Question

Why do you think Berzelius put forth the vital force theory?

• A. He wanted to prove that organic compounds cannot be synthesised in the lab.
• B. He wanted to create a model to account for the observations of his time.
• C. He knew it was just a theory, so it was bound to be false.
• D. None of these.

Answer 1

The correct option is B He wanted to create a model to account for the observations of his time.

Any theory is a model which tries to explain the current observations. An important point to keep in mind is that we only need to disconfirm any model with just one piece of counter-evidence and we can say that the model is false.

For example, saying that the earth is flat could be a theory. From our observations on earth, it seems like a reasonable theory. We can see that everything is flat mostly. But one photograph from outer space is enough to disconfirm it.

When Berzelius put forth his vital force theory, observations said that all organic compounds were found only in living things. So, it was reasonable to create a theory which accounted for these observations.

But when Wohler synthesised urea in the lab, it was a clear counter-evidence and so we have thrown that theory away to the dust.