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Evidence is gathered or collected that refutes the theory. The theory must be discarded, or modified to fit the evidence.

Examples of discarded theories: Phlogiston, Ether, The Steady State Theory.

Newton's theory of gravity has not been discarded, simply because it remains useful, even though it has been replaced by Einstein's Theory of General Relativity. GR could be considered an extension of Newtonian physics. With Darwin's Theory of Evolution, the original theory has not changed so much as it has been extended by new findings. We understand the structure of DNA much better now, and the role of genes. DNA was unknown during Darwin's time. Molecular Biology, genetics, and cladistics simply build upon the underlying theory of evolution.

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16y ago

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New information that would change that facts can change a theory. Remember that a theory is not a scientific law which can not be changed. For a long time people theorized that there were four elements: fire, air, water and earth. That has changed now to want we know to be 118.

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8y ago
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Because real scientists are always prepared to change their ideas

when new information shows that they've been wrong.

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13y ago
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science changes b/c people experiment and find out new discoveries or b/c with new technology we are able to either prove our old theories wrong or come out with new theories.

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14y ago
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Scientific knowledge changes because people figure out new facts and that changes their knowledge on things.

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12y ago
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Because new things are discovered which make the old theory obsolete. In addition experiments testing the theory can show it to be wrong.

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14y ago
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Some one proves it wrong.

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13y ago
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New data and/or new insights.

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8y ago
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Q: Why might a scientific theory change?
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