In three to five sentences, describe how scientists use deductive and inductive reasoning to support the idea that water on Earth may have come from comets.

1 answer

Scientists use deductive reasoning to support the idea that water on Earth may have come from comets by making logical conclusions based on established facts and theories. For example, they know that comets are composed of ice, and water is abundant in comets. Therefore, they deduce that if comets collided with Earth in the past, it is plausible that they brought water with them. Additionally, scientists use inductive reasoning by examining and analyzing evidence such as the isotopic composition of water on Earth, which is similar to that of comets. By observing these similarities, they infer that water on Earth might have originated from comets.