Law

Definition

A law in physics is a concise, general statement that describes the behavior of a natural phenomenon. It is typically expressed mathematically and has been validated through repeated experiments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Physics laws are universal and apply under specific conditions without exceptions.
2. Examples include Newton's laws of motion, the law of conservation of energy, and Ohm's law.
3. Laws differ from theories; laws describe what happens, while theories explain why it happens.
4. Many physical laws can be derived from fundamental principles using mathematical reasoning.
5. Laws in physics are often formulated based on empirical observations and validated through experimentation.

Review Questions

• What distinguishes a physical law from a theory?
• Can you provide an example of a physical law and its mathematical expression?
• How are physical laws validated?

Related terms

Theory: A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that can incorporate facts, laws, inferences, and tested hypotheses.

Hypothesis: A proposed explanation for a phenomenon made as a starting point for further investigation.

Experiment: A procedure carried out to support, refute, or validate a hypothesis or to discover something unknown.