What makes a scientific idea a law?

Answer 1

It is accepted by the scientific community as a law when it has been tested in sufficiently various ways by sufficiently many people and has not been disproved. Or, more simply, it's not AN observation that becomes a law, it's MANY observations. When an experiment can be done by anyone, anywhere, at any time, and the same result is achieved this suggests that that is the only result attainable from the experiment. Strictly speaking this doesn't constitute a proof, just a failure to disprove, but if the theory continues to be not disproved then it is accepted.

Answer 2

An observation occurs when you see something happening in nature and examine it. It does not always hold the same pattern if it occurs again. However an observation becomes a scientific law when it has been accepted universally and is absolute and cannot be argued upon. A scientific law can be explained through history and research done on different phenomena. Research cannot be based upon a mere observation which has occurred once whereas it can be based on a scientific law.

Answer 3

Generally speaking, and, dependant on the discipline, the progression usually goes like this; Bright idea, hypothesis, working hypothesis, publication, theorem, theory, then (if ever) 'Law'. Understand, however, most so-called 'laws' operate inside a very restrictive term of reference, since a major experimental effort is always underway trying to either severely limit or totally disprove 'laws'

Answer 4

After an hypothesis becomes a theory proven beyond doubt, it can become a Scientific Law if universally accepted by the scientific community. Some scientific laws, such as Newton's laws of motion and Boyle's Law, have been found to be faulty in some regard and have subsequently been modified.

Answer 5

Experimental confirmation is necessary.