Sorry to disagree, but I thought there could be a much simpler and shorter
explanation that is quite accurate.




Hypothesis:  Explanation why prior to any substantial testing of the
explanation.  e.g.,  if I drop this ball, it will fall at a constant rate of
acceleration.

Theory:  Explanation why after reviewing most available data regarding the
phenomena.  e.g., every ball I and all of my colleagues have observed to
fall appeared to fall at a constant rate of acceleration.

Law:  Explanation why after rigorously testing as many cases as possible
through experiment.  Usually requires multiple independent experiments.  Can
take quie a bit of time.  e.g., in my lab, several of us have dropped many
different balls of different sizes, shapes, weights, and materials, and
measured the rate of acceleration using different techniques and the rate of
acceleration has been constant.  Then a lab in Holland repeated a host of
similar experiments and reported the same results.

In mathematics development of a law from theory is done with proof rather
than through experiment.  Proof is a logical construct in which every step
is based on prior proofs.



___________________________
Richard Haimann, P.E.
mailto:[log in to unmask]
http://www.haimann.com



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion forum for environmental ethics.
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Lisa Dangutis
> Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2002 11:50 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Query of the day?
>
>
> Hi Steve,
>
>    I think you should publish that answer! That's beautiful.
>
>
>
> In a message dated 02/10/02 2:13:08 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> [log in to unmask]
> writes:
>
> > Probably the best way is to use the scientific method as a
> means to tell the
> >  differences. The scientific method begins with observation and
> description
> >  of a phenomenon or group of phenomena. This is data
> collection. Following
> >  that you is the formulation of an hypothesis to explain the
> phenomena. In
> >  physics, the hypothesis often takes the form of a causal mechanism or a
> >  mathematical relation. You then use the hypothesis to predict
> the existence
> >  of other phenomena, or to predict the results of new
> observations. This is
> >  usually the stage at which there are experimental tests of predictions
> >  generated by the hypothesis. The experimental tests are
> usually carried out
> >  by several independent experimenters. If the experiments fail
> to falsify
> the
> >  hypothesis and tend to support it, the hypothesis may come to
> be regarded
> as
> >  a theory or law The difference between a law and a theory is that in a
> >  theory there is always the possibility that it will be disproved or
> >  falsified. A theory is a hypothesis or group of hypotheses
> that have been
> >  repeatedly confirmed by experiments. A law tends to be those
> big things of
> >  science, like gravity or such which are generally regarded as fact, and
> >  cannot be disproved or falsified. In some fields, Biology for example,
> there
> >  aren't any real laws per se. Three that sort of qualify are
> DNA/RNA as a
> >  means of information transfer, ATP as an energy source, and Evolution
> >  through Natural Selection. Even those are probably not really
> laws in the
> >  sense of Planck's Constant or some mathematical laws.
> >
> >  One of the problems is that common usage of theory has come to mean a
> "fuzzy
> >  idea" or "pipe dream." You often hear, for example "Evolution is just a
> >  theory!." The term theory should, properly, be reserved to mean those
> issues
> >  of science which are very nearly fact or law, but which still have the
> >  potential of being disproved or falsified.
> >
> >  Well, that's how I learnt it in the late Pleistocene.
> >
> >  Steven
> >
> >  But the proper response to this hypothesis
> >  is that there are always people willing to
> >  believe anything, however implausible, merely
> >  in order to be contrary.
> >                               Vikram Seth
> >                               A Suitable Boy
> >
> >
> >
> >  -----Original Message-----
> >  From: Discussion forum for environmental ethics.
> >  [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Lisa Dangutis
> >  Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2002 10:56 AM
> >  To: [log in to unmask]
> >  Subject: Query of the day?
> >
> >
> >  What is the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific
> >  law?
> >
> >  I know it sounds like a simple question, but I was wondering
> >  your answers.
> >
> >  Sincerely,
> >  Lisa Dangutis
> >
> >
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> >  Subject:      Re: Query of the day?
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