Which term best describes a broad, well-tested scientific explanation?

Which term best describes a broad, well-tested scientific explanation?

• A. Law
• B. Scientific theory
• C. Hypothesis
• D. Model

Answer: (B)

A scientific theory is a broad, well-supported framework that explains a wide range of phenomena and rests on a large body of evidence from experiments and observations. It not only accounts for why things happen but also lets scientists make predictions that can be tested with new data. This combination of wide scope, strong evidence, and predictive power makes it the best fit for describing a thorough, well-tested understanding. By contrast, a law describes consistent relationships in nature without addressing why they occur; a hypothesis is a tentative guess needing further testing; a model is a simplified representation used for specific situations. Because a theory integrates many findings into a cohesive picture and can be refined as new evidence emerges, it best matches the idea of a broad, well-tested scientific account.

A scientific theory is a broad, well-supported framework that explains a wide range of phenomena and rests on a large body of evidence from experiments and observations. It not only accounts for why things happen but also lets scientists make predictions that can be tested with new data. This combination of wide scope, strong evidence, and predictive power makes it the best fit for describing a thorough, well-tested understanding. By contrast, a law describes consistent relationships in nature without addressing why they occur; a hypothesis is a tentative guess needing further testing; a model is a simplified representation used for specific situations. Because a theory integrates many findings into a cohesive picture and can be refined as new evidence emerges, it best matches the idea of a broad, well-tested scientific account.