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The scientific definition of a "

theory" is an experimentally

verified "hypothesis" or idea. A "

law" is a mathematical formula

that describes the theory and

experimental understanding in

terms of equations and/or logical

constructs.

A person will have a hypothesis

about a phenomenon and

structure a logical experiment to

test the hypothesis. This test has

to be both falsifiable and

verifiable. Meaning, that the

results must show unquestionably

whether the theory is true or

false. Of course, there have been

many situations when an

experiment verifies a theory, but

that another theory comes along

that explains both that

experiment and another

phenomenon simulaneously. In this

way, theories can either explain

new phenomena or explain known

phenomena better. This is the

evolution of scientific thought and

theories.

When the theory can be

formulated in a mathematical

construction, then it is called a

law. A law is considered to be a

significantly verified theory that

we understand so well as to

formulate an equation to explain

it.

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Q: How can an idea be elevated to a principle theory or a law?
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