What is a scientific fact and theory? Are the they the same?

Answer 1

The answers given above do not appreciate how scientists use the term "theory". I would challenge any physicist to say that Einstein's theory of relativity, Newton's theory of universal gravitation, etc are only unproven conjectures.

The term missing in this whole discussion is "hypothesis", which is the accurate term for a conjecture, presumption, an unproven scientific concept.

Answer 2

Fact:
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1. Knowledge or information based on real occurrences: an account based on fact; a blur of fact and fancy.
2.
1. Something demonstrated to exist or known to have existed: Genetic engineering is now a fact. That Chaucer was a real person is an undisputed fact.
2. A real occurrence; an event: had to prove the facts of the case.
3. Something believed to be true or real: a document laced with mistaken facts.
3. A thing that has been done, especially a crime: an accessory before the fact.
4. Law. The aspect of a case at law comprising events determined by evidence: The jury made a finding of fact.

Theory:
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1. A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.
2. The branch of a science or art consisting of its explanatory statements, accepted principles, and methods of analysis, as opposed to practice: a fine musician who had never studied theory.
3. A set of theorems that constitute a systematic view of a branch of mathematics.
4. Abstract reasoning; speculation: a decision based on experience rather than theory.
5. A belief or principle that guides action or assists comprehension or judgment: staked out the house on the theory that criminals usually return to the scene of the crime.
6. An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture.

Answer 3

A scientific fact is an observation that has been confirmed repeatedly and is accepted as true.

A theory is a concept that is not yet verified but if true would explain certain facts.

So they are NOT the same.

Differences- a scientific fact is just something that they think is true and it has been accepted as the truth. A theory is just something that they think is true but not yet proclaimed true.

Hope I helped!

Answer 4

theory is something proposed to explain a phenomena.
fact is a theory that was proofed by scientific experimets.