1. Astronomy deals heavily in theory because many topics cannot be directly studied by humans, such as stars, black holes, and the center of the Earth. 2. During an astronomy class, students may question how theories like the Big Bang became accepted. To understand this, it is important to know the differences between a hypothesis, theory, and law. 3. A hypothesis is an educated guess that can be tested through experiments or observations. A theory summarizes hypotheses that have been supported through repeated testing over time, but can still be disproven with new evidence. A scientific law describes observable patterns and is rarely challenged with exceptions.

1. Hypothesis, Theory and Law

2. Hypothesis, Theory and Law
1. Astronomy is unlike
many other sciences
because many of the
topics (units) deal
heavily in theory. This
is because many of the
topics have yet to be
studied directly by
man.

3. Examples:
Stars
Black holes
Worm holes
Center of the Earth

4. Hypothesis, Theory and Law
2. During the course of
this class, one may
wonder, “How do we
know this?” or become
skeptical of some topics
taught, such as the Big
Bang Theory. To
understand how the
theories introduced in
this class became
theories, we must know
the differences between
a hypothesis, theory and
law.

5. 3. Hypothesis
A hypothesis is an
educated guess, based
on observations. Usually,
a hypothesis can be
supported or refuted
through
experimentation or
more observation. A
hypothesis is a testable
idea. Scientists do not
set out to “prove”
hypotheses, but to test
them

6. Examples
4 out of 5 dentists prefer sugarless gum
Mom won’t care if I break curfew
Ms. Miller won’t care if I am late

7. 4. Theory
A scientific theory summarizes a
hypothesis or group of
hypotheses that have been
supported with repeated testing
over time. A theory is valid as
long as there is no evidence to
dispute it. Therefore, theories
can be disproven. Basically, if
evidence accumulates to support
a hypothesis, then the
hypothesis can become
accepted as a good explanation
of a phenomenon. One
definition of a theory is to say it's
an accepted hypothesis. Theories
may be supported, rejected, or
modified, based on new
evidence.

8. Examples
Atomic Theory
Cell Theory
Evolution
Big Bang Theory
Chaos Theory

9. Law
A law generalizes a body
of observations. At the
time it is made, no
exceptions have been
found to a law. Scientific
laws explain things, but
they do not describe
them. One way to tell a
law and a theory apart is
to ask if the description
gives you a means to
explain ‘why. In addition,
Laws are very rarely
challenged.

10. Example
Law of Conservation of Mass
Laws of Motion
Kepler’s Laws
Conservation of energy