How does theory become accepted as fact when it is still called a theory?

Answer 1

First of all, when a scientists calls something a 'theory', the meaning is different than when a regular person calls something a 'theory'. For a scientist, a 'theory' is something much more than a simple hypothesis. It is a coherent assembly of observations and explanations that works in a wide variety of situations. The difference between a scientific theory and a 'fact' is pretty minimal. The next level up from a 'theory' is a 'law' which is something that is even more encompassing.

It is also the case that when a theory become substantiated enough to be called a law (the Law of Gravity), it is often thew case that people are accustomed to calling it a theory, so that terminology remains. So, so example, Quantum Theory is one of the best proved facts about the universe that we have. Similarly, the Theory of Evolution is a fact substantiated by many, many observations. The only reason either is called a theory rather than a law is tradition.

Answer 2

a theory never becomes accepted as fact

even where a theory has been verified zillions of times, good scientists will continue to feel that it is a theory that has worked until now, meaning that no examples have been found where it failed.

when/if such examples are found, sometimes the theory has to be abandoned, bust most often it can still be used, only not in all situations.

for example, Newtonian gravity says that masses attract each other, that if one mass is made 2x bigger then the force will be 2x bigger (so an object w/o mass will not be affected by gravity), and that if the distance is doubled, the force will be 4x smaller. And that gravity travels instantaneously through space. And that we don't know why this is.

And it works just fine and dandy for most situations, including sending probes to orbit distant planets.

But, for example, it can be observed that light is bent by gravity, and that there exist black holes, from which light cannot escape. This does not fit with Newtonian gravitation theory.

So for such cases we have come to adopt Einstein's theory of gravitation. This states that gravitation is actually space-time, deformed by masses. Which means that even objects without mass, such as light, will follow a curved path in the presence of a (heavy) mass.

But again, Newton's theory remains fine for most uses, with the benefit that it is way simpler so that anyone can make simple calculations with a three line spreadsheet.

As for Einstein's theory, it is much more complex but it predicts the same results as Newton's theory for most situations, and on top of that it predicts different results for some special situations. This is currently the accepted theory.

But it also does not work for all situations. For example it predicts that black holes will concentrate down to a point of infinite density, and nothing in the physical world is infinite.

So we know that another theory is needed, that would properly handle this case. Physicists have been trying to develop such a theory for decades now, but until now, unsuccessfully.

Hope this helps a bit?

A

Answer 3

Dad is right. A theory is an explaination that weaves together a bunch of facts and makes testable predictions. So theories can change to fit new facts, but facts remain the same. Also a Law is NOT a theory that has become accepted as fact. A Law kind of like an axiom in mathematics. The only difference is that a Law is based upon observation.

Answer 4

A theory becomes accepted as fact by the scientific community when experimental data tends to support it over a long period of time. If there is the possibility that an exception exists to the rule, it remains a theory, because while it appears to work, it may not be universal. A theory that is proven through numerous experiments and empirical data without finding any exceptions and without any real debate about it can be declared a law. For instance, the Universal Law of Gravitation only started out as Newton's theory, but became accepted as a law after a long time because everyone agreed it was fact (they just don't know exactly what gravity is, but that's another topic)

Answer 5

An interesting question, but actually, a theory never really gets out of the theory stage. Once it becomes widely accepted belief in the theory gets so strong that most people accept it as a fact, but scientifically, it's still a theory. Take E = MC^2 , which in popular culture is regarded as a fact. Mathematicians regularly find that the formula might not be as accurate as thought, throwing doubt on this 'fact'. Proving Einstein wrong, and getting the scientific community to believe you, I theorize that will be almost impossible.

Answer 6

"Theory" must be categorically different for subject matter that cannot be proven.
Quantum physics for example, is a theoretical science, which is why its called Quantum Theory. A theory in Quantum physics is normal and will remain so until humans advance technology to a point where Quantum Theory can be measured and tested.

Evolution is a theory within Biological Sciences. Biology can be observed with our technology, it is not a theoretical science. Therefore there will be theory, followed by observations, followed by adaptation of the theory, until we arrive at real accepted facts (or laws if you want to call them that). A theory in the Biological Sciences that has survived for 150 years with no more evidence then the day it was published, should be seen as in dire need of adaptation. Nobody denies microevolution, it can be proven. The Theory of Evolution however, relies upon macroevolution, which has never been observed after all this time. The missing link is still missing. In fact our modern science gives us many reasons to doubt the tenets of the theory of Evolution.

A Scientist who views the Theory of Evolution as incontrovertible is no different then a religious zealot.

Answer 7

Because the word "theory" is spoken English has a different meaning to the word "Theory" in the science of vocabulary. In spoken English, anyone can have a theory about anything, it just means they have an idea about how something may work.

In science, the word "Theory" is applied to the formulated explanation for something which has been accepted by the broad scientific community as being "the most logically consistent" explanation, but not yet become what science calls a "Law", which is what a working Theory becomes when it becomes universally testable.

Answer 8

A theory is not a fact. A theory is based on facts. A theory is an explanation that best fits the facts and has withstood the test of time, reproducible experimentation, and credible peer review. As with all science, a theory can be changed when new evidence, facts, arise that require a change in understanding. Religion on the other hand does not allow for change in response to facts.

Answer 9

a THEORY still have on-going discussion regarding whether it is acceptable or not.

on the other hand, a LAW is a theory which has already being accepted as a fact.

example of theory: Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.
example of law: Ohm's law.

Answer 10

When there is enough evidence to back up a theory, it is no longer called a theory.