Explain the difference between a hypothesis and a theory.

Question

anonymous · Answer

From my Chem book. A hypothesis is a possible explanation used to explain an observation. A theory is a set of tested hypotheses that gives an explanation for what is observed in the testing of the hypotheses.
Think of it this way. Hypotheses come before testing. Theories come after. Theories are interpretive of a series of results.

anonymous · Answer

hypothesis is your first destined answer of who, what, when, where, why and how. Many scientists will use variations of the same answer to a question. But hypothesises are proposed answers, technically they aren't even questions at all. Theory is a hypothesis that has yet to be disproven. Nothing is ever proven, they only have yet to be disproven.

anonymous · Answer

maybe oversimplifying it, but "flat earth" is a hypothesis; evolution is a theory