What is the difference between a scientific theory and a hypothesis?

Answer 1

A hypothesis is simply an idea to be tested. A theory is constructed after observing the results of that testing. In other words, a theory is based on experimental evidence. A hypothesis could be nothing more than "I wonder if ...".

In popular usage, a theory is just a vague and fuzzy sort of fact and a hypothesis is often used as a fancy synonym to `guess'. But to a scientist a theory is a conceptual framework that explains existing observations and predicts new ones. For instance, suppose you see the Sun rise. This is an existing observation which is explained by the theory of gravity proposed by Newton. This theory, in addition to explaining why we see the Sun move across the sky, also explains many other phenomena such as the path followed by the Sun as it moves (as seen from Earth) across the sky, the phases of the Moon, the phases of Venus, the tides, just to mention a few. You can today make a calculation and predict the position of the Sun, the phases of the Moon and Venus, the hour of maximal tide, all 200 years from now. The same theory is used to guide spacecraft all over the Solar System.

A hypothesis is a working assumption. Typically, a scientist devises a hypothesis and then sees if it ``holds water'' by testing it against available data (obtained from previous experiments and observations). If the hypothesis does hold water, the scientist declares it to be a theory.

Answer 2

Scientists notice natural phenomena, and ask questions about why what they see happens. They come up with an idea that is a tentative answer to that question. The posulated answer is the hypothesis. From the specific hypothesis, predictions can be made, and experiments are designed to see whether the results agree with the predictions, which would support the hypothesis.

A theory is usually much broader than a hypothesis. It is usually general enough so new questions and hypotheses can be developed from it, and tested. Also, it is supported by a much more massive body of evidence than a hypothesis.

Answer 3

Scientific theory is a definite fact, a hypothesis is what you think will happen that can be proved by scientific theory.

Answer 4

scientific theory is experimented and proved true
or it might be a theory because no one has been able to prove it wrong..
hypothesis is yet to to experimented