Is there such a thing as a law or fact in science?

Question

Since all ideas are theories until they are proven in all situations, then aren't all ideas theories? It is impossible to test an idea in EVERY possible situation.

Answer 1

Fact: I let go of a book and it fell.

Theory: Gravity caused it to fall.

Facts are not nearly as useful predictors as theories are.

Answer 2

its really all about probability.  the likelihood of something violating the "law of gravity", such as jumping into outerspace is VERY low, but it is not zero.  scientists often speak in absolutes, but the truth is that nothing is ever 100% certain.  that being said, when the odds are 99.99999999 etc, its a great bet to take that you are not going to one accidentally leap into orbit.

Answer 3

Well, there are the laws of physics, like gravity and stuff.

And newton's laws? Maybe not newton, but somebody's first law is "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction"

Unless you are asking in the sense of

"If a tree falls and there's no-one around to hear it, how do we know it makes a sound?"