How does a hypothesis becomes a theory?
1 Answer
Actually a hypothesis is a prediction based on a theory. If the Hypothesis comes true the theory is more accepted.
Explanation:
An example Avogardo's Hypothesis ( famous) that equal volumes of gases would contain equal numbers of particles ( molecules or atoms) was based on the kinetic theory of gases.
Avogardo's Hypothesis remained a hypothesis for over 100 years before definitive empirical experiments proved his hypothesis correct. By then the kinetic theory of gases had been widely accepted.
A hypothesis predicts what is expected to happen. For example if I lower the temperature the volume of the ballon should shrink. This is a hypothesis.
This hypothesis is based on Charles Law one of the gas laws in the kinetic theory of gases. The kinetic theory explains that the movement of gases is do to the velocity of the particles. The greater the temperature the greater the velocity.
So if the temperature is lowered the velocity should be less according to theory.
This leads to the hypothesis that the the volume will shrink or decrease. The experimental evidence proves the hypothesis is correct. The correct prediction of the hypothesis gives support to the theory.
Good Theories make good predictions ( Hypothesis)
Bad Theories make bad predictions ( Hypothesis )
