The theoretical or deductive model
Einstein used this method to develop the Theory of Relativity. He began
with a theory, which he imagined, and he took for granted a series of
axioms or prior definitions. When he applied these axioms he obtained
some results (laws) which contradicted "common sense", but which turned
out to be true, when in later years they were tested with experiments
designed to confirm them.
Therefore the model is theoretical at the start but totally experimental in its verification.
Newton also used the bases of mathematics and some axioms
which he stated to develop his Theory, taking as his foundation facts
studied by others, without doing any experiments personally. His
theories were later totally confirmed.
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The formulas obtained by Newton allowed him to calculate
positions and velocities which coincided with those of the bodies he
had studied. He calculated how much the moon falls (when it separates
from a straight line tangential to its trajectory) towards the
Earth every second and confirmed that it coincided with what his law
predicted. Once he had confirmed that his laws explained his
observations perfectly and that they always applied, he made public the
Law of Universal Gravitation.
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This method is used less than the experimental or inductive method.
It is called deductive because in essence it consists of stating the consequences (deducing) of a principle or supposition.
Carry out this activity-example of how a deductive process is followed.
Both induction and deduction are used in the processes of the two methods. When we think we continually induce and deduce.
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