Final answer:
Constraints are conditions that must be satisfied in a given context, such as scientific theories or engineering designs. Binding constraints actively restrict outcomes, while non-binding ones do not. To understand constraints in a specific field, one must investigate the governing criteria and conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term constraints refer to limitations or conditions that must be satisfied in a given context. In science and engineering, constraints can shape the development of theories or the design of experiments and technologies. For instance, when developing a theory about the formation of the planetary system, motion constraints, chemical constraints, and age constraints need to be accounted for to ensure that the theory explains the observed properties of the system adequately. Similarly, in engineering, design constraints are critical to ensuring that a certain product functions within specified limits such as size, weight, and safety requirements. When we say a constraint is 'binding', it means that it actively restricts or determines the outcome of the design process or theoretical explanation. In contrast, non-binding constraints do not affect the current solution.
In the context of scientific theories about planetary system formation, a theory must satisfy all observational constraints to be considered viable. Hence, any constraint that must be explained for a theory to be accepted is considered a binding constraint. To find out more about constraints in a specific field, researching the criteria and conditions that govern the domain, whether they pertain to physical laws in physics, experimental limitations in chemistry, or design standards in engineering, would be beneficial.