a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena
most logical explanation of events that occur in nature
Theories:
propose a central idea that connects observations.
allow one to make predictions.
encourage experimentation.
suggest testable hypotheses.
may be refuted then modified or abandoned.
are never proven.
must account for all observations.
cannot be easily tested. (once easily and widely tested, theories become laws)
Comments on Theories:
Multiple theories may exist simultaneously.
A limited or poor theory may be better than having no operational theories.
The basic activity of science is experimenting to support or refute scientific theories.
All scientific theories are subject to being refuted and abandoned.
No theories are sacred or beyond challenge.
Some Modern Theories:
The "Big-Bang" theory.
Quantum model of the atom.
Einstein's special and general theories of relativity
Nemesis theory for dinosaur extinction.
Plate tectonics (has become widely accepted recently).
