Keith Mack
Scientific laws and theories are both crucial to the scientific method, but they serve different purposes in understanding the natural world. A scientific law describes a single observable pattern in nature, often expressed in a mathematical equation, such as Newton's second law of motion (F=ma). In contrast, a scientific theory is broader in scope and aims to explain a group of interconnected phenomena observed in nature. For example, the law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, while the theory of relativity explains how gravity affects time and space. While a scientific law predicts the results of certain initial conditions, a theory tries to provide the most logical explanation about why things happen as they do.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific theory | A description of the natural world that scientists have proven through rigorous testing. Theories seek to serve as a definitive explanation of some aspect of the natural world. |
| Scientific law | Describes a narrower set of conditions. It is a description of an observed phenomenon. It doesn't explain why the phenomenon exists or what causes it. |
| Both are based on tested hypotheses and are supported by a large body of empirical data. | |
| Theories are broader in scope and give overarching explanations of how nature works and why it exhibits certain characteristics. | |
| Theories are supported by evidence from many different sources and may contain one or several laws. | |
| Theories are formed via the scientific method. | |
| Theories are observable and repeatable. | |
| Theories are verifiable and have been verified. | |
| Theories make predictions that could be confirmed or refuted with additional observations. | |
| Theories are often non-mathematical. | |
| Laws are often mathematical descriptions of natural phenomena. |
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What You'll Learn
Scientific laws are descriptive, theories are explanatory
Scientific laws and scientific theories are distinct but related concepts in science. Both are well-supported by observations and/or experimental evidence, and they help unify a particular field. However, they serve different purposes and play different roles in scientific endeavours.
Scientific laws are descriptive accounts of how nature will behave under certain conditions. They are empirical descriptions of a relationship between facts and/or other laws, often framed as mathematical statements or equations. Laws describe what nature does under certain conditions and predict what will happen as long as those conditions are met. They do not, however, explain why the phenomenon described by the law exists or what causes it. For example, Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation states that the force between two bodies is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This law describes the relationship between variables but does not explain what gravity is or how it works.
Scientific theories, on the other hand, are explanatory. They are overarching explanations of how nature works and why it exhibits certain characteristics. Theories explain why we observe what we do in the natural world. They are well-substantiated explanations based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experimentation. Theories make predictions about as-yet unobserved phenomena, which can then be confirmed or refuted with additional observations. For example, the Theory of General Relativity claims that massive objects cause a distortion in space-time, which is experienced as gravity. This theory supplanted Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation by providing an explanation for the phenomenon of gravity.
It is important to note that there is no hierarchy implied by the use of the terms "law" and "theory". A law is not "better than" or "above" a theory, and vice versa. They are simply different tools used by scientists to understand and explain the natural world. Additionally, it is a misconception that theories can turn into laws with enough research or evidence. A theory will always remain a theory, and a law will always remain a law. Both theories and laws could be shown to be wrong or falsified by countervailing evidence.
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Theories are broader, laws are narrower
Scientific theories and scientific laws are similar in character but are not synonymous. Both are based on tested hypotheses, supported by empirical data, and are widely accepted by scientists within a discipline. However, theories are broader in scope and give overarching explanations of how nature works and why it exhibits certain characteristics.
A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of an important feature of nature supported by facts gathered over time. Theories are supported by evidence from many different sources and may contain one or several laws. Theories are expected to make predictions that could be confirmed or refuted with additional observations. Theories tend to be as broad as their supporting scientific evidence will allow. They seek to serve as a definitive explanation of some aspect of the natural world. Albert Einstein described two types of scientific theories: constructive theories, which are constructive models for phenomena, and principle theories, which are empirical generalisations.
A scientific law is a statement that summarises the relationship between variables. It is an empirical description of a relationship between facts and/or other laws. Laws are often mathematical descriptions of natural phenomena. They describe what nature does under certain conditions and will predict what will happen as long as those conditions are met. Laws are descriptive accounts of how nature will behave under certain conditions. They are derived from the data and are an analytic explanation of what happens.
For example, Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation states that the force between two bodies is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. However, it does not explain what gravity is or how it works. This explanation is provided by Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, which claims that massive objects cause a distortion in space-time, which is experienced as gravity.
