Answer:
The correct answer is option c) has been heavily tested through repeated experimentation
Explanation:
Scientific laws are descriptive statements of relationships between observable phenomena. Scientific theories are explanations that are inferred from observable phenomena or regularities in those phenomena.
In other words, a scientific theory is the approach of a hypothetical-deductive system that constitutes a scientific explanation or description to a related set of observations or experiments. It is based on hypotheses or assumptions verified by groups of scientists and generally covers several scientific laws. These laws become part of the basic assumptions and hypotheses of the theory that will encompass the knowledge accepted by the scientific community.
So, a theory is a set of rules that describe the behavior of a particular system and a particular rule that is present in all known theories and is therefore considered "universally applicable."
An example is modern physics. This is a set of many theories, depending on the system to study. You have, for example, quantum mechanics for small-scale systems, special relativity for high-speed objects and general relativity for very massive systems. In all of them the conservation of energy is fulfilled. Therefore, the conservation of energy is called "law", while quantum mechanics, special relativity and general relativity have the category of "theory", being limited to concrete systems.
All of the above leads to being able to say that a theory tries to explain some phenomenon and is accepted as true by the scientific community. Theories describe the behavior of some specific system. A theory may be proven over the years that is not true. A law is what is scientifically proven to be true, it is universally applicable. For example, a theory can become law when it is demonstrated, for example, mathematically or experimentally. A law can also be revised and changed, but it is generally considered true and does not usually change.
So, the correct answer is option c)