What is defined as an educated guess to answer a scientific question that is testable?

A hypothesis is defined as an educated guess that aims to answer a scientific question in a way that is testable and falsifiable. It serves as a starting point for scientific investigation, allowing researchers to design experiments or studies that can confirm or refute it through observation and experimentation. A well-formed hypothesis typically predicts a relationship between variables and is grounded in existing knowledge or observations.

In contrast, a theory is a broad explanation for a wide range of phenomena that has been extensively tested and supported by a large body of evidence, while a law describes a consistent relationship or principle observed in nature, often expressed in mathematical form. An assumption refers to something that is accepted as true without proof, which does not inherently provide a framework for scientific inquiry as a hypothesis does. By understanding these distinctions, it becomes clear why the hypothesis is the foundation for further scientific exploration.