Final answer:
A scientific theory does not become a scientific law over time, as they are distinct concepts. Theories explain phenomena, while laws describe patterns observed in nature. The refining of scientific laws and theories is an ongoing process as new evidence emerges.
Step-by-step explanation:
Approximately how many years it takes for a scientific theory to become a scientific law is a misunderstanding of scientific principles. The correct answer to the question is D) Varies for each theory, as this implies that a theory might one day become a law. However, a scientific theory does not graduate into a scientific law over time. Scientific laws and theories are distinct types of knowledge in science; a theory does not change into a law with the accumulation of new or better evidence. Theories are comprehensive explanations of some aspect of nature that are supported by a vast body of evidence. Laws, on the other hand, describe the patterns observed in large amounts of data, often summarized in a mathematical equation. They don't transform into one another but coexist, each serving a different purpose in the scientific understanding of the world. Furthermore, a scientific law can be revised if new evidence conflicts with it, so the process of refining scientific knowledge is ongoing.