[Campbell Biology P.67] Which of the following statements about scientific inquiry and hypo... | Practice Question

Which of the following statements about scientific inquiry and hypotheses is FALSE?

  • A: A scientific hypothesis must be testable through observation or experiment.
  • B: Science can address questions about natural phenomena but not supernatural explanations.
  • C: If an experiment's results match the prediction, the hypothesis is definitively proven true.
  • D: Deductive reasoning in science typically moves from general premises to specific predictions.

Explanation

The text explicitly states, 'Second, we can never prove that a hypothesis is true. Suppose that replacing the bulb fixed the lamp. The burnt-out bulb hypothesis would be the most likely explanation, but testing supports that hypothesis not by proving that it is correct, but rather by failing to prove it incorrect.' This clarifies that science supports hypotheses, but does not definitively 'prove' them.