Final answer:
A hypothesis is a preliminary, testable explanation for observations, a scientific theory is a well-supported explanation confirmed by evidence, and a scientific law describes behavior of nature, often in a mathematical form.
Step-by-step explanation:
A hypothesis is a tentative explanation for an observation that is testable through experimentation and analysis. A scientific theory, on the other hand, is a well-supported and confirmed explanation for a set of observations or phenomena. Lastly, a scientific law is a concise description, commonly encapsulated in a mathematical formula, that predicts the behavior of a part of the natural world based on extensive empirical evidence. The journey from hypothesis to theory involves rigorous testing and validation. Through controlled experimentation and comparison with the findings of others, a hypothesis may be refined. As more experimental data support the hypothesis, it can evolve into a theory. Such theories are comprehensive explanations of particular aspects of nature that are widely accepted because they have been repeatedly validated and can predict outcomes effectively.
However, if new information comes to light, theories can be adjusted. In contrast, a law summarizes numerous experimental observations, often distilled into a single equation, such as Newton's second law of motion (F = ma), describing the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration. While laws describe generalized patterns in nature supported by empirical evidence, theories offer a broader explanation of a range of related phenomena. Unlike a law, a theory is the culmination of the scientific method, not the beginning. The scientific method itself is the process by which questions and observations lead to laws or hypotheses, which in turn are tested to become theories, as part of continuous scientific inquiry and validation.