Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 1: Problem 3

How are scientific theories tested?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Scientific theories are tested through the scientific method. It starts with a hypothesis formulation, followed by conducting relevant experiments. The results are observed and interpreted to prove or disprove the hypothesis. If results are supporting, the hypothesis becomes a theory. The final step entails the peer review process, where the findings are validated by other scientists in the same field.

Step by step solution

01

Formulate a Hypothesis

A scientific theory testing starts with a hypothesis. A hypothesis is an educated guess or explanation for a certain phenomena or observation. It is the starting point of the scientific theory testing.
02

Conduct an Experiment

After formulating a hypothesis, an experiment is conducted to test the validity of the hypothesis. This experiment has to be designed in such a way that it can provide measurable results that either agree or disagree with the hypothesis.
03

Observation and Analyze Results

During and after the experiment, careful observation and data collection is paramount. This collected data is then addressed systematically to determine if they support the hypothesis or not.
04

Conclusion

If the results support the hypothesis, it becomes a theory. However, the hypothesis is discarded or modified if the results differ from the hypothesis. Finally, all observations and conclusions are documented meticulously.
05

Peer Review

The documented findings are shared with other scientists in the field for further scrutiny. This is known as a peer review. Scientists try to replicate the experiment to see if they get the same results. This validation step builds confidence in the scientific theory.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

What is the advantage to the astronomer of using the lightyear as a unit of distance?

Describe the role that skepticism plays in science.

Access the AIMM (Active Integrated Media Module) called "Small-Angle Toolbox" in Chapter 1 of the Universe Web site or eBook. Use this to determine the diameters in kilometers of the Sun, Saturn, and Pluto given the following distances and angular sizes:

The Sun's mass is \(1.99 \times 10^{30} \mathrm{~kg}\), three-quarters of which is hydrogen. The mass of a hydrogen atom is \(1.67 \times 10^{-27} \mathrm{~kg}\). How many hydrogen atoms does the Sun contain? Use powers-of-ten notation.

What is a parsec? How is it related to a kiloparsec and to a megaparsec?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Kinematics Physics

Read Explanation

Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Read Explanation

Radiation

Read Explanation

Classical Mechanics

Read Explanation

Rotational Dynamics

Read Explanation

Linear Momentum

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free