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Chapter 2: Problem 11

Classify the following statements as observation, hypothesis, theory, or law: a. A system containing many particles will not go spontaneously from a disordered state to an ordered state. b. The substance is silvery white, is fairly hard, and is a good conductor of electricity. c. Bases feel slippery in water. d. If I pay attention in class, I will succeed in this course.

Short Answer

Expert verified
(a) is a law, (b) and (c) are observations, and (d) is a hypothesis.

Step by step solution

01

Identify each statement

First, read through each statement and determine whether it is an observation (a statement based on something that is witnessed), a hypothesis (a tentative explanation), a theory (a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect), or a law (a concise statement about a phenomenon that has been universally observed).
02

Classify Statement a

Statement (a): 'A system containing many particles will not go spontaneously from a disordered state to an ordered state.' This is a law based explanation, as it is universally observed to occur. It actually refers to the second law of thermodynamics.
03

Classify Statement b

Statement (b): 'The substance is silvery white, is fairly hard, and is a good conductor of electricity.' This statement simply describes observed characteristics of a substance, so it is an observation.
04

Classify Statement c

Statement (c): 'Bases feel slippery in water.' This is also an observation since it describes a direct sensory experience.
05

Classify Statement d

Statement (d): 'If I pay attention in class, I will succeed in this course.' is a hypothesis because it presents a predicted outcome based on certain given conditions.

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