Final answer:
A hypothesis is a tentative explanation for scientific observations that allows for predictions about future observations and can be tested through experimentation.
Step-by-step explanation:
A hypothesis is a broad idea that can be used to make predications about future observations. It serves as a tentative explanation for scientific observations and provides a way to test the ideas we have about the world. In science, a hypothesis is extremely important because it bridges the gap between abstract concepts and the real world, allowing for predictions and experimentation. For example, in studies of climate change, scientists may formulate a hypothesis that warmer climates will change the distribution of plants and animals, and then test these predictions through observations and data collection.