What is the difference between a hypothesis and a theory? Can 1 exist without the other?

Question

Explain please. I need help. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

A hypothesis has not yet been thoroughly tested using the scientific method. It is rather an explanation for something that has been observed.

In science, a theory is a mathematical or logical explanation, or a testable model of the manner of interaction of a set of natural phenomena, capable of predicting future occurrences or observations of the same kind, and capable of being tested through experiment or otherwise falsified through empirical observation.

You have a hypothesis before you have a theory. Once you have studied the hypothesis enough, done enough experiments, and are able to predict future results, then it becomes a theory.

Most non-scientists (especially creationists) have trouble understanding the difference between the two.

See these links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothesis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory

Contrary to jjjjjjjjj's response, a theory IS NOT a proven hypothesis, because theories are not proven. In science, theories are never proven (even big ones like the Theory of General Relativity).

All scientists can say is that the preponderance of the evidence gives weight to the theory (leaving the door open for the theory to be modified or thrown away based on new evidence in the future if need be).

Answer 2

A Hypothesis is a theory that needs to be proven. A hypothesis cannot exist without a theory nor can a theory exist without a hypothesis. Reason for this is, if you state a theory you are indeed directly or indirectly stating your hypothesis /opinion of what the results will be and why.

Answer 3

a hypothesis is a testable idea about how nature works. it's important that it be testable - when a hypothesis is proposed, part of the proposal should include ways to test it to see if it's likely to be true or false. a theory is a logically connected network of well-tested hypotheses relating to some phenomenon, which ideally completely describes and explains that phenomenon. so a hypothesis can exist with only observations for support, but a theory requires tested hypotheses.

Answer 4

Hypothesis is the begining idea that might steam into to a theory. So, as you can gather, a hypothosis can exist without a theory but a theory can not exist without a hypothesis

Answer 5

A theory is a proven hypothesis. A hypothesis supposes an outcome based on observable facts.


gaelicspawn, I know that in science nothing is ever truly proven, which is something I constantly tell people. I meant "proven" as "accepted as fact", the way scientific theories are accepted as fact until shown otherwise.

Answer 6

A hypothesis is a prediction. A theory is something that might be proven to be true.
Examples:
A Hypothesis would be, " I think that the brand of popcorn will affect the popping rate."
A theory would be, " It is said that black holes come from dead stars."
Remember- A theory is something that has not been proven, but a theorum is something that has been proven to be true.
And I think( But I'm not sure) that they can exist without eachother.