Which statement best captures the nature of a fact?

A fact is defined as a statement that can be supported with evidence and proven true. This is the essence of a fact; it is verifiable and can be corroborated through observation, measurement, or reliable documentation. For example, saying that water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level is a fact because it can be consistently tested and observed under those specific conditions.

This understanding of a fact aligns with the principles of critical thinking and the scientific method, where claims must be substantiated with evidence to be considered valid. The ability to prove a statement as true through objective means underlines the nature of what constitutes a fact.