A scientific law
A) contains an explanation of observations.
B) must have a mathematical formula.
C) is a brief statement that summarizes past observations and makes predictions.
D) cannot be modified.
E) is subject to change via legal action.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: C) is a brief statement that summarizes past observations and makes predictions.
Explanation:
A scientific law is a concise description of a natural phenomenon or pattern that has been consistently observed in experiments and nature. It summarizes a large set of empirical data and helps predict what will happen under specific conditions. Importantly, scientific laws do not explain why something happens—that is the role of scientific theories.
Let’s analyze the options:
- A) contains an explanation of observations.
This describes a scientific theory, not a law. Theories explain why phenomena occur, while laws describe what happens. - B) must have a mathematical formula.
Many scientific laws can be expressed mathematically (e.g., Newton’s laws of motion, Boyle’s law), but not all laws necessarily have a formula. Some laws are stated verbally but still summarize observed regularities. - C) is a brief statement that summarizes past observations and makes predictions.
This is the best definition of a scientific law. It captures consistent relationships observed in nature and is useful for predicting future occurrences. - D) cannot be modified.
Scientific laws are based on the best available evidence, but if new evidence contradicts the law, it can be revised or replaced. Science is always open to change based on new data. - E) is subject to change via legal action.
This is unrelated to science. Scientific laws are not legal statutes and have no connection to legal processes.
Additional Notes:
Scientific laws are fundamental tools in science. For example, the law of conservation of mass states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. This law summarizes what is consistently observed but doesn’t explain why mass is conserved — that’s addressed by theories related to atomic structure.
In summary, scientific laws provide reliable, succinct descriptions of natural patterns and are vital in predicting outcomes in science and engineering. However, they do not explain the underlying causes, and they remain open to revision if new evidence arises.