WGU C165 INTEGRATED PHYSICAL SCIENCES EXAM
2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Physics - ANSWER-The study of forces, energy, motion
Chemistry - ANSWER-The study of atoms and molecules, their structures, and their interactions to
form substances
Earth science - ANSWER-The study of the Earth's structure and composition, and processes that
change Earth
essential attributes of science - ANSWER-Studies the natural world
Uses testable ideas
Relies on data from observations/experiments
Presented for evaluation by other scientists
Leads to further questions/research
variables - ANSWER-The changing quantities in an experiment
independent variable - ANSWER-What you change in an experiment on purpose
dependent variable - ANSWER-The variable that changes because of an independent variable
control variable - ANSWER-The variable(s) you don't want to study, need to be either eliminated or
kept constant
observational study - ANSWER-When systems are observed as they appear in nature, researchers do
not attempt to change them
physical model - ANSWER-A model of a physical phenomenon, such as a planetary system
conceptual model - ANSWER-A model used to visualize things that cannot be seen, such as atoms
mathematical model - ANSWER-A model that treats physical objects/phenomena using mathematical
methods
computer model - ANSWER-A detailed, complex model calculated by a computer
principle of falsification - ANSWER-Principle that only falsifiable statements can be subject to scientific
inquiry
hypothesis - ANSWER-A testable statement about how something in nature works
law - ANSWER-A concise statement that is supported by scientific evidence and repeated experiments,
describes a widespread pattern in nature (what)
theory - ANSWER-A statement that explains a wide range of observations, supported by a large body
of scientific evidence (how/why)
meter - ANSWER-Base unit of length
, kilogram - ANSWER-Base unit of mass
second - ANSWER-Base unit of time
kelvin - ANSWER-Base unit of temperature
Derived units - ANSWER-What is produced when the base units/quantities are combined
Speed - ANSWER-The name for the distance traveled divided by an interval of time
Volume - ANSWER-Term for the amount of space an object occupies
Liquid displacement - ANSWER-Method of determining the volume of an object by measuring the
amount of liquid it displaces
direct relationship - ANSWER-A relationship between two variables where increasing one increases
the other, and vice versa
inverse relationship - ANSWER-A relationship between two variables where increasing one decreases
the other, and vice versa
Velocity - ANSWER-A combination of speed and direction
Acceleration - ANSWER-Term for any change in an object's speed and/or direction
Force - ANSWER-Term for a push or a pull with direction and magnitude. You may not feel it.
Net force - ANSWER-The sum of all forces acting on an object
balanced forces - ANSWER-Term for forces that combine to produce a net force of 0
Newton's first law - ANSWER-An object in motion remains in motion unless acted on by a net force
inertia - ANSWER-The tenancy to keep the same motion/velocity or remain at rest. Newton's first law
Newton's second law - ANSWER-Net force = mass x acceleration (F = ma)
Newton's third law - ANSWER-When one object exerts a force on a second object, the second object
exerts a force of the same magnitude in the opposite direction on the first object ("For every action,
an equal and opposite reaction")
friction - ANSWER-The force that opposes the motion of an object on which it acts
Kinetic friction - ANSWER-Friction between two objects moving against each other
Static friction - ANSWER-Friction between two objects touching but not moving against each other
Fluid resistance - ANSWER-Friction when an object moves through a gas or liquid
Gravity - ANSWER-Attractive force between objects directly proportional to their masses and
inversely proportional to the square of their distance
Linear momentum - ANSWER-Name for the mass of an object times its velocity
Law of conservation of momentum - ANSWER-Term for the fact that momentum is conserved when
two or more objects collide
2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Physics - ANSWER-The study of forces, energy, motion
Chemistry - ANSWER-The study of atoms and molecules, their structures, and their interactions to
form substances
Earth science - ANSWER-The study of the Earth's structure and composition, and processes that
change Earth
essential attributes of science - ANSWER-Studies the natural world
Uses testable ideas
Relies on data from observations/experiments
Presented for evaluation by other scientists
Leads to further questions/research
variables - ANSWER-The changing quantities in an experiment
independent variable - ANSWER-What you change in an experiment on purpose
dependent variable - ANSWER-The variable that changes because of an independent variable
control variable - ANSWER-The variable(s) you don't want to study, need to be either eliminated or
kept constant
observational study - ANSWER-When systems are observed as they appear in nature, researchers do
not attempt to change them
physical model - ANSWER-A model of a physical phenomenon, such as a planetary system
conceptual model - ANSWER-A model used to visualize things that cannot be seen, such as atoms
mathematical model - ANSWER-A model that treats physical objects/phenomena using mathematical
methods
computer model - ANSWER-A detailed, complex model calculated by a computer
principle of falsification - ANSWER-Principle that only falsifiable statements can be subject to scientific
inquiry
hypothesis - ANSWER-A testable statement about how something in nature works
law - ANSWER-A concise statement that is supported by scientific evidence and repeated experiments,
describes a widespread pattern in nature (what)
theory - ANSWER-A statement that explains a wide range of observations, supported by a large body
of scientific evidence (how/why)
meter - ANSWER-Base unit of length
, kilogram - ANSWER-Base unit of mass
second - ANSWER-Base unit of time
kelvin - ANSWER-Base unit of temperature
Derived units - ANSWER-What is produced when the base units/quantities are combined
Speed - ANSWER-The name for the distance traveled divided by an interval of time
Volume - ANSWER-Term for the amount of space an object occupies
Liquid displacement - ANSWER-Method of determining the volume of an object by measuring the
amount of liquid it displaces
direct relationship - ANSWER-A relationship between two variables where increasing one increases
the other, and vice versa
inverse relationship - ANSWER-A relationship between two variables where increasing one decreases
the other, and vice versa
Velocity - ANSWER-A combination of speed and direction
Acceleration - ANSWER-Term for any change in an object's speed and/or direction
Force - ANSWER-Term for a push or a pull with direction and magnitude. You may not feel it.
Net force - ANSWER-The sum of all forces acting on an object
balanced forces - ANSWER-Term for forces that combine to produce a net force of 0
Newton's first law - ANSWER-An object in motion remains in motion unless acted on by a net force
inertia - ANSWER-The tenancy to keep the same motion/velocity or remain at rest. Newton's first law
Newton's second law - ANSWER-Net force = mass x acceleration (F = ma)
Newton's third law - ANSWER-When one object exerts a force on a second object, the second object
exerts a force of the same magnitude in the opposite direction on the first object ("For every action,
an equal and opposite reaction")
friction - ANSWER-The force that opposes the motion of an object on which it acts
Kinetic friction - ANSWER-Friction between two objects moving against each other
Static friction - ANSWER-Friction between two objects touching but not moving against each other
Fluid resistance - ANSWER-Friction when an object moves through a gas or liquid
Gravity - ANSWER-Attractive force between objects directly proportional to their masses and
inversely proportional to the square of their distance
Linear momentum - ANSWER-Name for the mass of an object times its velocity
Law of conservation of momentum - ANSWER-Term for the fact that momentum is conserved when
two or more objects collide