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Laws are often mathematical, theories are not
While both scientific laws and theories are supported by a large body of empirical evidence, they are not the same thing. Scientific laws are often mathematical descriptions of natural phenomena, whereas theories are non-mathematical. For example, Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation is a mathematical equation that can be used to predict the attraction between bodies, but it does not explain how gravity works.
Theories, on the other hand, are overarching explanations of how nature works and why it exhibits certain characteristics. They are supported by evidence from many different sources and may contain one or several laws. For instance, the theory of gravity explains that things with mass attract one another, and thus there must be some force, which we call gravity, responsible for this.
The distinction between laws and theories is also evident when comparing biology to physics and chemistry. Biology has few laws and more theories because it is challenging to describe the complexities of life using simple mathematical terms. In contrast, physics and chemistry have many "laws" due to their reliance on mathematics.
It is important to note that the terms "law" and "theory" are not hierarchical in science. A law is neither "better than" nor "above" a theory. Instead, they serve different purposes and play distinct roles in the scientific process.
In summary, laws are often mathematical descriptions of natural phenomena, while theories are non-mathematical explanations that seek to understand why these phenomena occur.
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Theories are observable and repeatable
The main difference between a scientific theory and a scientific law is that a theory explains why a phenomenon occurs, while a law describes what happens under certain conditions without addressing the underlying cause. Theories are formed via the scientific method, which involves formulating and testing hypotheses. A hypothesis that is supported by sufficient evidence can become a theory. Theories are observable and repeatable.
Albert Einstein described two types of scientific theories: constructive theories and principle theories. Constructive theories are constructive models for phenomena, while principle theories are empirical generalisations. For example, kinetic theory is a constructive theory, and Newton's laws of motion are principle theories.
For a theory to be accepted in academia, it must be observable and repeatable. This criterion is essential to prevent fraud and perpetuate science. Theories are supported by evidence from many different sources and may contain one or several laws. They are broader in scope and provide overarching explanations of how nature works and why it exhibits certain characteristics.
Theories are also expected to make predictions that can be confirmed or refuted with additional observations. The strength of a theory is related to the diversity of phenomena it can explain and its simplicity. As new evidence is gathered, a theory may be modified or rejected if it cannot be reconciled with the new findings. However, some theories are so well-established that they are unlikely to be fundamentally changed, such as the theory of evolution, heliocentric theory, and cell theory.
In summary, theories are observable and repeatable, and they provide explanations for observed phenomena. They are essential in the scientific process, as they help us understand the underlying causes of natural occurrences.
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Theories are supported by evidence from many sources
Theories and laws are both supported by a large body of empirical evidence that is accepted by the majority of scientists within that area of scientific study. However, they differ in their scope and function. Theories are broader in scope and give overarching explanations of how nature works and why it exhibits certain characteristics. They are supported by evidence from many different sources and may contain one or several laws.
Theories are well-substantiated explanations of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experimentation. They are observable and repeatable. Theories are expected to make predictions that could be confirmed or refuted with additional observations. Theories are also falsifiable or testable, and the relevance and specificity of those predictions determine their potential usefulness.
Theories are not rudimentary ideas that will eventually become laws when enough data and evidence are accumulated. A theory will always remain a theory, and a law will always remain a law. Both theories and laws could be shown to be wrong if there is data to suggest so, or falsified by countervailing evidence.
Theories are so well-established that they are unlikely to be fundamentally changed. For example, scientific theories such as evolution, heliocentric theory, cell theory, the theory of plate tectonics, and germ theory of disease are highly unlikely to be altered.
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Frequently asked questions
A scientific theory is a well-supported explanation of observations. Theories are supported by evidence from many different sources and may contain one or several laws. Theories are broader in scope and give overarching explanations of how nature works and why it exhibits certain characteristics.
A scientific law is a concise statement that describes a consistent and universal pattern observed in nature. These laws summarize the results of many experiments and can usually be expressed in a mathematical form. Laws describe things and predict the results of certain initial conditions.
No. A scientific theory cannot become a scientific law. They are two different types of scientific facts. A theory explains why things happen, while a law describes what happens.
