In science, a theory is a reasonable explanation of observed events that are related.
在科学中,理论是对所观察到的相关事件的合理解释。
A theory often involves an imaginary model that helps scientists picture the way an observed event could be produced.
理论通常包含一个虚构的模型,这个模型帮助科学家构想所观察到的事件是如何发生的。
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.
分子运动理论便是我们能找到的一个很好的例子。在这个理论中,气体被描绘成由许多不断运动的小颗粒组成。
A useful theory, in addition to explaining past observations, helps to predict events that have not as yet been observed.
一个有用的理论,除了能够解释过去的观测,还有助于预测那些未被观测到的事件。
After a theory has been publicized, scientists design experiments to test the theory. If observations confirm the scientist's predictions, the theory is supported.
一个理论公开后,科学家们设计实验来检验这个理论。如果观察证实了科学家的预言,这个理论则得到了验证。
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.
科学家除了收集信息和操作实验外还需要想象能力和创/造性思维。事实本身并不是科学。
As the mathematician Jules Henri Poincare said, "Science is built with facts just as a house is built with bricks,
正如数学家乔斯.亨利.波恩克尔所说:"科学建立在事实之上,就像房子用砖砌成一样。
but a collection of facts cannot be called science any more than a pile of bricks can be called a house."
但事实的收集不能被称作科学,就像一堆砖不能被叫作房子一样。"
Most scientists start an investigation by finding out what other scientists have learned about a particular problem.
多数科学家通过找出别的科学家在一个特定问题上的所知来开始研究。
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.