Several statements are listed below. For each statement, determine and justify w

Question

Several statements are listed below.

For each statement, determine and justify whether it is a testable hypothesis.

a) “If you turn out all the lights, you will fall asleep much faster.”
( Is it a testable hypothesis?    Yes   or   No   )

b) “If the size and shape of the molecules are related to the rate of diffusion as they pass through a membrane, then larger and more linear, polar molecules will flow through at a lower rate.”
( Is it a testable hypothesis?    Yes   or   No   )

c) “If I cover the perspective anti-cancer drug with a non-polar coating for easier penetration through the cellular membrane then I can treat cancer with lower quantity of the drug and the drug will be acting more efficiently.”
( Is it a testable hypothesis?    Yes   or   No   )

d) “A feather and a hammer will fall with the same acceleration if dropped from the same height on the Moon.”
( Is it a testable hypothesis?    Yes   or   No   )

Explanation / Answer

a) No it is not a testable hypothesis because there is no tentative relationship between the variables which is followed by the prediction. In a testable hypothesis there is a dependence of one variable on another. An example of testable hypothesis will be:

If sleep is related to darkness, then turning off all the lights will result in much faster sleep.

b) Yes it is a testable hypothesis because the portion of hypothesis indicated by "if" can be tested to find whether the prediction given by "then" portion of the hypothesis is correct or not.

c) No it is not a testable hypothesis because there is no tentative relationship between the variables which is followed by the prediction. In a testable hypothesis there is a dependence of one variable on another. In the given case the relationship between the non polar coating and its resultant efficacy is not known. Also there is more than one variable which can change and thus affect the results. Therefore, the hypothesis cannot be tested.

d) No it is not a testable hypothesis. The testing portion is not distinguished from the prediction in the sentence structure. The variables to be tested are not clearly defined.

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