How does a hypothesis differ from a scientific theory?

Question

Theories are educated guesses based on certain data, while hypotheses explain natural phenomenon and are validated by experimentation.
Theories are educated guesses based on certain data, while hypotheses explain natural phenomenon and are validated by experimentation.

Theories always lead to the development of new scientific ideas/laws and are not proven scientifically, while hypotheses are.
Theories always lead to the development of new scientific ideas/laws and are not proven scientifically, while hypotheses are.

Hypotheses are testable and rely on evidence for verification, while theories only exist conditionally and rely on possibility.
Hypotheses are testable and rely on evidence for verification, while theories only exist conditionally and rely on possibility.

Theories are well established with lots of evidence data to support their claims, while hypotheses are based on limited data.

Answer 1

The last statement is the most accurate distinction between a hypothesis and a scientific theory:

Theories are well established with lots of evidence and data to support their claims, while hypotheses are based on limited data.

To elaborate:

• A hypothesis is a testable statement or prediction that can be investigated through experimentation or observation. It is often formulated based on limited data and aims to answer specific questions or address particular phenomena.

• A scientific theory, on the other hand, is a comprehensive explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is supported by a large body of evidence. Theories are developed after extensive testing and validation of multiple hypotheses and can integrate and explain various observations and experimental results.

In summary, hypotheses are preliminary ideas that require testing, while theories are well-supported explanations that have withstood rigorous scrutiny.