Question

In a class discussion about whether Pluto is a planet, a student states, "Scientists can change their minds." This statement correctly reflects the Nature of Science principle of

• A. Objectivity
• B. Empiricism
• C. Tentativeness
• D. Relativity

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Tentativeness

• Tentativeness is a fundamental principle in the Nature of Science (NOS). It acknowledges that scientific knowledge is provisional and subject to change or refinement based on new evidence, discoveries, or improved theoretical frameworks.

• The scientific understanding of Pluto's status is a prime example of tentativeness in action.

• Pluto was discovered in 1930 and was considered the ninth planet in our solar system for over 75 years.

• In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, astronomers discovered numerous other celestial bodies in the Kuiper Belt, many of which were comparable in size or even larger than Pluto.

• This led to a debate about the definition of a planet.