Final answer:
The statement is false. A scientific experiment is not considered a failure if the hypothesis is not supported; this is a standard part of the scientific process. The results, whether supporting or contradicting the hypothesis, lead to scientific advancement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that if the hypothesis in a scientific experiment is not supported, the experiment is considered a complete failure and must be repeated until a satisfactory outcome is reached is false. In the scientific method, a hypothesis that does not hold up against experimental data is either rejected or revised, which is a normal part of the scientific process and not an indication of failure. The purpose of an experiment is to test a hypothesis, and data that does not support a hypothesis can provide valuable information leading to a more accurate understanding of the subject.
For a hypothesis to be accepted as a scientific hypothesis, it must be capable of being supported or refuted through experimentation or observation. A well-executed experiment that doesn't support the hypothesis can still be considered successful because it provides insight and direction for further research, potentially leading to the development of an alternative hypothesis.
It is essential to recognize that falsifiability is a key feature of the scientific method. Demonstrating that a hypothesis is false is often as valuable as confirming its accuracy because science progresses by building on both positive and negative findings. An example comes from historical attempts to convert other metals into gold, which consistently failed and led to the conclusion that elements cannot be transformed into simpler matter by physical or chemical reactions.