How can evidence from experiment be explained in relationship to the hypothesis?
1 Answer
The Hypothesis is a prediction based on the theory being tested.
The evidmence can support the Hypothesis or invalidate the Hypothesis.
Explanation:
Good theories make good predictions and Bad theories make bad predictions.
The Bohr gold foil experiment is an example. The Thompson theory or Model of atomic structure predicted that the heavy positive charges would be spread through out the atom. The Hypothesis was that the Helium nuclei would easily penetrate the atom revealing the distribution of the heavy positive charges.
The evidence from the experiment totally invalidated the Thompson model. Some of the heavy Helium Nuclei were bounced back directly into the observer. The evidence then lead to the development of the Bohr atomic model. ( Also later modified due to experimental evidence.
The predictions of the Periodic Theory all came true. The experimental evidence supported the Hypothesis of the Periodic Theory to the extent that it is now regarded not only as a theory that explains things but also as a law whose predictions always come true.
