Hypothesize vs "postulate"?

Question

When writing a scientific or engineering paper, how do we choose between *hypothesize* and *postulate*?

Answer 1

A hypothesis is a question you intend to set up an experiment to answer. So to hypothesize, as the verb form of hypothesis, is the act of asking that specific question. To postulate is to suggest the existence of something as the basis for answering a hypothesis.

An example: Niels Bohr, the Danish physicist, hypothesized that the energy levels of electrons are discrete. To prove this, he postulated the quantum leap.

Answer 2

pos·tu·late

verb

/ˈpäsCHəˌlāt/

1. suggest or assume the existence, fact, or truth of (something) as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief.

To put forth a hypothesis is to hypothesize. A hypothesis is an educated guess based on prior knowledge.

Answer 3

When you hypothesize you are offering a possibility and saying “what if XXX were true?”

When you postulate you are saying that you are assuming something is true.