Question

Which sentence BEST explains why scientists continually make incremental adjustments to their theories?

A) Newer theories are always more accurate than older ones.
B) New observations have to be accounted for in the theory.
C) Over time, the laws of nature change, so theories need to be updated.
D) Scientists are in competition to make more improvements than their colleagues.

Answer 1

B) New observations have to be accounted for in the theory.

New observations have to be accounted for in the theory. Sometimes new observations (called anomalies) are made which make it necessary to adjust the theory which explains them.

Answer 2

B) New observations have to be accounted for in the theory.

Theories, while plausible, are still subject to change. This is why they haven't been affirmed as scientific laws yet.