Which term identifies the independent variable being tested and makes a prediction about the expected outcome?

Which term identifies the independent variable being tested and makes a prediction about the expected outcome?

• A. Atom
• B. Hypothesis
• C. Direct evidence
• D. Indirect evidence

Answer: (B)

A hypothesis is a statement that links what you plan to change in an experiment to what you expect to observe. It identifies the independent variable you’re testing and makes a prediction about the outcome, so you can test it with data. For example, if you change the amount of fertilizer, you would predict how plant height will respond. This makes the hypothesis testable and guides what data to collect to support or refute the claim. The other terms don’t fit: an atom is about the basic unit of matter, not about predicting experimental results, and direct or indirect evidence describes kinds of information, not the forecast of an experiment’s outcome.

A hypothesis is a statement that links what you plan to change in an experiment to what you expect to observe. It identifies the independent variable you’re testing and makes a prediction about the outcome, so you can test it with data. For example, if you change the amount of fertilizer, you would predict how plant height will respond. This makes the hypothesis testable and guides what data to collect to support or refute the claim. The other terms don’t fit: an atom is about the basic unit of matter, not about predicting experimental results, and direct or indirect evidence describes kinds of information, not the forecast of an experiment’s outcome.