Question

3) Classify the following statements as either a theory (T), a fact (F), a law (L), a

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Before answering the questions, it is important to define these given terms:

1. Theory: a theory can best be simply defined as an explanation of a phenomenon usually drawn from careful observation.
2. Fact: fact is a proven information that has been known to exist or occur.
3. Law: scientific laws are usually mathematical expressions that seeks to explain a certain observation with some exceptions.
4. Belief: it is an ideology based on wether a thing exists or not.
5. Hypothesis: It is simply a scientific guess or an untested idea.

a) There are 2 countries in North America: Belief

The idea that there are just two countries in North America is wrong. A person might choose to hold on to this false knowledge despite strong evidence that can annul this system of reasoning. He or she might be coming from the point view that in terms of economic prowess, there are just two countries in North America. This is more of a belief.

b) If I jump out a window I will die: belief.

This is more of a belief, there is nothing to prove that if one jumps out of a window, death is inevitable.

c) Through the process of natural selection humans, chimpanzees and

gorillas evolved from a common ancestor species.: Theory

This is a theory that seeks to provide a scientific basis to evolution. To come to this conclusion, observations have been made on humans, chimpanzees and gorillas.

d) Energy can be converted into matter in ratio of E=mc² : Law

This is a scientific law which has been simplified in form of mathematical expression to show the relationship between mass energy.

e) Canada is the greatest country on earth: Belief

This is a mere belief. Almost every Canadian can attest to this assertion. It is a thing of national pride and loyal for one to belief their country is the greatest.

f) Illness comes from microscopic germs, some of which, bacteria can be

seen under the microscope and cultivated outside a host, and others,

viruses, are too small to see under the microscope: Fact

It is a proven fact that germs causes diseases.

Answer 2

Answer:

a) Belief; b) Belief, c) Theory; d) Law; e) Belief; f) Hypothesis

Explanation:

1) The steps involved in scientific method are: a) a researcher make an observation of a process or system; b) he/she make an hypothesis, it means a statement that describes something about the process/system observed; c) Hyphothesis is tested trough experimentation d) During and after experimentation, the researcher makes observations; e) Conclusions are made from the analysis of results; f) A theory that explains the process is made, based on observations and tested trough experimentation. A theory is postulated as a possible explanation, that can change and be replaced in the future.

3) A Law is a statement or equation that exactly describes the relation between different variables and that is universally valid.

2) In constrast, a belief is something that people think but is not supported by knowledge.

Based on this information:

a) is a belief, because someone can think that there are only two countries in North América, but actually there are more than that.

b) is a belief, because we don´t know what will happen.

c) Is a theory, something that was tested trough experimentation and that is already accepted as possible.

d) This is a law, that relates energy with mass.

e) Is a belief too, because someone can think that but there are bigger countries.

f) This could be an hypothesis that needs to be tested trough experimentation.