“Gravity is just a theory — it's not a law.”
Usage Entry 1187 / 1350 60-second read
Theory vs. Law
An explanation of how versus a description of what.
The comparisoni
“The law of gravity describes how things fall; the theory of gravity explains why. Both are established science.”
The ruleii
¶
LAW = describes. THEORY = explains.
A LAW in science describes what happens — e.g. the law of gravity predicts falling rates. A THEORY explains why — Einstein's theory of general relativity explains gravity's mechanism. Theory is not weaker than law; they serve different purposes.
Memory aidiii
Remember it like this
Laws describe; theories explain.