Now “law” is a strong word to use—the highest level to which an explanation can aspire to reach, as it were.
Just a small quibble, but actually “theory” is higher than “law”...
Here’s how America’s National Academy of Science defines some basic terms, as used in science:
Fact : In science, an observation that has been repeatedly confirmed.
Law : A descriptive generalization about how some aspect of the natural world behaves under stated circumstances.
Hypothesis : A testable statement about the natural world that can be used to build more complex inferences and explanations.
Theory : In science, a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that can incorporate facts, laws, inferences, and tested hypotheses.
Just a small quibble, but actually “theory” is higher than “law”...
Here’s how America’s National Academy of Science defines some basic terms, as used in science:
Fact : In science, an observation that has been repeatedly confirmed.
Law : A descriptive generalization about how some aspect of the natural world behaves under stated circumstances.
Hypothesis : A testable statement about the natural world that can be used to build more complex inferences and explanations.
Theory : In science, a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that can incorporate facts, laws, inferences, and tested hypotheses.
I read that initially as “America’s Notional Academy of Science” and spit coffee on my keyboard.
Really need to see an optometrist.
Good point, thanks!