How does a hypothesis differ from a scientific theory?

Question

Hypotheses are testable, while theories only exist conditionally.
Theories are well established with lots of evidence to support their claims.
Hypotheses can change with new evidence, but theories remain constant.
Theories always lead to the development of new scientific ideas.

Answer 1

The correct answer is: Theories are well established with lots of evidence to support their claims.

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation or prediction for a specific observation or phenomenon. It is an educated guess that can be tested through experiments or further observations. In contrast, a scientific theory is a well-substantiated and comprehensive explanation of a particular aspect of nature, based on a body of evidence from observations and experiments.

While a hypothesis can be changed or refined based on new evidence, a scientific theory is generally considered to be well established with a substantial amount of evidence supporting its claims. Theories are not conditional or temporary; they remain constant unless new evidence emerges that challenges or contradicts them. Theories may lead to the development of new scientific ideas or concepts, but this is not always the case.