Wednesday, September 16th
Standard- Inquiry: Scientific inquiry involves asking and answering questions and comparing the answer with what
scientists already know about the world.
Big Idea: Conducting a Scientific Investigation.
Daily target: I can recognize and define key words
that relate to ecology.
Homework: What is science W/S pg.6-13 section 1.1
(9/18)
Practicing Observations and Making Inferences lab
sheet (9/18)
Entry Task: make one observation about Mr. Stark that uses
a qualitative description.
Conclusion: In your own words how does a Scientific Law
differ from a Scientific Theory?
Plan for Today:
Scientific Law vs. Theory
Ecology video
What is science W/S pg.6-13 section 1.1
Vocabulary:
Scientific law- is a statement describing what always happens under certain conditions. A
scientific law states what always happens but not why it happens.
Scientific Theory- explanation for events that is widely accepted as true and explains how
and why things happen.
Scientific Theory and Scientific Law
Theories
Speaks to the How and Why.
It is more qualitative
 The field of biology or Life
Science has more
scientific theories that
result from research.
Laws
Speak to the What happens. It is more
quantitative
 The fields of chemistry
and physics have more
scientific laws that result
from research.
Scientific Theory and Scientific Law

Scientific Theory usually
describes how or why a
phenomenon seen in
nature behaves.

Scientific Law usually
explains what works under
a given set of conditions
with a mathematical
formula.
BOTH are proven true
through continuous
experimentation!
Question:
Mass can come from energy and
energy from mass (E= mc2)
The speed of light in a vacuum is
constant and an absolute physical
boundary for motion

Is this a scientific theory
or a scientific law?

Is this a scientific theory
or a scientific law?

Scientific LAW

Part of the THEORY of
relativity
Question:
Is a scientific theory or a scientific law more correct?

Trick question! Both are equally
proven to be true through
continuous experimentation.
Ecology Video