WEEK 9 - FACT, HYPOTHESIS, THEORY, LAW

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        There are a lot of people have a misconception about the hypothesis, theory and law. They think that the nature of science stating from hypothesis then become theories which in turn become a law. It is a widespread false belief, especially among students. Thus, students need to know the differences between facts, hypothesis, theory and law. Fact, hypothesis, theory and law are actually types or categories of scientific explanation. 

• Facts is a stated observation. To understand our natural world, we need a scientific explanation that based on observation or experiment. We can give as many explanations as possible. For example, it is bright outside. The possible explanation is that the sun is probably up.

• A hypothesis is an educated guess which could be investigated. A scientific hypothesis is a hypothesis that could be tested and able to correctly predict what will happen in a situation. A hypothesis is uncertain because it is easy to change.

• The theory is an explanation based on extensive evidence. They are not predictions because it explains why we observe something. It can indeed be facts because theories are very supportive and able to describe so many results satisfactorily that is unlikely to change. Theories might change, but it's a long and hard process. For a theory to change, there must be many observations or evidence that the theory cannot explain. Being a scientific theory carries much weight because it is not just the idea of one person about something. That's why you learn the theory then law. 

• Law is a description of observable phenomena. Scientific laws indicate a relation of cause and effect between the observed elements and must always apply under the same conditions. A scientific law is simple and often valid. It is usually in the form of mathematical since it explains how things happen as they are. It's not explaining why it does happen.