Final answer:
The correct statement is D, where theories and laws are distinct and neither can transform into the other. Laws describe patterns often expressible as equations, while theories are comprehensive explanations for phenomena. Both are subject to change with new verifiable evidence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct statement about laws and theories is D. Theories cannot become laws and laws cannot become theories. Scientific laws and theories are distinct types of scientific understanding. A law describes a pattern in nature, often summarized by a mathematical equation, after extensive observation and repeated experiments confirm it as a consistently observed phenomenon. In contrast, a theory provides an explanation for those observations and is supported by a substantial body of evidence.
For example, Newton's second law of motion, which can be summarized as F = ma, where F stands for force, m stands for mass, and a stands for acceleration, is a scientific law that consistently describes how motion changes when a force is applied. On the other hand, the Theory of Evolution, which explains the diversity of life through the mechanism of natural selection, is too complex to be reduced to a single equation and thus remains a theory.
It is essential to remember that both laws and theories are valid until a verifiable experiment or observation contradicts them. Then they must be revised or discarded. This process illustrates the dynamic nature of scientific understanding.