What is a Theory in Science?
What is a Theory in Science?
In science, a theory is a well-substantiated explanation for a broad set of observations and experimental results. It is developed through extensive research, testing, and evidence collection and is generally accepted within the scientific community as the best explanation available for a particular phenomenon.
Theories are more comprehensive and reliable than hypotheses or conjectures because they integrate and explain a wide range of data and observations. They’re built on hypotheses that have been repeatedly tested and confirmed across various conditions, often by different researchers. Unlike in everyday language, where a "theory" might imply a guess or assumption, in science, a theory is a robust framework that helps scientists understand complex aspects of the natural world.
For example, the theory of gravity explains the force of attraction between objects with mass, and the theory of evolution explains the diversity of life on Earth. Both are backed by substantial evidence and form the foundation for ongoing scientific research and applications.