How does a scientific theory differ from a scientific hypothesis?

Indy_B

An hypothesis is something which you make out of your careful observation which everyone will agree easily. But that will become a theory only when it is proved practically with experiments. I give an example , It is generally observed that whenever we have dark black clouds it is going to rain at some nearby place. It becomes a theory only when it is both explained scientifically and proved upon experiments by cloud seeding etc. http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistry101/a/lawtheory.htm Mar 09 09, 6:33 PM

zbeckabee

Additional to above post: Hypothesis: This is an educated guess based upon observation. It is a rational explanation of a single event or phenomenon based upon what is observed, but which has not been proved. Most hypotheses can be supported or refuted by experimentation or continued observation. Theory: A theory is more like a scientific law than a hypothesis. A theory is an explanation of a set of related observations or events based upon proven hypotheses and verified multiple times by detached groups of researchers. One scientist cannot create a theory; he can only create a hypothesis. http://wilstar.com/theories.htm Mar 10 09, 7:06 AM