27. Scientific Theories
In science, a theory is a reasonable explanation of observed events that are related. A theory often involves an imaginary model that helps scientists picture the way an observed event could be produced. A good example of this is found in the kinetic1 molecular2 theory, in which gases are pictured as being made up of many small particles that are in constant motion.
A useful theory, in addition to explaining past observations, helps to predict events that have not as yet been observed. After a theory has been publicized, scientists design experiments to test the theory. If observations confirm the scientist’s predictions, the theory is supported. 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. As the mathematician3 Jules Henri Poincare said, “Science is built with facts just as a house is built with bricks, but a collection of facts cannot be called science any more than a pile of bricks can be called a house.”
Most scientists start an investigation4 by finding out what other scientists have learned about a particular problem. 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 formulated5. These possible solutions are called hypotheses.
In a way, any hypothesis is a leap into the unknown. It extends the scientist’s thinking beyond the known facts. The scientist plans experiments, performs calculations, and makes observations to test hypotheses. Without hypothesis, further investigation lacks purpose and direction. When hypotheses are confirmed, they are incorporated into theories.
科學(xué)理論
在科學(xué)中，理論是對所觀察到的相關(guān)事件的合理解釋。理論通常包含一個虛構(gòu)的模型，
這個模型幫助科學(xué)家構(gòu)想所觀察到的事件是如何發(fā)生的。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。一個有用的理論，除了能夠解釋過去的觀測，還有助于預(yù)測那些未被觀測到的事件。一個理論公開
后，科學(xué)家們設(shè)計實驗來檢驗這個理論。如果觀察證實了科學(xué)家的預(yù)言，這個理論則得到了驗證。如果觀察不能證實科學(xué)家的預(yù)言，科學(xué)家就必須進(jìn)一步的研究。
或許是實驗存在錯誤，或許是這個理論必須被修改或拋棄?？茖W(xué)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(xué)。
正如數(shù)學(xué)家喬斯?亨利?波恩克爾所說："科學(xué)建立在事實之上，就像房子用磚砌成一樣。但事實的收集不能被稱作科學(xué)，就像一堆磚不能被叫作房子一樣。
"多數(shù)科學(xué)家通過找出別的科學(xué)家在一個特定問題上的所知來開始研究。在收集了已知事實之后，科學(xué)家開始了研究中需要相當(dāng)想像力的部分。他們爾后擬訂
對這個問題的可行的解決方法。這些可行的解決方式被稱為假設(shè)。在某種意義上，任何假
設(shè)都是向未知的跳躍。它使科學(xué)家的思維超越已知事實?？茖W(xué)家計劃實驗、計算、觀測以檢驗假定。若沒有假設(shè)，進(jìn)一步的研究便缺乏目的和方向。
當(dāng)假設(shè)被證實了，就成為理論的一部分。
1 kinetic
adj.運動的；動力學(xué)的
參考例句：
There exist many sources of energy both potential and kinetic.存在著許多勢能和動能的能源。
The kinetic theory of gases is the best known example.氣體動力學(xué)理論就是最有名的例子。
2 molecular
adj.分子的；克分子的
參考例句：
The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms.這項研究將使人能夠直接地了解分子的機(jī)理。
For the pressure to become zero, molecular bombardment must cease.當(dāng)壓強(qiáng)趨近于零時，分子的碰撞就停止了。
3 mathematician
n.數(shù)學(xué)家
參考例句：
The man with his back to the camera is a mathematician.背對著照相機(jī)的人是位數(shù)學(xué)家。
The mathematician analyzed his figures again.這位數(shù)學(xué)家再次分析研究了他的這些數(shù)字。
4 investigation
n.調(diào)查，調(diào)查研究
參考例句：
In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在調(diào)查中新發(fā)現(xiàn)了一件對他不利的事實。
He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根據(jù)自己的調(diào)查研究作出結(jié)論。
5 formulated
v.構(gòu)想出( formulate的過去式和過去分詞 )；規(guī)劃；確切地闡述；用公式表示
參考例句：
He claims that the writer never consciously formulated his own theoretical position. 他聲稱該作家從未有意識地闡明他自己的理論見解。 來自《簡明英漢詞典》
This idea can be formulated in two different ways. 這個意思可以有兩種說法。 來自《現(xiàn)代漢英綜合大詞典》
In science, a theory is a reasonable explanation of observed events that are related. A theory often involves an imaginary model that helps scientists picture the way an observed event could be produced. A good example of this is found in the kinetic1 molecular2 theory, in which gases are pictured as being made up of many small particles that are in constant motion.
