Final answer:
The correct answer is B) Sound science, which represents data, theories, and laws accepted by expert scientists and reflects extensive research and evidence within established scientific paradigms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sound science consists of data, theories, and laws that are widely accepted by scientists who are experts in their fields. This encyclopedic knowledge is grounded in extensive research and evidence, fitting well within current scientific paradigms. For example, the consensus on global climate change is an instance of sound science, where there is a vast body of evidence showing the effect of human activities on global warming. On the contrary, frontier science refers to ideas at the forefront of understanding in science, which have not yet gained such wide acceptance because they are relatively new and lack extensive support. An example is the research on the relationship between dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol levels vis-à-vis genetic factors in cardiovascular disease risk.
Science, especially fields like physics, seeks to comprehend the universe's nature through the formulation of theories and laws, enlisting inductive and deductive reasoning, and following the scientific method. These endeavors result in a dynamic reservoir of knowledge that scientists strive to enhance and refine. A scientific hypothesis must be testable, and credible scientific ideas should be adaptable yet resilient under scrutiny. This exploratory spirit defines the ongoing advancement of science and underscores the difference between mature, consensus science and the pioneering work of frontier science.