Question

A ___ is an idea arrived at logically from a theory. It can be though of as an educated guess, and it can be tested.

Answer 1

A hypothesis is a testable educated guess stemming from a theory that provides a tentative explanation for scientific observations. A scientific theory is an explanation supported by extensive testing and evidence, which goes beyond the speculative use of 'theory' in everyday language.

Step-by-step explanation:

A hypothesis is an idea arrived at logically from a theory. It can be thought of as an educated guess, and it can be tested. In the scientific method, a hypothesis is a tentative explanation for scientific observations that puts the system being studied into a form that can be tested. A scientific theory, on the other hand, is an explanation for patterns in nature that is supported by much scientific evidence and verified multiple times by multiple researchers.

A theory is not just a simple guess; it is a scientific explanation that has been repeatedly tested and supported by many experiments. The confusion often arises because in common usage, 'theory' might refer to a guess or speculation, but in the scientific community, it refers to an explanation that has withstood rigorous testing and verification.

Answer 2

A hypothesis is a testable, educated guess that serves as a tentative explanation for a scientific observation. A scientific theory, on the other hand, is an explanation supported by a large amount of evidence and repeated testing, far surpassing the initial stages of a hypothesis.

Step-by-step explanation:

A hypothesis is an idea arrived at logically from a theory. It can be thought of as an educated guess, and it can be tested. In the scientific community, a hypothesis is a tentative explanation for scientific observations that puts the system being studied into a form that can be tested. This forms the basis for experimentation and further observation.

The term theory in a scientific context is often misunderstood. While in everyday language, a theory may be considered a simple guess, in science, a theory is an explanation for patterns in nature that is supported by much scientific evidence and verified multiple times by multiple researchers. For example, well-known theories in biology include the theory of evolution, cell theory, and germ theory, all of which are underpinned by a substantial number of experiments and observations.

A scientific theory starts as a hypothesis which is then repeatedly tested. When a hypothesis is supported by multiple experiments and gains acceptance in the scientific community, it may become a theory. Thus, a theory is much more than just an educated guess; it is a scientific explanation that has been rigorously tested and widely validated within the scientific community.