Which statement best describes a scientific hypothesis?

Which statement best describes a scientific hypothesis?

• A. A guess without evidence
• B. An observation recorded
• C. A testable statement that explains a phenomenon
• D. A final conclusion

Answer: (C)

A scientific hypothesis is a testable statement that explains a phenomenon and makes predictions that can be evaluated with evidence. It’s more than a guess—it's reasoning-shaped and arranged so experiments can support or refute it. For example, if you hypothesize that increasing temperature speeds up a chemical reaction, you can measure reaction rates at different temperatures to see if the results align with the prediction. This testability and potential falsifiability are what make a hypothesis the appropriate form for advancing understanding, rather than just a guess without evidence, which isn’t easily tested; or an observation, which is data collected; or a final conclusion, which comes after evaluating the evidence.

A scientific hypothesis is a testable statement that explains a phenomenon and makes predictions that can be evaluated with evidence. It’s more than a guess—it's reasoning-shaped and arranged so experiments can support or refute it. For example, if you hypothesize that increasing temperature speeds up a chemical reaction, you can measure reaction rates at different temperatures to see if the results align with the prediction. This testability and potential falsifiability are what make a hypothesis the appropriate form for advancing understanding, rather than just a guess without evidence, which isn’t easily tested; or an observation, which is data collected; or a final conclusion, which comes after evaluating the evidence.