Which term describes a testable statement about how something in nature works?

A testable statement about how something in nature works is best described as a hypothesis. A hypothesis is essentially a proposed explanation or prediction based on limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation. It is formulated in such a way that it can be tested through experimentation or observation, allowing scientists to gather data to support or refute the statement.

In contrast, a theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is based on a body of evidence. Theories are developed after extensive testing and are widely accepted, but they encompass broader concepts and multiple hypotheses. A law describes a consistent relationship observed in nature, typically expressed in the form of a mathematical equation, but does not explain why that relationship exists. A model, while it can help visualize or represent a concept, does not necessarily provide a testable statement; rather, it serves to explain or predict phenomena based on established knowledge. Thus, the term that precisely captures the idea of a testable statement is the hypothesis.