What is the definition of a hypothesis?

• A. A proven fact.
• B. A random guess.
• C. A proposed explanation for a phenomenon that can be tested through experimentation.
• D. A subjective belief.

Answer: (C)

In science, a hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon that can be tested through experimentation. It starts from what you’ve observed and offers a specific, testable claim so you can make predictions, run experiments, and see whether the data support or refute it. The key is testability and falsifiability: a hypothesis isn’t just a guess, and it isn’t a proven fact or a personal belief. It’s a reasoned statement that can be examined by evidence. For example, if you hypothesize that increasing sunlight speeds up plant growth, you can design an experiment with different light levels and measure growth to see if the prediction holds.