Do hypotheses become laws?

If a hypothesis becomes well established, is it a law or a theory?

A law is just a description of a pattern in the data. A theory is an explanation for the pattern. The law shows what happens, without explanation. A theory explains how it happens, often by using using an analogy or metaphor. So whether a hypothesis that becomes well established becomes a law or a theory depends on whether it tells you what happens, or it tells you how something happens.

Author: Fred Senese senese@antoine.frostburg.edu

Copyright © 1997-2005 by Fred Senese
Comments & questions to fsenese@frostburg.edu
Last Revised 07/31/07.URL: http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/intro/faq/hypothesis-becomes.shtml