[kj2011]

I have to design a science experiment. I need to give my hypothesis and then give my prediction in an "if, then" statement. I thought that the hypothesis and the prediction were the same thing. What is the difference?

[ylaira]

A hypothesis (from Greek ὑπόθεσις) consists either of a suggested explanation for a phenomenon (an event that is observable),or of a reasoned proposal suggesting a possible correlation between multiple phenomena. The term derives from the Greek, hypotithenai meaning "to put under" or "to suppose." The scientific method requires that one can test a scientific hypothesis. Scientists generally base such hypotheses on previous observations or on extensions of scientific theories. Even though the words "hypothesis" and "theory" are often used synonymously in common and informal usage, a scientific hypothesis is not the same as a scientific theory.

Hypothesis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Main Entry: hy·poth·e·sis
Pronunciation: \hī-ˈpä-thə-səs\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural hy·poth·e·ses \-ˌsēz\
Etymology: Greek, from hypotithenai to put under, suppose, from hypo- + tithenai to put — more at do
Date: circa 1656
1 a: an assumption or concession made for the sake of argument b: an interpretation of a practical situation or condition taken as the ground for action
2: a tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences
3: the antecedent clause of a conditional statement
synonyms hypothesis, theory, law mean a formula derived by inference from scientific data that explains a principle operating in nature. Hypothesis implies insufficient evidence to provide more than a tentative explanation <a hypothesis explaining the extinction of the dinosaurs>. Theory implies a greater range of evidence and greater likelihood of truth <the theory of evolution>. Law implies a statement of order and relation in nature that has been found to be invariable under the same conditions <the law of gravitation>.

hypothesis - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

A prediction is a statement or claim that a particular event will occur in the future in more certain terms than a forecast. The etymology of this word is Latin (from præ- "before" plus dicere "to say"). Niels Bohr stated "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future."

Prediction - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

\pri-ˈdik-shən\
Function: noun
Date: 1561
1 : an act of predicting
2 : something that is predicted : forecast

prediction - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary