Here’s the breakdown of each statement:
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Can be modified if new evidence or information arises - scientific theory
- Scientific theories can be updated or modified based on new evidence, while scientific laws are generally accepted as universal truths once established.
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Often represented by a mathematical formula - scientific law
- Scientific laws often have mathematical representations (like the law of gravity), while theories can also involve mathematics but are not primarily defined by it.
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Explains how a natural phenomenon works - scientific theory
- Scientific theories are designed to explain why and how phenomena occur, whereas laws describe what happens under certain conditions.
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Describes a relationship that always occurs under specific conditions - scientific law
- Scientific laws describe consistent and universal relationships or patterns that occur in nature under defined conditions.
To summarize:
- Can be modified if new evidence or information arises: scientific theory
- Often represented by a mathematical formula: scientific law
- Explains how a natural phenomenon works: scientific theory
- Describes a relationship that always occurs under specific conditions: scientific law