Whats an example of a theory? (I dont get it)?

Answer 1

There are three words which have distinct meanings in science, but that non-scientists often confuse with each other.

A fact is an objectively observed event like "I let go of my book, and it fell on the floor". Astronomer1980 is incorrect to claim "if you drop something, it will fall" is a fact, since he made a *generalization* about falling instead of referring to a particular event.

A hypothesis is any proposition you wish to make whatsoever, regardless of credibility, like "I can prevent this book from falling after I release it using the power of my mind". The general presumption is, though, that, being a good scientist, you wish to test it.

A theory is a hypothesis, usually of a general nature, that has been experimentally tested, and seems to be valid, at least within a limited range of applicability, like "If I drop any object denser than air above the ground on earth, then it will fall to the ground". The best theories are the most general ones, like the theory of gravity from with such less general predictions are implied.

That's about it. A theory can alway potentially be disproven, but never proven since there is always the possibility of an exception being found some day. It never graduates into a "fact" because that's a completely different catagory of proposition altogether (it refers to a specific observable event).

Answer 2

A theory is a self-consistent explanation of a phenomenon that is consistent with all (or nearly all) of the observed data. In science there is no absolute proof because a counterexample of what you are discussing always lurks just around the next corner; consequently, for most complex phenomena we tend to speak of "theories" as opposed to "facts".

The word "fact" is usually reserved for objectively observed data, e.g. the fact that if you drop something it will fall, or the fact that the sun rose in the east this morning. But the explanation of a large, complex collection of facts is generally called a theory, even if it is very well established. So relativity is a "theory": it explains many natural phenomena and is consistent with all the observations. Ditto evolution (despite what the creationist crazies try to tell you).

Theories can be disproven. The Big Bang is a theory that is consistent with a very wide variety of physical observations about the structure of the universe. It looks very good right now. Nonetheless, the phenomena are so complex that we cannot rule out the possibility that it will eventually be replaced by a more comprehensive theory that better explains everything we see.

Does that help?

Answer 3

A theory would be the simple "The shortest distance between two points is a straight line". Obviously that is something we all know to be true, because no one has ever proved differently.

But because it is possible that this may not be true, it's a theory until we know for sure. Until then, it's a theory or theorum in the case of geometry.

Answer 4

A Theory is NOT a proved fact. We have an idea we feel is true, but, can not prove the idea.
Example; I theorize there is life on/in Europa, it a moon around Jupiter.
http://www.resa.net/nasa/europa_life.htm
The reason is, I feel there may be Volcanic activity in the core. We have learned that deep in our oceans where at first they believed nothing lived, now has life as the water is warm from Volcanic emissions that warm the water miles down. Now, what I have is a Theory from the information we have here on Earth. I can not prove my theory, but, it can not be disproved either.

Answer 5

a theory is a proof of something base on observation, analysis,..... A theory is not always 100% true but there are many evidences to support it.

ex: Big Bang theoery. (sorry, can't think of any others)

Answer 6

evolution