What distinguishes a theory from a law in scientific context?

In a scientific context, a theory is fundamentally different from a law in that it provides a comprehensive explanation for a set of observations or phenomena. Theories often encompass various laws and concepts, detailing why and how certain processes occur. For instance, the theory of evolution explains the mechanisms of natural selection and the adaptation of species over time, while laws typically describe observable behaviors without providing explanations for why they happen.

In contrast to the notion that a law includes an explanation, laws are generally concise statements or mathematical relationships describing consistent phenomena, such as Newton's law of universal gravitation, which outlines the relationship between the masses of objects and the gravitational force between them. Laws are statements based on repeated experimental observations, showing that they hold true across a wide range of conditions without delving into the 'why' behind them.

Moreover, although theories are well-supported by evidence, it is not accurate to claim that a theory is always correct, as scientific understanding evolves with new evidence. Similarly, the assertion that a law is a tentative explanation contradicts the established notion that laws are firm descriptions based on consistent observations.

Thus, the essence of what distinguishes a theory from a law lies in the explanatory power of theory, highlighting why certain phenomena occur, which is captured in the