Laws, Theories and Hypothesis

Scientific Law

• A statement of fact describing an action or set of actions. 
• Generally accepted to be true and universal. 
• Don't need any complex external proofs; because they have always been observed to be true. 
• Must be simple, true, universal and absolute. 
• Represent the cornerstone of scientific discovery.

Hypothesis

• An educated guess
• Rational explanation of a single event or phenomenon based upon what is observed. 
• Most hypothesis can be supported or refuted by experimentation or continued observation. 

Theory

• A hypothesis that has been verified and accepted to be true. 
• More complex and dynamic than a law
• Explains an entire group of related phenomena
• Components of it can be changed or improved upon, without changing the overall truth of the theory as a whole. 
• Must be falsifiable; must be capable of being modified based on new evidence.