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Understand the progression from hypotheses to theories in the timeline of discoveries listed in this chapter.

A. Hypotheses evolve into theories as more evidence accumulates, and theories are eventually disproven.
B. Hypotheses are untested ideas, while theories are well-established facts.
C. Hypotheses become laws, which are unchangeable, and theories are explanations for laws.
D. Hypotheses are refined and tested, leading to the development of theories based on extensive supporting evidence.

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User Artemean
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Final answer:

Hypotheses are tested and refined through experimentation, and those that are extensively supported by evidence may develop into theories. Theories provide broad explanations for phenomena and remain as such, not becoming laws. Scientific laws, usually mathematical, summarize consistent relationships observed in large data sets.

Step-by-step explanation:

The main answer to the question regarding the progression from hypotheses to theories is that hypotheses are refined and tested, leading to the development of theories based on extensive supporting evidence. A hypothesis becomes a scientific theory when it has been thoroughly tested and confirmed as a reliable explanation for a set of observations or phenomena. Scientific laws, on the other hand, are concise descriptions of parts of the world, often expressed in mathematical forms. It's crucial to understand that hypotheses do not evolve into laws; rather, laws are patterns seen in large amounts of data. Further, theories do not turn into laws with more evidence; they remain deep explanations of observed phenomena that are complex and include many interrelated hypotheses. A theory can be modified if new data or better evidence is presented.An example of this progression can be seen in the development of atomic theory. Early hypotheses about the existence of atoms were tested through experiments, and over time, a comprehensive theory that explains the behavior and interaction of atoms was formulated. This atomic theory remains a theory and does not become a law even though it is supported by extensive evidence.Explanation in more than 100 words can be found in the details of the scientific method, where the testing of hypotheses is a key step. It involves careful experimentation and observation, leading to the acceptance, modification, or rejection of hypotheses. Through repeated testing and confirmation, a robust hypothesis may be elevated to the status of a theory, which encompasses a broader range of phenomena and is supported by a significant body of evidence.In conclusion, the relationship between hypotheses, laws, and theories is characterized by the level of verification and scope. While hypotheses serve as the starting point for scientific investigation, theories represent well-tested and generally accepted explanations, and laws summarize the consistent relationships observed in nature.

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User Docjay
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