Chapter 13, Problem 52A

Some people dismiss the validity of scientific theories by saying they are 'only theories. The law of universal gravitation is a theory. Does this mean that scientists still doubt its validity? Explain.

To determine

Whether scientists doubt on the validity of Newton’s law of gravitation or not.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

According to law of gravitation, there is an attractive force acts between any two object which is proportional to product of masses and have inverse relation to the square of the distance between them.

Newton’s law of gravitation is the basis of the all the gravitational effects like Kepler’s law of planetary motion, projection of satellite and so on. If this law has a doubt about its validity then these entire phenomenon would have been failed. Without Newton’s law of gravitation one cannot study astronomy. This law is given by Newton after observing the falling apple that strikes him that there is some attractive power Earth has which pulls every object towards itself.

Conclusion:

Laws are not only theory based but observation based also. Thus, scientist don’t doubt on the validity of law.