The theory of evolution by natural selection

Example · High school

Terms

Term	This example	Why
theory (in science)	✓
hypothesis (in science)	✗
law (in science)	✗

Distinctions using this example

• Conjecture vs. hypothesis vs. law vs. theory: Evolution by natural selection is a theory, because it explains a broad range of observations (fossils, genetics, the distribution of species) and is supported by a large body of evidence. It is not a law because it explains why species change rather than describing one pattern. It is not a hypothesis because it has be demonstrated via experiments.

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