Changes

A theory is a logically self-consistent model or framework for describing the behavior of a related set of natural or social phenomena. It originates from and/or is supported by experimental evidence (see [[scientific method]]). In this sense, a theory is a systematic and formalized expression of all previous observations that is predictive, logical and testable. In principle, scientific theories are always tentative, and subject to corrections or inclusion in a yet wider theory. Commonly, a large number of more specific hypotheses may be logically bound together by just one or two theories. As a general rule for use of the term, theories tend to deal with much broader sets of universals than do hypotheses, which ordinarily deal with much more specific sets of phenomena or specific applications of a theory.

A Scientific Theory is a model or framework for describing the behavior of a related set of natural or social phenomena. It originates from, and is supported by experimental evidence (see [[Scientific Method]]). A Scientific Theory is meant to be a formalized expression of all related accepted scientific evidence up to the point of its creation.  A Scientific Theory must be falsifiable, and thus is treated as fact only for the period in which its truthfulness is not disputed with repeatable observations.

 

Unlike the use of '[[theory]]' in common speech, a Scientific Theory does not represent an unsubstantiated guess, but instead a well-supported and accepted model. A [[Scientific Hypothesis]] is more closely related to the common usage of '[[theory]'.  A Scientific Hypothesis typically deals with much more specific sets of phenomena or specific applications of a theory.  Many supported hypotheses go into the development and support of a theory.

 

A widely accepted scientific model which is absolute, and has never been disproved by repeatable observations is considered a [[Scientific Law]].  Examples of [[Scientific Law]]s include Boyle's Law, and the conservation laws in classical mechanics.  Laws are typically a single mathematical equation, and provide the foundation for problem solving in the [[Natural Sciences]].