FINAL ANSWER:
"If the cover (test variable) is applied to the terrarium in Container One, then the water level in the 'lake' (outcome variable) will change by increasing more slowly compared to Container Two, which is left open."
Step-by-step explanation:
The provided hypothesis is a statement that outlines what you expect to happen in an experiment based on the manipulation of a specific variable (independent variable) and its effect on another variable (dependent variable).
In this case, the hypothesis is based on an experiment involving terrariums with two different conditions. Here's an explanation of the hypothesis:
Test Variable (Independent Variable): The test variable in this experiment is the "cover." Specifically, it refers to whether or not the top of the terrarium is covered with plastic wrap.
Outcome Variable (Dependent Variable): The outcome variable is the "water level in the 'lake.'" This is the measurement you are interested in, and it represents how much water is present in the terrarium.
The Hypothesis Statement: The hypothesis states that if the test variable, which is the presence of a cover, is applied to the terrarium in Container One (Covered), then the outcome variable, which is the water level in the 'lake,' will change. It predicts that the water level will change by increasing more slowly in Container One compared to Container Two (Open), which is left without a cover.
In essence, the hypothesis suggests that the presence of a cover will have an effect on the rate of water change in the terrarium, and it predicts that the covered terrarium will lose water more slowly compared to the open terrarium. This hypothesis forms the basis for conducting the experiment and will be used to determine whether the actual results align with the expected outcome.