Concept explainers
In the following scenario, identify which of the statements represents a theory, law, or hypothesis. (a) A student exploring the properties of gases proposes that is she decreases the volume of a sample of gas then the pressure exerted by the sample will increase (b) Many scientists over time have conducted similar experiments and have concluded that pressure and volume are inversely proportional. (c) She proposes that the reason this occurs is that if the volume is decreased, more molecules will collide with a given area of the container walls, causing the pressure to be greater.
(a)
Interpretation:
The given statement has to be identified as theory, law or hypothesis.
Concept introduction:
Hypothesis:
A tentative explanation or prediction in accordance with current knowledge.
Law:
A concise verbal or mathematical statement of a behavior or a relation that seems always to be the same under the same conditions.
Theory:
A well tested, unifying principle that explains a body of facts and the laws based on them. These are explanations of natural phenomenon and they don’t change or any kind of guesses can’t be made.
Answer to Problem 1PS
The given statement is hypothesis.
Explanation of Solution
The given statement is hypothesis, because the student was making a prediction about the property of proposed gases.
(b)
Interpretation:
The given statement has to be identified as theory, law or hypothesis.
Concept introduction:
Hypothesis:
A tentative explanation or prediction in accordance with current knowledge.
Law:
A concise verbal or mathematical statement of a behavior or a relation that seems always to be the same under the same conditions.
Theory:
A well tested, unifying principle that explains a body of facts and the laws based on them. These are explanations of natural phenomenon and they don’t change or any kind of guesses can’t be made.
Answer to Problem 1PS
The given statement is law.
Explanation of Solution
The given statement is law because it conveys about the relationship between pressure and volume.
(c)
Interpretation:
The given statement has to be identified as theory, law or hypothesis.
Concept introduction:
Hypothesis:
A tentative explanation or prediction in accordance with current knowledge.
Law:
A concise verbal or mathematical statement of a behavior or a relation that seems always to be the same under the same conditions.
Theory:
A well tested, unifying principle that explains a body of facts and the laws based on them. These are explanations of natural phenomenon and they don’t change or any kind of guesses can’t be made.
Answer to Problem 1PS
The given statement is theory.
Explanation of Solution
The given statement is theory because the student explains about the reason for the increase in pressure with decrease in volume when the collision occurs at the given area.
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Chapter 1 Solutions
Chemistry & Chemical Reactivity
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter
Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer
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