Scientific Fact Or Science Fiction Matching Terms Scientific Theory A tentative explanation that is tested to determine if the explanation is valid Scientific Fact A description of what happens – often expressed using mathematics Scientific Law a well tested and widely accepted view that explains certain observable facts Hypothesis Accepted or measured data or observation Examples Scientific Theory Scientific Laws Theory of Plate Tectonics F = MA Scientific Facts Hypothesis Pure water boils at 100C at STP More people prefer cheese pizza to pepperoni pizza Hypotheses, Theories, and Laws, oh my! A hypothesis (usually) does not become a theory Theories NEVER become laws Laws DESCRIBE Theories EXPLAIN Hypothesis Hypothesis – A tentative explanation that is tested to determine if the explanation is valid To test, you must have a testable question Testable Questions Question answered by experimentation How not why "How does __A___ affect ___B___?" A - Independent Variable B - Dependent Variable Writing the Testable Question Converting non-testable question to a testable question Identify possible variables that can be tested “What If?” Questions “Is It Possible?” Questions Comparing Questions Q. When is a theory not a theory A. When you are in science class Scientific theories have withstood the tests of time and scientific review Proving & Disproving Theories Theories DO NOT become Laws Theories cannot be proven If any part of a theory is disproven, the theory is no longer valid and must be either discarded or modified
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