evolution is more than "just a theory." It is as factual an explanation of the universe as the atomic theory of matter or the germ theory of disease. *
Our understanding of gravity is still a work in progress. But the phenomenon of gravity, like evolution, is an accepted fact. *
* American Association for the Advancement of Science

6. Scientific Theories
As with any area in science, it is possible that a new discovery might require that a theory be changed or discarded.
Because theories have been so well tested, they are seldom discarded, but modified as new evidence is discovered.

7. Scientific Theories Some theories which have survived the test of time
The Theory of Evolution has survived with minor changes since it was formulated independently by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace in 1858.
The Theory of Plate Tectonics, based on continental drift and seafloor spreading, originated in 1965.

8. Scientific Theories Some theories accepted as fact:
Astronomy: The Big Bang Theory, which explains how the universe came into existence
Biology: The Cell Theory, which states that all living organisms are composed of one or more cells
Chemistry: Atomic Theory, which states that all matter is made up of particles called atoms which cannot be divided further

9. Scientific Theories
Biology: The Theory of Evolution, which states that
all life is related
all life has descended from a common ancestor driven by
natural selection (survival of the fittest) which is due to
random beneficial mutations that aid the survival of individuals,
which can then have more offspring

10. Scientific Theories
Another theory which most climatologists accept as fact is the Climate change theory (due to anthropogenic activity).
This says that observed increases in average world temperature since the Industrial Revolution are due to human activity (production of so-called greenhouse gases)
This is often referred to as global warming

11. Classwork – Scientific Law and Theory
Copy the questions into your notebook (right-side) and answer them
Compare scientific law and scientific theory.
Give an example of a scientific law
Select one-A scientific theory is just an idea that someone came up with (True/False)
Select one-A scientific theory may be accepted as fact (True/False)
Select one-Because theories are so well tested, they are rarely discarded, but modified as needed (True/False)

12. Classwork – Scientific Law and Theory
6. What does the Theory of Plate Tectonics say?
7. What does the Atomic Theory say?
8. What does the Big Bang Theory explain?
9. What does the Theory of Evolution say?
10. According to the Climate Change Theory, what is responsible for climate change?