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DEVELOP A HYPOTHESIS

A hypothesis is a statement of what you expect will happen in your experiment. You may state, for example, that the more blades or vanes on a wind turbine the faster it will turn. A hypothesis should state precisely what will be tested. Formulating a hypothesis will help you design your experiment so that you'll know what to measure or what data will be needed.

A hypothesis is an assertion subject to verification, testing or proof.

The more blades on a wind turbine the faster it will turn.
The smoother the shape of the blades on a wind turbine the faster it will turn.
Particulates from coal-fired power plants will disperse according to the prevailing winds.
35 mm color infared film will accurately record temperature differences and relative heat loss from a home.


Adapted From Why? Student Research, Edited by Lynn Edward Elfner

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