Truth vs. Fact
this is a statement supported by a lot of scientific evidence that is correct as far as we know, but it is not absolute and can change over time
What is a scientific fact?
The primary goal of science is to build these conceptual representations of how the natural world works.
What are mental models (or theories)?
An informed, testable prediction based on a theory that is put to the test in an experiment.
What is a hypothesis?
The historic Caloric Theory incorrectly modeled heat as this type of substance.
What is an invisible, weightless fluid (gas)?
Novare argues that the consistent, mathematical laws of nature point directly to this underlying feature of the universe.
What is intelligent design?
This type of knowledge is absolute, unalterable, and does not change
What is Truth?
A successful scientific theory must be able to do this for all or most of the known data in its domain
What is explain the known facts?
The specific, primary purpose of performing a scientific experiment.
What is to test a hypothesis?
Because caloric was thought to repel itself, the theory successfully explained why heat always moves in this specific direction.
What is from hot objects to cold objects?
Because the universe has a rational order, it proves that nature was formed by a rational and purposeful entity, specifically this.
Who is God?
These are the two primary sources from which human beings can obtain absolute Truth.
What are direct observation (our senses) and divine revelation?
A successful scientific theory must be strong enough to enable scientists to do this, leading to new experiments.
What is formulate new testable hypotheses?
If an experimental result cleanly matches your hypothesis, you can say your hypothesis is this
What is confirmed?
This English scientist heavily challenged the Caloric Theory after observing an immense amount of heat generated while boring out brass cannons.
Who is Count Rumford (Benjamin Thompson)?
Spiritual duty for Christians.
What is stewardship and praising God by understanding His creation?
True or False: Because science discovers facts, scientific facts are completely, unchangingly true.
False
This physical object, like a miniature airplane engine, is an example of this concept used to explain the inner workings of a complex system.
What is a model?
If an experimental result fails to confirm your hypothesis, this is the very first thing you should re-examine before abandoning your idea.
What is the experiment?
Count Rumford noticed that the heat produced by friction was seemingly infinite, which directly contradicted the caloric idea that heat was a fixed, finite fluid.
What is an experiment that could not be explained by the theory?
Why does the presence of predictable physical laws make scientific experimentation possible in the first place?
What is because a chaotic universe without order would yield random, unrepeatable results?
This philosophical term used in Chapter 7 refers to the study of knowledge—specifically how we know what we know and the limits of scientific claims.
What is epistemology?
Explain why a theory can never "turn into" a law or a truth, no matter how much evidence it gets.
What is because a theory is a mental model that explains facts, whereas truth is absolute and unalterable?
These are the three steps a scientist must take, in order, if an experiment consistently contradicts a hypothesis.
What are: 1) Revisit the experiment, 2) Revisit the hypothesis, and 3) Revisit the theory?
The Caloric Theory was eventually completely replaced by this modern scientific theory of heat.
What is the Kinetic Theory of Heat?
The text states that we should look at scientific laws as God's ongoing, active way of doing this for the physical universe.
What is sustaining and upholding creation?