1. The Language of Science

2. The language of science is different!
Terms in science have a different meaning than in common use:
Hypothesis
Theory
Law
These differences lead to a misunderstanding of scientific research and propositions

3. Expression of Ideas in Science
Belief-
An opinion that does not require evidence, often based on societal or religious teaching or ethics
- Example: Astrology

4. Expression of Ideas in Science
Hypothesis
A testable statement that predicts the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable
- Example: If temperature is increased then the number of pill bugs in an area will decrease.

5. Expression of Ideas in Science
Scientific Theory
A well substantiated explanation of the natural world, can incorporate facts, laws, inferences and tested hypotheses. Some theories are “cutting edge”, and have less evidence to support them.
- Example: Theory of evolution, atomic theory, string theory

6. Progression of Ideas in Science: Theory
- Theories are used to explain “how and why”, & to predict the outcome of other experiments
- Theories must be tested, and cannot be proven correct
- Sometimes they are wrong & must be modified or discarded

7. Expression of Ideas in Science
Scientific Fact
An objective observation that can be measured again and again with the same result
- Example: The earth is round

8. Expression of Ideas in Science
Scientific Law
A statement of an observed regularity among facts, often expressible as a simple mathematical relationship
- Example: Law of gravity

9. Progression of Ideas in Science: Laws
- Explains what happens (not why)
- Summaries of the results of many, many experiments & observations
- When results of a series of experiments are the same each time they no longer need to be tested
EX: Newton’s Law of Gravity

10. Progression of Ideas in Science
Which one is most likely to be wrong- hypothesis, theory, or law? 1. 2. 3.
Hypothesis
Theory
Law