You're studying calculus on an inspiring day, and suddenly an idea comes up, you decide to put it into practice and turn it into a theory. Ah if it were that simple! Some people think that's how observations turn into Theories.
Let's see what procedures are necessary to transform a simple idea into Theory in the scientific world:
Observation
It all starts here, observation of a certain physical phenomenon that can refer to the movement of an object, events in nature, among others.
Hypothesis
Hypotheses are explanations given to what is being proposed, that is, they are possible causes of the scientific event. For example: why does the metal pendulum on wall clocks swing from side to side?
Law
It is the translation of his hypothesis through annotation on paper: at this point the potential scientist needs to formulate the concept (law) he is defending.
Theory
If the hypothesis is true, and hence the law too, then they need to be confirmed through various experiments, and only then will your initial idea turn into Theory.
For example, in Physical Theories, a new theory can arise from experimental observations or from the generalization of concepts. Quantum Mechanics arose from the explanation of blackbody radiation and the photoelectric effect.
In Chemistry, we have an example of the atomic theories proposed by Bohr, Thonsom, Rutherford, all of them are based on long years of study. The atomic theory defended by Rutherford was proven through experiments involving Radioactivity.
By Líria Alves
Graduated in Chemistry
Brazil School Team
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Rutherford's Atom
General chemistry - Chemistry - Brazil School
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SOUZA, Líria Alves de. "How do Theories arise?"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/quimica/como-surgem-as-teorias.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
