Question

which statement is correctly matched with law or theory? \older undisturbed rock layers lie below younger ones\ — law, because it consistently describes relative ages without explaining the cause.
\energy increases during every change of form\ — theory, because it explains increases in total energy during transformations.
\all organisms are composed of tissues only\ — law, because it lists what always happens in living systems without exceptions.
\gravity sometimes pushes objects away\ — theory, because it explains why objects separate in space during eclipses.
\older undisturbed rock layers lie below younger ones\ — law, because it consistently describes relative ages without explaining the cause.

Explanation:

1. The first option is incorrect: energy is conserved during transformations, not increased, so the statement and classification are wrong.
2. The second option is incorrect: organisms can be single-celled (no tissues), so the statement is false, and it cannot be a law.
3. The third option is incorrect: gravity is an attractive force, it does not push objects away, so the statement is false.
4. The fourth option is correct: the principle that older undisturbed rock layers lie below younger ones is the Law of Superposition. Scientific laws describe consistent observed patterns without explaining the underlying cause, which matches this classification.

Answer:

D. "Older undisturbed rock layers lie below younger ones" — Law, because it consistently describes relative ages without explaining the cause.