Question

consider these historical models of the atom: solid sphere → \plum pudding\ → nuclear model → energy levels → electron cloud. which statement best summarizes how theories develop? once a theory appears, laws must change to match it, because laws explain why atoms are the way they are. theories never change at all; only the pictures in textbooks are updated to look modern. theories become laws after a single experiment confirms them, so older models are simply renamed as laws. new evidence leads to modifications of the theory, improving explanations rather than discarding everything.

Explanation:

The progression of atomic models shows that each new model (from solid sphere to electron cloud) was developed as new experimental evidence emerged. Older models were refined, not discarded entirely, to better explain new observations, which aligns with how scientific theories evolve. The other options are incorrect: laws do not change to match theories, theories do evolve (they are not static), and theories do not become laws after one experiment.

Answer:

D. New evidence leads to modifications of the theory, improving explanations rather than discarding everything.