Theory
Science: Year 5 & 6 National Curriculum, topic 11.1.6
Theory
When scientific ideas have been tested and there is a lot of evidence, scientists can form a ‘theory’.
Scientific theory
- A scientific theory is not the same as ‘just a theory’ in everyday use.
- A scientific theory explains something and can be tested repeatedly to give the same result.
Example
- A scientific theory can be used to make predictions.
- An example of a scientific theory is Isaac Newton's ‘Theory of Gravitation’
- This theory says that all objects with mass have gravity and attract each other.
Test yourself on Theory
What are scientific theories used for?
What is scientific idea that has been tested and there is a lot of evidence for?
What is correct about scientific theories?