Facts, laws, and theories all work together in science:
- Facts provide the observations and data.
- Laws summarize patterns in those facts.
- Theories explain why those patterns exist.
Example: Gravity
- Fact: Objects fall to the ground.
- Law: Newton’s law of gravitation describes the mathematical relationship between mass and gravitational force.
- Theory: Einstein’s theory of general relativity explains why gravity happens (warping of space-time).
| Fact | Law | Theory |
|---|---|---|
| An observation or measurement that is consistent and verifiable. | A description of a consistent pattern or relationship in nature (often mathematical). | An explanation of why and how something happens, based on evidence and reasoning. |
| Example: ”Species change over time.” | Example: Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in genetics. | Example: Theory of evolution by natural selection. |
| Does not change into a law or theory. | Does not change into a fact or theory. | Does not change into a fact or law. |
| concept |