Misconception about Theories and Laws (Nature of Science) - Essay Example

Misconceptions about theories and laws Systematic organization of information and knowledge in science results in the development of such elements as laws, theories and hypothesis all of which refer to different aspects of the discipline. Scientific laws and scientific theories have numerous similarities especially in terms of global acceptance of both and given the fact that both rely on explicit explanations. However, scientific theories are different from scientific laws. In fact, scientific theories may not always influence the formation of scientific laws as the discussion below portrays.

The lack of absolute truth in science validates the existence of laws. Laws in science refer to systematically generalized observation. From such observations, scientists make particular patterns thus developing a law on the behavior and manifestation of the observations (Hanzel 121). Scientific laws have no exceptions; such is a vital feature that proves scientific laws. The law of gravity is one of the most phenomenal scientific laws. In making the law, Isaac Newton observed the behavior of falling objects.

He observes that objects must always fall and that their speed intensifies as they near the ground. His theory can only predict that objects must always fall to the ground. However, the theory does not explain why they fall. Scientific theories on the other hand are summaries of existing and tested hypothesis. Scientific theories rely on the quality of the supporting tests that prove their factuality. This implies that a scientific theory survive only for as long as there is no any other evidence to disprove them.

With effective supporting evidence, a theory explains a phenomenon. Such is a major difference between a theory and a law. Scientific laws predict phenomenon while theories explain the phenomenon. The two are therefore interrelated but each exists and functions independently with its own set of supporting evidence. Among the most common scientific theories is the big bang theory (Gregersen 66). The theory explains the origin of the earth by explaining that the universe formed 14million years ago following an event of gigantic expansion.

Numerous scientists have researched the theory and found substantial evidence to prove its factuality. In 1965 for example, Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson discovered radiations arising from cosmic microwave they believe arose from the expansion process. In retrospect, theories and laws are distinct bodies of knowledge in science. The two have systematic evidence to prove their existence. As explained earlier, theories explain phenomena such as the origin of the universe. Such a theory will never become a law since the universe is single entity and the scientists will not have any other to observe.

Scientists can build pressure in an attempt to recreate small universes but such has not been the case. Scientific laws on the other hand help predict phenomena (Giere 43). Owing to Newton’s law of gravity, it became common knowledge that anybody released in the atmosphere must always fall. Fall is a progressive process characterized with acceleration as the body nears the ground. This way, a theory remains instrumental in using its supporting evidence to explain phenomena. They can never become scientific laws.

In fact, with adequate evidence one can disapprove a scientific theory unlike scientific laws that are definite in their application in predicting phenomena (Krebs 77).Works citedGiere, Ronald N. Scientific Perspectivism. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2006. Internet resource. Gregersen, Erik. The Universe: A Historical Survey of Beliefs, Theories, and Laws. New York, NY: Britannica Educational Pub. in association with Rosen Educational Services, 2010. Internet resource.

Hanzel, Igor. The Concept of Scientific Law in the Philosophy of Science and Epistemology: A Study of Theoretical Reason. Dordrecht [u.a.: Kluwer, 1999. Print.Krebs, Robert E. Scientific Laws, Principles, and Theories: A Reference Guide. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 2001. Print.