A useful theory, in addition to explaining past observations, helps to predict events that have not as yet been observed. After a theory has been publicized, scientists design experiments to test the theory. If observations confirm the scientist’s predictions, the theory is supported. 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. As the mathematician3 Jules Henri Poincare said, “Science is built with facts just as a house is built with bricks, but a collection of facts cannot be called science any more than a pile of bricks can be called a house.”
Most scientists start an investigation4 by finding out what other scientists have learned about a particular problem. 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 formulated5. These possible solutions are called hypotheses.
In a way, any hypothesis is a leap into the unknown. It extends the scientist’s thinking beyond the known facts. The scientist plans experiments, performs calculations, and makes observations to test hypotheses. Without hypothesis, further investigation lacks purpose and direction. When hypotheses are confirmed, they are incorporated into theories.
科學(xué)理論
在科學(xué)中，理論是對所觀察到的相關(guān)事件的合理解釋。理論通常包含一個虛構(gòu)的模型，
這個模型幫助科學(xué)家構(gòu)想所觀察到的事件是如何發(fā)生的。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。一個有用的理論，除了能夠解釋過去的觀測，還有助于預(yù)測那些未被觀測到的事件。一個理論公開
后，科學(xué)家們設(shè)計實驗來檢驗這個理論。如果觀察證實了科學(xué)家的預(yù)言，這個理論則得到了驗證。如果觀察不能證實科學(xué)家的預(yù)言，科學(xué)家就必須進(jìn)一步的研究。
或許是實驗存在錯誤，或許是這個理論必須被修改或拋棄?？茖W(xué)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(xué)。
正如數(shù)學(xué)家喬斯?亨利?波恩克爾所說："科學(xué)建立在事實之上，就像房子用磚砌成一樣。但事實的收集不能被稱作科學(xué)，就像一堆磚不能被叫作房子一樣。
"多數(shù)科學(xué)家通過找出別的科學(xué)家在一個特定問題上的所知來開始研究。在收集了已知事實之后，科學(xué)家開始了研究中需要相當(dāng)想像力的部分。他們爾后擬訂
對這個問題的可行的解決方法。這些可行的解決方式被稱為假設(shè)。在某種意義上，任何假
設(shè)都是向未知的跳躍。它使科學(xué)家的思維超越已知事實?？茖W(xué)家計劃實驗、計算、觀測以檢驗假定。若沒有假設(shè)，進(jìn)一步的研究便缺乏目的和方向。
當(dāng)假設(shè)被證實了，就成為理論的一部分。
1 kinetic
adj.運動的；動力學(xué)的
參考例句：
There exist many sources of energy both potential and kinetic.存在著許多勢能和動能的能源。
The kinetic theory of gases is the best known example.氣體動力學(xué)理論就是最有名的例子。
2 molecular
adj.分子的；克分子的
參考例句：
The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms.這項研究將使人能夠直接地了解分子的機(jī)理。
For the pressure to become zero, molecular bombardment must cease.當(dāng)壓強(qiáng)趨近于零時，分子的碰撞就停止了。
3 mathematician
n.數(shù)學(xué)家
參考例句：
The man with his back to the camera is a mathematician.背對著照相機(jī)的人是位數(shù)學(xué)家。
The mathematician analyzed his figures again.這位數(shù)學(xué)家再次分析研究了他的這些數(shù)字。
4 investigation
n.調(diào)查，調(diào)查研究
參考例句：
In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在調(diào)查中新發(fā)現(xiàn)了一件對他不利的事實。
He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根據(jù)自己的調(diào)查研究作出結(jié)論。
5 formulated
v.構(gòu)想出( formulate的過去式和過去分詞 )；規(guī)劃；確切地闡述；用公式表示
參考例句：
He claims that the writer never consciously formulated his own theoretical position. 他聲稱該作家從未有意識地闡明他自己的理論見解。 來自《簡明英漢詞典》
This idea can be formulated in two different ways. 這個意思可以有兩種說法。 來自《現(xiàn)代漢英綜合大詞典》