Question

Which of these statements is correct about a scientific law?

It describes specific relationships which change over time.

It describes specific relationships under given conditions.

It offers an explanation of specific relationships under given conditions.

It offers an explanation of specific relationships which change over time.

Answer 1

thanks!

Answer 2

This is good to know! It gives meaning to gravitational laws, and others!

So it's good to know what they are.

It's the second one, if you have to pick one.
Laws are observations that are repeated over and over - and the observation must be the same when the circumstances are the same.
They're pretty much.. "This is true as far as we can tell!"

Laws don't EXPLAIN anything. They STATE something. Theories are thoughts on how things work.

How things change over time - those are rates. Rates can be used in laws and theories. But neither laws nor theories are limited to discussion of rates.

Answer 3

I insist it is #2, if you must pick one! Let's discuss this if there is any doubt!

Here's the first definition on Google found - from Wikipedia (not the most reliable, but I think this is alright and I can find more):
"A scientific law is a statement based on repeated experimental observations that describes some aspect of the world"

Answer 4

okay i picked 2

Answer 5

thanks

Answer 6

Wait, I might be wrong!

Answer 7

how?

Answer 8

i tried it it said it was right

Answer 9

It is #3! I guess I was just taught wrong... I searched for more definitions, that suggest laws explain theories....
Now I have doubt!

Answer 10

... >.<

Answer 11

I think it is #2 actually.
And now I trust About.com less.

Answer 12

...

Answer 13

I stand behind number 2.
@SmileyMan any comments?

Answer 14

i undo ed your best response, you confuse me

Answer 15

We have laws we don't have explanations for.
I understand your actions.
To clarify, I believed it was #2, before doing research. Then a reputable site mislead me, and made me think the answer was three. However, nearly every other source implied that #2 is the correct answer.

Answer 16

@theEric It's #2. A scientific law is described by #2, while a scientific theory is described by #3.

Answer 17

@SmileyMan Thank you!
So there you have it. We both agree it's number 2.

Answer 18

It's a a pretty stupid question where the correct answer comes down to frustrating semantics.

Answer 19

thank you!!! haha wouldnt it be funny if it was like 1 or 4

Answer 20

Haha, well, it's the difference between law and theory. That's very important! And rates are just a small part of both.

Answer 21

Oh, it better not be 1 or 4!!! :)

Answer 22

Better be two :)

Answer 23

help with my others! please