Final answer:
A scientific statement that can be tested and potentially disproven is known as a hypothesis. It is part of the scientific method and differs from a theory, which is thoroughly tested and confirmed, or from a fact, which is an observed and accepted truth.
Step-by-step explanation:
A scientific statement that can be proven or disproven is a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a tentative explanation that can be tested through investigation and experimentation. It is one of the key components of the scientific method, which is a systematic approach to research. If the outcomes of experiments support the hypothesis, it gains credibility; if the outcomes contradict it, the hypothesis must be revised or discarded. On the other hand, a theory is a well-supported and widely-accepted explanation of a phenomenon, grounded in extensive testing and evidence. Lastly, a fact is an observation that has been repeatedly confirmed and is accepted as 'true' within its context.
A scientific statement that can be proven or disproven is a hypothesis.
A hypothesis is a tentative explanation that can be tested by further investigation. It is a proposed explanation for a given natural phenomenon that can be tested through carefully crafted experimentation or observation.