Scientific Hypothesis Natural Law vs. Scientific Theory

Science is a particular way of explaining and/or understanding the natural world. It is based on observation and experiments that can be confirmed or disproved by other scientists using accepted scientific techniques. It allows us to connect the past and the present The scientific approach often begins with a question, which comes from an observation about one or more phenomena in nature and follows by a scientific hypothesis.

An hypothesis is an explanation of one or more phenomena in nature that can be tested by observations, experiments, or both. A hypothesis must be falsifiable, which means that it can be proven to be incorrect. e.g. the dictionary is approximately 60 years old. (this hypothesis can be verified by checking the copy right date and/or tested using carbon dating technique)

LAW: A description of how a natural phenomenon will occur under certain circumstances consistently. e.g. gravity will cause unattached objects at certain heights within the Earth’s atmosphere to fall onto the Earth surface/ground. SCIENTIFIC THEORY: A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that typically incorporates many confirmed observations, laws, and successfully verified hypotheses. e.g. theory of evolution, which aims at explaining the diversity of life on earth through a process of change; evolution is a theory because it is a well-tested and well-substantiated explanation.

A scientific theory is not a fact! Even if a theory is a well-substantiated explanation, it is not a fact because we do not have ALL the evidence to make that conclusion. Because of the nature of science, that it s evidence-based, as long as a theory cannot be proven false, it remains true, but we do not know for sure if it really is true! Hmm…

Science is built on evidence observed from the natural world, therefore it is constantly changing! Evidence is gathered through the use of our senses (see, touch, etc) Evidence can be confusing, seemingly conflicting and apparently random Data is not always consistent All the evidence may not be available This is why scientific explanations are ‘tentative’ May have to connect seemingly unrelated lines of evidence to form hypotheses Discerning between useful and useless data is challenging Remember that human values, biases and experiences can deeply influence science