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3. '''Use of the hypothesis to predict the existence of other phenomena, or to predict the results of new observations.''' (To see whether my hypothesis holds true, I predict that any object that is less dense than water will float and any object more dense than water will sink; I test various objects that are more or less dense than water by putting them in a tub.)
 
3. '''Use of the hypothesis to predict the existence of other phenomena, or to predict the results of new observations.''' (To see whether my hypothesis holds true, I predict that any object that is less dense than water will float and any object more dense than water will sink; I test various objects that are more or less dense than water by putting them in a tub.)
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4. '''Replication of the experiments and results by independent experimenters.''' (rather than take my word for it, my neighbors try the same experiment and look for any flaws in my methodology)  
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4. '''Replication of the experiments and results by independent experimenters.''' (rather than take my word for it, my neighbors try the same experiment and look for any flaws in my methodology).
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Mathematical derivations are also commonly used to support a theory and predict results, but only an experiment can provide conclusive evidence (relativity, for example, could not have been predicted by math alone).
    
==Scientific treatment of theories and facts==
 
==Scientific treatment of theories and facts==
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- If a theory has no proof it remains an abstract concept, that will not be thought in schools.
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1) If a theory has no proof it remains an abstract concept, that will not be thought in schools.
    
     Example: String theory in physics has not yet been proven.
 
     Example: String theory in physics has not yet been proven.
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- If a theory can never be proven or disproven it is not considered to be scientific and science will
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2) If a theory can never be proven or disproven it is not considered to be scientific and science
  not study it.  
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  will not study it.  
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     Example: the existence of God(s) can never be proven or disproven.
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     Example: the existence of God(s) can never be proven or disproven by scientific experiments,
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    and/or mathematical derivation.
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- If a theory can never be proven but it CAN be disproven by at least one repeatable scientific
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3) If a theory can never be proven but it CAN be disproven by at least one repeatable scientific
  experiment the theory will be considered to be false.  
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  experiment the theory will be considered to be false.  
    
     Example: YEC can be disproven through examining DNA which tells the biological history of   
 
     Example: YEC can be disproven through examining DNA which tells the biological history of   
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     - Therefore we know the Earth has to be many thousands of years old.
 
     - Therefore we know the Earth has to be many thousands of years old.
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- If a theorycan be proven by at least one repeatable scientific experiment it will be considered a
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4) If a theorycan be proven by at least one repeatable scientific experiment it will be considered a
  scientific fact.
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  scientific fact.
    
     Example 1: The Earth is round because that shape is consistent with the laws of gravitation and
 
     Example 1: The Earth is round because that shape is consistent with the laws of gravitation and
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