HYPOTHESIS OR NOT Hypothesis or Not Raising the

HYPOTHESIS OR NOT?

Hypothesis or Not? Raising the temperature of water will increase the speed in which Kool-Aid dissolves. Answer: Yes, this is a hypothesis. It is testable and has a clear independent variable (temperature of water) and dependent variable (rate at which Kool-Aid dissolves).

Hypothesis or Not? Albert Einstein was the greatest scientist in history. Answer: Not. This is an opinion and not something that could be tested.

Hypothesis or Not? Children who don’t watch TV are smarter than children who do watch TV. Answer: No, this is not a hypothesis. It is too general, and therefore, could not be tested. “Smartness” is too general, as well as “children who watch TV”. If it was revised to be more specific, i. e. : “Children who watch more than 10 hours a week of TV will score less on the state achievement test than children who watch less than 10 hours a week of TV”, then it could be tested.

Hypothesis or Not? If a person does cardio exercise three or more times per week, they will have a greater lung capacity than a person who does cardio exercise less than three times per week. Answer: Yes, this is a testable hypothesis. It has a clear independent variable (amount of cardio exercise/week) and dependent variable (lung capacity).

Hypothesis or Not? Hoodia is a natural supplement that will help people look fabulous. Answer: No, not a hypothesis. “Looking fabulous” is not measurable. If this was rewritten, i. e. : “If a person takes Hoodia twice a day, they will lose 1 -2 pounds per week”, then it could be a hypothesis because it could be measured and tested.

Hypothesis or Not? If a person takes vitamins each day, they will be healthier. Answer: No, not a hypothesis. There is no way to measure “healthier”. If it was more specific, such as “will have less cholesterol” and specified which vitamin, then it could be tested.

Hypothesis or Not? A plant grown with salt added to its soil will be shorter than a plant grown with no salt added to its soil. Answer: Yes, this is a testable hypothesis. It has a clear independent variable (salt or no salt in soil) and dependent variable (plant height).

Hypothesis or Not? Goldendoodles are friendlier than Great Danes. Answer: No, not a hypothesis. A “friendly” dog is subjective and not able to be measured.

Hypothesis or Not? Growing a plant under a red light bulb will increase the rate at which it grows. Answer: Yes, this is a hypothesis. It could be tested with an experiment and has a clear independent variable (light color) and dependent variable (growth rate).

Hypothesis or Not? If a person lives in the Midwest, they will be friendlier than other people. Answer: No, not a hypothesis. There is no way to measure “friendlier”.

Hypothesis or Not? Bacteria will grow more quickly in a warm environment than a cold environment. Answer: Yes, this is a hypothesis. This is testable and has a clearly identifiable independent variable (temperature) and dependent variable (bacteria growth).

Hypothesis or Not? If a seed is exposed to acids with a p. H less than 4, it will not germinate. Answer: Yes, this is a hypothesis. It is testable and has a clear independent variable (p. H level) and dependent variable (seed germination).

Hypothesis or Not? A plant that is grown with fertilizer will grow taller than a plant grown without fertilizer. Answer: Yes, this is a testable hypothesis. It has a clear independent variable (use of fertilizer) and dependent variable (plant height).

Hypothesis or Not? If a person plays the lottery, they will become rich. Answer: No, this is not a hypothesis. This is a prediction, not a testable statement.

Hypothesis or Not? Store brand batteries are able to run a battery-operated device, such as a portable fan, for the same amount of time as national brand batteries. Answer: Yes, this is a testable hypothesis. It has a clear independent variable (brand/type of battery) and dependent variable (run time in a portable fan).

Hypothesis or Not? If you use Swifter Max solution, then your floors will look like new. Answer: No, not a hypothesis. The statement is not testable. There is no way to measure “floor looks like new”.

Think about… --How are hypotheses developed? --Are there questions outside the realm of science? Are these types of questions testable? YOUR TASK… 1) On your half sheet of paper think of a question they have that could be tested using scientific methods. 2) Develop a hypothesis for this question. 3) Explain how you would test your hypothesis?