In science, a theory is a reasonable explanation of observed events that are related.
在科學中,理論是對所觀察到的相關事件的合理解釋。
A theory often involves an imaginary model that helps scientists picture the way an observed event could be produced.
理論通常包含一個虛構的模型,這個模型幫助科學家構想所觀察到的事件是如何發(fā)生的。
A good example of this is found in the kinetic molecular theory, in which gases are pictured as being made up of many small particles that are in constant motion.
分子運動理論便是我們能找到的一個很好的例子。在這個理論中,氣體被描繪成由許多不斷運動的小顆粒組成。
A useful theory, in addition to explaining past observations, helps to predict events that have not as yet been observed.
一個有用的理論,除了能夠解釋過去的觀測,還有助于預測那些未被觀測到的事件。
After a theory has been publicized, scientists design experiments to test the theory. If observations confirm the scientist's predictions, the theory is supported.
一個理論公開后,科學家們設計實驗來檢驗這個理論。如果觀察證實了科學家的預言,這個理論則得到了驗證。
If observations do not confirm the predictions, the scientists must search further. There may be a fault in the experiment, or the theory may have to be revised or rejected.
Science involves imagination and creative thinking as well as collecting information and performing experiments. Facts by themselves are not science.
科學家除了收集信息和操作實驗外還需要想象能力和創(chuàng)/造性思維。事實本身并不是科學。
As the mathematician Jules Henri Poincare said, "Science is built with facts just as a house is built with bricks,
正如數(shù)學家喬斯.亨利.波恩克爾所說:"科學建立在事實之上,就像房子用磚砌成一樣。
but a collection of facts cannot be called science any more than a pile of bricks can be called a house."
但事實的收集不能被稱作科學,就像一堆磚不能被叫作房子一樣。"
Most scientists start an investigation by finding out what other scientists have learned about a particular problem.
多數(shù)科學家通過找出別的科學家在一個特定問題上的所知來開始研究。
After known facts have been gathered, the scientist comes to the part of the investigation that requires considerable imagination. Possible solutions to the problem are formulated.