2007-01-09 14:51:12 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Environment
a theory is a groundwork for understanding what you're observing...you think you know the underlying "method to the madness" and you propose that groundwork...you create a hypothesis as a means of testing and supporting/refuting a theory...
(easy) EX: evolution is a theory to explain differences btwn species as we see them today, by suggesting that they have slowly developed characteristics that better suit them for their environment. a hypothesis could be formulated to test this theory (and support or refute it) such as Darwin's original observation of the differences btwn finch species on given islands. he hypothesized those differences were due to environmental factors and thus supported (and indeen, created) his theory of evolution as a groundwork to explain it all...(sorry, i really can't think of a good, quick example and this one is so well known...)
2007-01-10 02:16:32 · answer #1 · answered by izaboe 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An hypothesis is an untested idea. After the hypothesis has been tested for many years without being disproved by any test (experiment) and is generally accepted by most in the scientific community even though it has not been conclusively proven, it is called a theory. Many theories, like the big bang theory, cannot be either proved or disproved. In this case, nobody was there to witness it first hand so it remains a theory even though the majority of scientists likely accept it or at least give it the benefit of the doubt.
2007-01-09 23:04:46 · answer #2 · answered by Jim R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An hypothesis is an untested theory. A theory can be untested or thoroughly confirmed by observation. People often think theory means, "guesswork", but that's not what it means in science. Check out link for the definition of the word "theory" Compare with link for "hypothesis"
2007-01-09 22:57:24 · answer #3 · answered by Scythian1950 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A hypothesis is an educated guess basically whereas a theory is used to prove the hypothesis.
2007-01-09 22:55:51 · answer #4 · answered by babykimah 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A hypothesis is pure speculation. A theory has some actual facts that can help support it.
2007-01-09 23:11:16 · answer #5 · answered by Scott S 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
lol....sound like u have some science homework..I'm not going to give u the answer but I can tell u that in the time it took u to write this question u could have pulled up webster online and found out for yourself...
2007-01-09 22:56:21 · answer #6 · answered by BuRn Di WiSdOm WeEd 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