How does something become a theory?

Answer 1

*The previous answer was horribly wrong.*

In order for a concept or idea to go from "hypothesis" to a "theory", it has to be tested a LOT. These include finding major evidence, trying to prove the hypothesis wrong (and failing to do so), finding the logic behind why the hypothesis makes sense (or acts the way it does), repeating any tests and/or results to verify it, etc. etc.

Since nothing can be absolutely proven, a theory is generally as high as you go in scientific data (it's right up there with Laws). It's a common misconception to think that a theory is nothing more then someone guessing (like how people say "Oh I have this theory that..."). You have to remember that Gravity is a theory too, and these things generally have a massive amount of evidence backing them up.

Answer 2

A scientific idea becomes a theory when it is extensively tested and supported by evidence from multiple experiments and observations. The theory also needs to be able to make accurate predictions about the natural world.

Answer 3

When hypothesis or hypotheses are tested by experiments and are not falsified they may become a theory.

Answer 4

A hypothesis becomes a theory when it is proved to be true over time.