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Chapter 1: Problem 94

True or false? A theory is an attempt to explain why a law is true.

Short Answer

Expert verified
True. A scientific theory is an attempt to explain why a law is true, as it provides an explanation for the underlying reasons behind the behaviors described by laws, while a law describes a consistent behavior observed in nature without explaining why the behavior occurs.

Step by step solution

01

Define a scientific theory

A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation or a group of statements about the behavior of the natural world that is based on evidence gathered through experimentation and observation. A theory is used to predict the outcome of new situations, as it continually adapts based on new evidence and discoveries.
02

Define a scientific law

A scientific law is a statement that describes an observable occurrence in nature that generally holds true for a particular set of conditions. Laws are determined through empirical evidence and explain what happens rather than why it happens; they often express the relationships between variables in a concise, mathematical form.
03

Compare a scientific theory and a scientific law

While both theories and laws are important components of scientific understanding, they serve different purposes. A theory provides an explanation for why a phenomenon occurs and can change based on new evidence, whereas a law describes a consistent behavior observed in nature without explaining why the behavior occurs.
04

Evaluate the statement

Given the definitions and comparisons of scientific theories and laws, it is accurate to say that a theory is an attempt to explain why a law is true. Theories seek to provide the underlying reasons behind the behaviors described by laws. Therefore, the statement is \(True\).

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