Hypothesis, Theory, Law

Scientist 1Scientist 2Scientist 3 Observation Fact Hypothesis Theory Law

Scientist 1Scientist 2Scientist 3 ObservationLead to factsData FactAre observations, Don’t explain ObservationsObservation HypothesisTestable statement, Look at relationships, Help build theories Lead to theoriesExplains how something works AFTER facts are gathered, needs to be testable, provides evidence for or against TheoryExplanation, testedExplains observations, lasts the test of time A Body of knowledge that explains a major hypothesis LawDescriptive generalization Reduced to an equation

Pair Share Read: pg 28 Group A: Read first 3 paragraphs Group B: Read last 3 paragraphs Write the definitions of Evidence and Hypothesis

Evidence: material or data that can be measured and tested Hypothesis: a tentative explanation for an observation. Must be testable. Scientists test their hypothesis by gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data. Hypothesis is usually written as in IF, THEN statement.

Hypothesis Examples If the water faucet is opened, then the amount of water flowing will increase. If fenders are placed on a bicycle, then the user will stay dry when going through puddles. If a prisoner learns a work skill while in jail, then he is less likely to commit a crime when he is released. If I raise the temperature of a cup of water, then the amount of sugar that can be dissolved in it will be increased.

Pair Share pg Partner B: Read first 2 paragraphs Partner A: Read last paragraph Write definition for theory and law

Theory: an explanation for observable events or facts for which no exception has been found and is accepted as correct by most scientists EX: Big Bang Theory, Theory of Plate Tectonics, Theory of Natural Selection Law: generalization about how the natural world behaves under certain conditions. Theories grow from laws (theories do not become laws) EX: Law of Gravitation, Law of Motion

Impact Theory In partners read development of a theory (pg 21/33) Why was the theory rejected? Why was it accepted? What is the current theory of the formation of our moon?