Description: What is Happening?
In science, a description involves accurately detailing observable phenomena, events, or properties without delving into their causes. It answers the 'what' question, focusing on recording empirical facts, measurements, and characteristics. For instance, observing that an apple falls to the ground when released is a description of the event.
Explanation: Why and How it Happens?
An explanation, conversely, seeks to interpret and clarify the underlying mechanisms, reasons, or principles that lead to the described phenomenon. It answers the 'why' and 'how' questions, offering a causal account based on theories, laws, or models. An explanation for the falling apple would involve the theory of gravity, detailing how mass and distance create an attractive force.
A Practical Example: Boiling Water
Consider boiling water. Describing boiling involves noting that water bubbles vigorously at 100°C (at standard atmospheric pressure), changes from a liquid to a gaseous state, and visibly produces steam. An explanation, however, would delve into the increased kinetic energy of water molecules, overcoming intermolecular forces, and the phase transition occurring when vapor pressure equals external atmospheric pressure.
Importance in Scientific Inquiry
Understanding this distinction is crucial for effective scientific communication and progress. Accurate descriptions provide the foundational data upon which explanations are built and tested. Explanations, in turn, provide predictive power and deeper understanding, allowing scientists to hypothesize about new phenomena and solve complex problems by manipulating underlying causes rather than just observing effects.