In everyday life, we often use the word theory to mean a hypothesis or educated guess, but a theory in the context of science is not simply a guess—it is an explanation based on extensive and repeated experimentation. He hadwritten to solicit from Einstein a few supportive words on behalf ofhis efforts to introduce “as much of the philosophy of scienceas possible” into the modern physics course that he was to teachthe following spring (Thornton to Einstein… A hypothesis is a proposition which requires testing. If you ever stop to wonder why some fundamental process happens the way it does, it will most likely be a scientific theory that has the answer you seek. And it’s not the job of theories to become facts—they use available facts to make sense of a broad concept. That’s because a theory is not just a single answer but a consistent system of many, many answers backed by supporting evidence. Scientific Hypothesis, Model, Theory, and Law, What Is an Experiment? Facts are irrefutable, while a contrary result may disprove a theory. a systematic or scientific explanation: [ U ] Adele took a course in modern political theory. If observations and tests support a theory, it becomes stronger and usually more scientists will accept it. As a hypothetical example, Darwin used North American black bears, which were known to catch insects by swimming in the water with their mouths open:\"I can see no difficulty in a race of bears being rendered, by natural selection, more aquatic in their structure and habits, with larg… We Asked, You Answered. Understanding II. Therefore, theories can be disproven. Scientific theories shape our understanding of topics in many different fields, from medicine to biology to astrophysics. Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. Both theories and laws may be used to make predictions about natural behavior. In everyday life, we often use the word theory to mean a hypothesis or educated guess, but a theory in the context of science is not simply a guess—it is an explanation based on extensive and repeated experimentation. A theory is a well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world that can incorporate laws, hypotheses and facts. In common usage, the word "theory" means something very different. Research to understand (pure research) B. Theory (noun, “THEER-ee”) This is an explanation about the way the natural world works. theory on something theories on human behaviour Research to solve a particular problem (applied research) C. Dispensing solutions (practitioner / technologist) III. Describe 2020 In Just One Word? A scientific theory is an explanation for why things work or how things happen. [ C ] I have a theory (= an … (See Big Bang theory, evolution, and relativity.) C. a well-tested prediction that is accepted in some countries but rejected in others. A theory in science (in contrast to a theory in layman's terms) is "a logical, systematic set of principles or explanation that has been verified—has stood up against attempts to prove it false". Scientific theories are testable and falsifiable. They involve different explanations for how acids and bases work (e.g., hydrogen ion transfer, proton transfer, electron transfer). scientific/economic theory The theories were tested on a sample of the population. Theory Defined. Its equations are much easier to work with, so Newtonian mechanics remains in use for general physics. A theory is more general and better verified than a hypothesis. In everyday use, the word "theory" often means an untested hunch, or a guess without supporting evidence. “Affect” vs. “Effect”: Use The Correct Word Every Time. Find more ways to say theory, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. Both models and theory may be used to make predictions and develop hypotheses. In common usage, the word theory means just a hunch, but in science, a theory is a powerful explanation for a broad set of observations. In science, an explanation or model that covers a substantial group of occurrences in nature and has been confirmed by a substantial number of experiments and observations. Definition of Science I. A hypothesis, unlike a thoroughly tested scientific theory, is an educated guess that has not yet been fully tested or subjected to research. Theories are the result of many tested hypotheses. Theories are based on ideas that can be tested. A scientific law describes a scientific observation but doesn’t attempt to say why or how it happens, whereas a scientific theory explains exactly why or how it happens. A scientific theory is a well-tested, broad explanation of a natural phenomenon. Noun 1. scientific theory - a theory that explains scientific observations; "scientific theories must be falsifiable" big bang theory, big-bang theory - the... Scientific theory - definition of scientific theory by The Free Dictionary theory about something He developed a new theory about the cause of stomach ulcers. Models and theories share common elements, but a theory both describes and explains while a model simply describes. The scientific method, which is central to developing scientific theories, was formalized by 17th-century philosopher Francis Bacon, who was inspired by the many scientists who came before him and developed their own scientific theories (even if they didn’t call them that). Technological applications based on the manipulations of light include lasers, holography, and fibre-optic telecommunications systems.. Yet, at ordinary speeds, Newtonian mechanics accurately explains and predicts real-world behavior. The theory of relativity was proposed to better explain mechanics. something suggested as a reasonable explanation for facts, a condition, or an event, esp. However, in science, a theory is a well-substantiated explanation or a set of statements that have been confirmed over the course of many independent experiments. What Is The Difference Between “It’s” And “Its”? That is, it's possible a theory might be disproven. It must be consistent with existing experimental results and able to predict outcomes at least as accurately as any existing theories. Hypotheses also tend to be very specific, whereas scientific theories are sweeping explanations that cover a wide range of questions about a phenomenon. 8 people chose this as the best definition of theory: An unproven concept.... See the dictionary meaning, pronunciation, and sentence examples. However, not all discarded theories are useless. D. a comprehensive explanation that uses facts repeatedly proven in many experiments and is accepted by the vast majority of scientists. Goals of Science A. One example of this is germ theory, developed by scientists in the 1800s. In other words, it must be possible to test a theory at some point. Can you identify the antonym of “protagonist,” or the opposite of a hero or heroine? Examples include: There are certain criteria which must be fulfilled for a description to be a theory. The theory of evolution, for example, explains the incremental changes of all life forms on Earth over billions of years.