Chapter 1, Problem 14A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Whether the given statement is true or false needs to be determined.

Concept Introduction: In chemistry, the scientific method is a systematic way of collecting evidence to support theories/ concepts. In scientific disciplines, the term “model”, “experiment”, “observation”, “theory” and “law” holds different meanings of phenomena.

Answer to Problem 14A

The given statement is false.

Explanation of Solution

Reason for true statements: If a theory is disproven, then it cannot be same as with the observations.

Theory is a group of connected ideas or concepts intended to describe something.  It involves question- “why” or “how anything/ somethings happens. It is based on inference.

Observations are what a person (or chemist) makes collecting data and theory is a group of connected ideas or concepts intended to describe something. After observations are completed, based on those observations, a hypothesis is created and then experiments are conducted. An experiment is a way to test a hypothesis; where the hypothesis is a testable, tentative explanation for observations.

The hypothesis elaborates, in concrete terms, what a person (or chemist) expects will happen in a certain circumstance. If the hypothesis turns out to be true, based on the experiments, the hypothesis can become a theory. According to this, hypothesis is based upon the observation made. So, if the theory is wrong that does not mean that the hypothesis will also be wrong.

Conclusion

Reason for false statements: If the theory is wrong that does not mean that the hypothesis will also be wrong.

Explanation: The statement, if a theory is disproven, then all of the observations that support certain theory will also be disproven” is wrong because theory is an explanation for the observation. It is possible that the observation can be correct but an explanation can be wrong.

The given statement is false.