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Chapter 1: Problem 32

What does the word falsifiable mean? Provide an example of an idea that is not falsifiable. Provide an example of an idea that is falsifiable.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Falsifiability means an idea can be tested and potentially proven false. 'God exists' is non-falsifiable. 'All swans are white' is falsifiable.

Step by step solution

01

- Define Falsifiability

Falsifiability refers to the characteristic of a statement, hypothesis, or theory that means it can be tested and potentially proven false. A falsifiable idea is one that can be shown to be incorrect through observation or experiment.
02

- Provide an Example of a Non-Falsifiable Idea

A non-falsifiable idea is one that cannot be proven false, no matter the evidence. For example, the statement 'God exists' is non-falsifiable because there is no possible observation or experiment that can conclusively prove this statement false.
03

- Provide an Example of a Falsifiable Idea

A falsifiable idea is one that can be tested and potentially proven false. For example, the statement 'All swans are white' is falsifiable because it can be tested by observing swans. Finding just one swan that is not white would prove the statement false.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

scientific method
The scientific method is a systematic way of discovering truths about the world. It starts with asking a question and forming a hypothesis, which is a testable prediction. Researchers then conduct experiments to test the hypothesis. Here are the basic steps:
  • Ask a Question
  • Do Background Research
  • Construct a Hypothesis
  • Conduct Experiments
  • Analyze Data
  • Draw a Conclusion
By following these steps, scientists ensure that their findings are based on evidence and can be replicated by others.
hypothesis testing
Hypothesis testing is a core part of the scientific method. After forming a hypothesis, scientists test it by conducting experiments. The goal is to gather data that either supports or refutes the hypothesis. If the data supports the hypothesis, it is considered valid for the time being. If the data refutes the hypothesis, it's considered falsified.

Here is how it works:
  • Formulate a Hypothesis: Make a clear, testable statement.
  • Design an Experiment: Plan how to test the hypothesis.
  • Collect Data: Perform experiments and collect data.
  • Analyze Results: Compare the data to the hypothesis.
  • Draw Conclusions: Decide whether the hypothesis is supported or refuted.
By carefully testing hypotheses, scientists build reliable knowledge over time.
validity of theories
The validity of scientific theories depends on their ability to explain and predict phenomena in the natural world. A valid theory is one that is well-supported by evidence and withstands repeated testing and scrutiny. To maintain validity, theories must be:

  • Consistent: They fit well with established knowledge.
  • Predictive: They can make accurate predictions about future events or discoveries.
  • Falsifiable: They can be tested and potentially proven false.
  • Repeatable: Other scientists should be able to replicate experiments and get similar results.
A theory that meets these criteria is considered robust and credible.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Convert the following numbers to scientific notation: a. 7,000,000,000 b. 0.00346 c. 1,238

Imagine that you have become a biologist, studying rats in Indonesia. Most of the time, Indonesian rats maintain a constant population. Every half century, however, these rats suddenly begin to multiply exponentially! Then the population crashes back to the constant level. Sketch a graph that shows the rat population over two of these episodes.

The number of pages in a science journal published every year increased exponentially from 625 pages in 1940 to 14,000 pages in \(1980 .\) Sketch two graphs of this increase: one with linear axes, and one with logarithmic axes.

Astrology makes testable predictions. For example, it predicts that the horoscope for your star sign on any day should fit you better than do horoscopes for other star signs. Read the daily horoscopes for all of the astrological signs in a newspaper or online. How many of them might fit the day you had yesterday? Repeat the experiment every day for a week and keep a record of which horoscopes fit your day each day. Was your horoscope sign consistently the best description of your experiences?

Convert the following numbers to standard notation: a. \(5.34 \times 10^{8}\) b. \(4.1 \times 10^{3}\) c. \(6.24 \times 10^{-5}\)
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