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Depends on whether all the theory is being contradicted or only a part of theory faces contradiction. For instance; the theory of evolution by natural selection would take a theory shaking hit if we found fossil rabbits in the Cambrian period, which has not happened. Only part of the theory of evolution by natural selection was contradicted by Mendelian genetics, when Mendel's much better heritability mechanism replaced Darwin's idea about blending inheritance. The theory only got stronger by this ratification.
If that new evidence is solid enough, it may require a revision of the theory. If it is just shaky and occurs because of some error in the experiment, it is usually discarded as uncredible.

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12y ago
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12y ago

If the challenge is valid, the theory is discarded and a new theory has to be developed to replace it.

If the challenge is successfully rebutted, the theory stands.

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7y ago

When evidence contradicts a theory, the theory must be changed or scrapped.

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Q: What happens when new evidence does not support your theory?
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How long was it before new evidence emerged to support wegener's original theory?

In the 1960's scientists uncovered new evidence that seemed to support Wegener's theory.


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modify the theory or discard it altogether.


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Because all of the observations and evidence are used for support.


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Scientist use scientific methods to test the new theory. They also examine all the evidence to see if it supports the new theory. Scientist accept a new theory when many test and pieces of evidence support it.


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The theory is evaluated in the context of the new information. The information may support the theory, it may require a tweak to the theory to accommodate the new information or it may require a major re-think of the theory.


Can scientific theories change?

Yes, they can, if new evidence is discovered to support a change in the theory. Physical theories are not provable in the sense of mathematical theorems. They depend on evidence, and they can be disproved if enough contrary evidence comes up.


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A scientific model can change if new evidence is found. If the new evidence that has been found contradicts the model or theory then a scientific model or theory can change.


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When new evidence is found, the theory is tested against the new evidence, if the theory and new evidence are compatible then the theory is confirmed, if the new evidence and the theory are not compatible, then this indicates the theory is wrong and the theory must be abandoned or modified. Sometimes a theory will predict that new things (evidence) will be discovered. In such cases when these things are discovered AS PREDICTED, the theory becomes stronger. For instance some of the outer planets were predicted (using orbital and gravitational theory and observation on the orbits of known planets) and they were later discovered close to where they were predicted to be.


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It will be replaced by a new theory when enough evidence is collected


How did the new evidence support Hess's theory of seafloor spreading?

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