In the old days, Scientists believed that they were uncovering 'Laws' which had been laid down in the Universe by a deity. Most of us realize that this was probably misguided. Modern day Scientists are only too well aware of the rate of change of our knowledge and that it would be almost presumptuous to expect to find a 'Law'. In a year / decade / century, your law would have add-ons to account for new evidence.phinds said:Those are just names, some of which evolved historically. I wouldn't worry about it. "Law" is out of favor these days. Too categorical.
Disputed is the wrong word. It implies that there is no need to dig deeper. For example, General Relativity showed us that Newton's Law of gravity is not the whole story on very large scales.saddlestone-man said:Are there any historical "Laws" in physics which are still undisputed?
You may want to read about recent work on the fluctuation theorem. There are experiments which show violations of the 2nd law on short time scales.saddlestone-man said:Are there any historical "Laws" in physics which are still undisputed?
I would nominate the Laws of Thermodynamics, now more than 100 years old. I believe what eventually became the Second Law was formulated in 1824, ie almost 200 years ago,
A theory in physics is an explanation of a phenomenon or set of phenomena based on a well-supported set of hypotheses and experimental evidence. It is a comprehensive and widely accepted explanation that can be used to make predictions about new situations. A law, on the other hand, is a mathematical statement that describes a fundamental relationship or pattern in nature. It is based on repeated experiments and observations and is considered to be universally true.
Theories and laws in physics are developed through the scientific method, which involves making observations, formulating hypotheses, conducting experiments, and analyzing data. Theories are continuously refined and updated as new evidence and data become available, while laws are considered to be fundamental and unchanging.
No, theories and laws in physics cannot be proven in the traditional sense. They can only be supported by evidence and are subject to change as new evidence is discovered. However, they can be widely accepted and used as the basis for further research and experimentation.
No, not all theories and laws in physics are universally accepted. Some theories may be controversial or have competing explanations, and laws may be disproven or modified as new evidence is discovered. However, the most widely accepted theories and laws are supported by a large body of evidence and are considered to be the most accurate descriptions of natural phenomena.
Theories and laws in physics play a crucial role in our daily lives. They help us understand and predict the behavior of objects and systems, from the movement of planets to the functioning of electronic devices. Many modern technologies, such as computers and smartphones, are based on principles and laws of physics. Additionally, theories in physics have led to groundbreaking discoveries and innovations, such as the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics.