What is the difference between a theory and a hypothesis?
A) A theory is a specific statement, a hypothesis is a general statement.
B) A theory is a prediction, a hypothesis is an observation.
C) A theory is the result of many observations, a hypothesis is a specific prediction.
D) A theory is falsifiable, a hypothesis is not.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is based on a vast amount of empirical evidence. On the other hand, a hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about what one expects to happen in a particular study or experiment. Hypotheses are often derived from theories, but they are more limited in scope and are usually tested through experimentation. Therefore, the main difference between a theory and a hypothesis is that a theory is a broad explanation that has been extensively tested and validated, while a hypothesis is a narrower prediction that needs to be tested through empirical investigation. Option C correctly captures this distinction.

What Is the Difference Between a Theory and a Hypothesis