What is Science?Online version science, hypothesis, theory by BECKY GAFFNEY 1 Science 2 Hypothesis 3 Theory The study of the nature and behavior of natural things and the knowledge that we obtain about them Comes from Latin word "scientia" meaning "knowledge" A system of acquiring knowledge based on the scientific process An "educated guess," based on prior knowledge and observation Example: If UV light can damage the eyes, then maybe UV light is a cause of blindness. a proposed explanation for something that can actually be tested An explanation of some aspect of the natural world that has been substantiated through repeated experiments or testing Because it is so well supported, it has a very good chance of being a correct explanation for events in nature Example: Dalton's Atomic Theory