Suppose a theory is used to make a prediction. A measurement is carried out to test the prediction. The measurement is found to have a value far larger than the prediction. This means
A) the theory must be completely incorrect and must be rejected entirely.
B) nothing because theories are not facts; theories often make incorrect predictions but are still regarded as true by scientists.
C) the measurement must be incorrect; theories by definition cannot be incorrect.
D) the theory might have correct elements but must be modified to account for some unforeseen influences.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the measurement is far larger than the prediction, it may indicate that the theory is incomplete or does not account for all relevant factors. It may be necessary to modify the theory to include these additional factors to better account for the measurement. However, this does not necessarily mean that the entire theory is incorrect.

Suppose a Theory Is Used to Make a Prediction