A hypothesis and a theory are both important in science, but they differ in scope, evidence, and purpose:
- Hypothesis:
- A hypothesis is a tentative statement or educated guess that explains a possible relationship between variables.
- It is specific, testable, and falsifiable (can be proven wrong through experiments or observation).
- Example: If plants receive more sunlight, then they will grow faster.
- Hypotheses are the starting point of scientific investigation and must be tested through experiments.
- Theory:
- A theory is a well-substantiated explanation of natural phenomena that has been repeatedly tested and confirmed by a large body of evidence.
- It is broader than a hypothesis and provides a unifying framework for understanding related observations.
- Example: The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection explains the diversity of life on Earth.
- Theories are not “just guesses”; they represent the highest level of scientific understanding, supported by facts, experiments, and repeated validation.
In short:
- A hypothesis is a proposed explanation that is yet to be tested.
- A theory is a well-established explanation backed by extensive evidence.