How is a hypothesis different from a fact?

A hypothesis is fundamentally a proposed explanation or prediction that can be tested through research. It is an initial idea or statement about the relationship between variables, formulated to be examined scientifically. The key difference from a fact lies in the testing process; a hypothesis has not been conclusively tested or proven as true.

In contrast to a hypothesis, a fact is an observation that has been demonstrated to be true and is supported by evidence. This strengthens the understanding that a hypothesis represents a starting point for investigation rather than an established truth.

While other options may seem plausible, they do not accurately capture the nature of a hypothesis. For example, stating that a hypothesis is a belief that has been tested misrepresents the concept because if it has been tested, it may have been validated or refuted, therefore transitioning it from a hypothesis to either a conclusion or a fact. Similarly, a hypothesis cannot be considered a widely accepted truth, as it is meant to be uncertain and open to testing. Finally, describing a hypothesis as the final step of experimentation is incorrect since a hypothesis is formed at the beginning of the research process to guide the experiments that will follow.