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In science, a law is a rule of thumb describingobservations, and a theory a model explaining those observations. For example, if one observes that an apple drops to the floor each and every time one lets it go, one can formulate a law that says 'apples fall towards the ground'. One can then go on to formulate a theory to explain why apples fall towards the ground.

Likewise, that life evolves is a simple observation: we see live changing, both in the smallest detail and in their overall morphology, everywhere we look. The law is therefore that life changes, that it evolves. Natural selection is part of the explanation for why and how life changes.

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Q: Why is evolution a law and natural selection a theory?
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Theory of evolution Vs Law of Thermo Dynamics?

The theory of evolution does not vs the law of thermodynamics. They are quite compatible since the earth is an open system.


Does a scientific law become a scientific theory?

A theory, when proven over time, can become a law. Example: Law of Gravity and Theory of Evolution


Why is evolution considered a theory and not a hypothesis or a law?

In science, a hypothesis and a theory differs in that a hypothesis is a conjecture based on empirical observation or theoretical derivation yet unproven or by any experimental work, and that a theory is a hypothesis that has been rigorously tested by many researchers and supported by strong evidence. Evolution is a theory that has been repeatedly tested, supported by overwhelming evidence, and can be used to explain natural phenomenon very well.


What is the difference between natural law and scientific theory?

A natural law is an empirical observation held to be true. A theory explains why the law holds true.


Is evolution a law or theory or a hypothesis?

Answer 1A theory. Just as E=Mc2 is the theory of relativity.Answer 2Evolution is both a fact and a theory, although the fact and the theory of evolution are - at least in my book - two different things:The fact of evolution is the observation that lifeforms evolve over time.The theory of evolution is the model that explains how they evolve, and how that applies to our findings in genetics and palaeontology. The theory of evolution incorporates a number of well-tested hypotheses, laws, and facts.

Related questions

How is scientific theory is different from the way most people use the word theory and explain the important the theory of evolution has on modern biology?

The vulgar meaning of theory is that one " guesses ", or just has an idea over a cup of coffee. The scientific meaning, which is the primary meaning in any good dictionary, is that theory is basically an explanation of phenomenon,( observation, fact, law, ) and this is logically consistent internally and supported by many lines of converging evidence. Simply put, the theory of evolution by natural selection is the cornerstone of biology. Biology would be an exercise in natural history " stamp collecting " is not for the theory of evolution by natural selection explaining so much ( not everything ) about evolution.


Is evolution a scientific law?

Evolution is a 'natural' law.


What are the evidence presented in court for Charles Darwin theory of intelligent design?

Not sure how to answer this as scientific theories are not subject to the law but are supported by overwhelming evidence. The only time that evolution or the theory that supports it is in a court of law is when some public school somewhere, or some state somewhere tries to introduce religion into the classroom disguised inder the terms creation " science : or intelligent design.There is no theory of evolution put forward by Charles Darwin that includes intelligent design. If fact the theory of evolution by natural selection is the antithesis of intelligent design.


Is evolution a law?

No, it is a theory. Answer With an apology to the first answer, evolution is a law. and is called The Law of Evolution. It is the natural state by which all things evolve. Examples of this are that mankind is much taller than those of say the 1700's and later. He is healthier fitter and is most cases more intelligent. (Though there is some argument regarding some people). It is not a follow up of the Darwinian theory as this has now been found to be false. The Law of Evolution is a God given law and not a man made law.


Theory of evolution Vs Law of Thermo Dynamics?

The theory of evolution does not vs the law of thermodynamics. They are quite compatible since the earth is an open system.


Is evolution is theory or law?

Evolution is both fact and theory. One could say that there are laws of evolution. One such law could be: that reproductively isolated populations will always diverge genetically.


Does a scientific law become a scientific theory?

A theory, when proven over time, can become a law. Example: Law of Gravity and Theory of Evolution


Why is evolution considered a theory and not a hypothesis or a law?

In science, a hypothesis and a theory differs in that a hypothesis is a conjecture based on empirical observation or theoretical derivation yet unproven or by any experimental work, and that a theory is a hypothesis that has been rigorously tested by many researchers and supported by strong evidence. Evolution is a theory that has been repeatedly tested, supported by overwhelming evidence, and can be used to explain natural phenomenon very well.


What is the difference between natural law and scientific theory?

A natural law is an empirical observation held to be true. A theory explains why the law holds true.


Why is gravity considered a law and not a theory?

It is called a theory out of convention. Some biologists refer to it as Darwin's Law of Evolution, because it is pretty well established. In science, a theory is any well substantiated explanation for some aspect of the world. That is why we have Newton's theory of gravity, and Einstein's even better theory of gravity (General Relativity). Evolution is both a well established fact (it has been observed, and it explains the sequence and arrangement of the fossil record), as well as a scientific theory (descent with modification, or random mutations coupled with natural selection, or that most modern (and extinct) species share common ancestry. Evolution is a fact, not a theory. How it proceeds are the various theories. When people use the term 'theory of evolution' they are generally, referring to Darwins theory of how evolution progresses. Which is through natural selection. That is a theory not evolution.


Why is Charles Darwin's theory of evolution more than a guess?

Because there's supporting evidence for it. Lots of supporting evidence. Overwhelming, awe-inspiring amounts of supporting evidence.A scientific theory is not just a guess. My chemistry teacher explained it this way: a theory is something we can explain (the theory of evolution or the theory of relativity). A law is something we can't explain (the law of gravity. We know it works, we're just not sure exactly why or how).Charles Darwin spent years developing his hypothesis of natural selection. There is ample evidence supporting his final theory, some found long after his death. To this day, archeologists still find fossil evidence that fits into Darwin's explanation of changing species.


What is hardy weinberg law about?

The Hardy-Weinberg law is about, basically, the constraints on evolution. Small population size, not gene glow, no natural selection and so on. This leads to no evolution, but is not seen in the wild. It is a metric for measuring whether evolution takes place by having such artificial constraints. This polynomial comes out of the law. p2 + q2 = 1 and determines allele frequency change/amount. Google Hardy-Weinberg.