Which of the following best describes the difference between a scientific law and a scientific theory in the context of atomic theory?

• A. A law summarizes observed phenomena, while a theory explains the underlying reasons for those phenomena.
• B. A law is a guess that has not been tested, while a theory is a proven fact.
• C. A law and a theory are interchangeable terms in science.
• D. A law explains why atoms behave as they do, while a theory only describes their behavior.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the definitions of a scientific law and a scientific theory. A scientific law is a concise statement that summarizes a pattern found in nature based on repeated experimental observations.
2. Step 2: Recognize that a scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is based on a body of evidence and can explain why phenomena occur.
3. Step 3: Differentiate between the two by noting that laws describe what happens, often in the form of a mathematical relationship, while theories explain how and why those phenomena occur.
4. Step 4: Apply this understanding to atomic theory: a law would summarize observed behaviors of atoms (such as conservation of mass or definite proportions), whereas a theory would provide the explanation for atomic structure and behavior.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best description is that a law summarizes observed phenomena, while a theory explains the underlying reasons for those phenomena.