What is a law in scientific terms?

In scientific terms, a law is a descriptive generalization that consistently explains how certain phenomena occur under specific conditions. Laws often arise from repeated observations and experiments that yield the same outcome, leading to conclusions about the natural world that can be expressed mathematically or through clear principles. For example, the law of gravity describes the attractive force between objects.

This concept of a law emphasizes its role in outlining consistent patterns in nature, distinguishing it from hypotheses, which are testable predictions, and theories, which provide explanations for those observed patterns. A law is seen as a reliable rule of nature that, while not necessarily explaining the underlying reasons for phenomena, allows scientists to predict outcomes based on established principles.