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What’s the difference between a scientific law and theory? - Matt Anticole

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Chat with a friend about an established scientific theory, and she might reply, “Well, that’s just a theory.” But a conversation about an established scientific law rarely ends with “Well, that’s just a law.” Why is that? What is the difference between a theory and a law... and is one “better”? Matt Anticole shows why science needs both laws and theories to understand the whole picture.

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Before Louis Pasteur, people did not seriously think that tiny microbes could have much of an effect on the 'big-sized' world of people. Louis Pasteur challenged the theories of his time when he used microbes to explain how food was spoiling in factories. Research at least one new advance that was possible once people accepted that his theory was correct.

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Matt Anticole
  • Producer Zedem Media
  • Director Michael Kalopaidis
  • Artist Jeanne Bornet
  • Animator Andria Pourouti
  • Sound Designer Andreas Trachonitis
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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