WGU C165 Integrated Physical Sciences
PA Questions and Answers
1. A mathematical model is used to predict the trajectory of a bullet
fired from a gun.
Which discipline of physical science is used to develop this model?
Physics
Chemistry
Earth
science
Astronomy
Answer Physics
2. An environmental scientist monitors pollutants in a lake.
Which two disciplines of physical science does this scientist
use? Choose 2 answers
Astronomy
Chemistry
Earth
science
Physics
Answer Chemistry & Earth Science
,3. Which study involves both Earth science and physics?
Calculating how much energy is associated with a hurricane
Measuring the energy produced by a generator
Comparing the composition of crude oil from different regions
Monitoring changes in phosphorus levels of a lake
Answer Calculating how much energy is associ-
ated with a hurricane
4. Which question could be answered with a controlled experiment?
Does ice melt faster in an empty glass or in a glass full of
water? Do all planets have the same shape of orbit around
the sun?
What is the maximum distance between Earth and Jupiter?
What is the length of the longest river in North America?
Answer Does ice melt faster in an empty
glass or in a glass full of water?
5. Which topic would be appropriate for a controlled experiment?
Determining how fast different chemical pollutants dissolve in water
Comparing the elements present in different stars
Measuring how fast a river flows
Predicting the path of a tornado
,Answer Determining how fast different chemical pollutants dissolve in water
6. Which question requires a controlled experiment to answer?
Which type of rock contains the most
calcium? Which planet has the most moons?
Which elements are found in Earth's atmosphere?
Which fossils formed earliest in Earth's history?
Answer Which type of rock contains the most calcium?
7. Sir Isaac Newton discovered that the force of gravity between two
masses increases if the masses increase, and decreases if the distance
between the masses increases. No experiments have ever contradicted
this relationship.
Which type of scientific statement is this?
Hypothesis
Theor
y Law
Prediction
Answer Law
8. The well-accepted scientific explanation for many characteristics of
Earth's crust states that the crust is broken into several large plates.
These plates move slowly over the mantle below because of convection
and other processes. Earthquakes and volcanoes are most common at
places where the plates inter- act. Evidence from physics, chemistry, and
, geology supports this explanation.
Which type of scientific idea is this explanation an example
of? Hypothesis
Theory
Law
Prediction
Answer Theory
9. A student proposes that sugar will dissolve faster in rubbing alcohol
than in water. The student reasons that sugar and rubbing alcohol both
contain carbon so they will mix more easily.
Which type of scientific idea is the student's proposal an example of?
Hypothesi
s Theory
Law
Observation
Answer Hypothesis
10. Why was the shrinking Earth idea replaced by the theory of plate
tectonics?
Plate tectonics was a new theory, which made it more reliable.
Plate tectonics explained observations about Earth that the shrinking
Earth idea could not explain.
PA Questions and Answers
1. A mathematical model is used to predict the trajectory of a bullet
fired from a gun.
Which discipline of physical science is used to develop this model?
Physics
Chemistry
Earth
science
Astronomy
Answer Physics
2. An environmental scientist monitors pollutants in a lake.
Which two disciplines of physical science does this scientist
use? Choose 2 answers
Astronomy
Chemistry
Earth
science
Physics
Answer Chemistry & Earth Science
,3. Which study involves both Earth science and physics?
Calculating how much energy is associated with a hurricane
Measuring the energy produced by a generator
Comparing the composition of crude oil from different regions
Monitoring changes in phosphorus levels of a lake
Answer Calculating how much energy is associ-
ated with a hurricane
4. Which question could be answered with a controlled experiment?
Does ice melt faster in an empty glass or in a glass full of
water? Do all planets have the same shape of orbit around
the sun?
What is the maximum distance between Earth and Jupiter?
What is the length of the longest river in North America?
Answer Does ice melt faster in an empty
glass or in a glass full of water?
5. Which topic would be appropriate for a controlled experiment?
Determining how fast different chemical pollutants dissolve in water
Comparing the elements present in different stars
Measuring how fast a river flows
Predicting the path of a tornado
,Answer Determining how fast different chemical pollutants dissolve in water
6. Which question requires a controlled experiment to answer?
Which type of rock contains the most
calcium? Which planet has the most moons?
Which elements are found in Earth's atmosphere?
Which fossils formed earliest in Earth's history?
Answer Which type of rock contains the most calcium?
7. Sir Isaac Newton discovered that the force of gravity between two
masses increases if the masses increase, and decreases if the distance
between the masses increases. No experiments have ever contradicted
this relationship.
Which type of scientific statement is this?
Hypothesis
Theor
y Law
Prediction
Answer Law
8. The well-accepted scientific explanation for many characteristics of
Earth's crust states that the crust is broken into several large plates.
These plates move slowly over the mantle below because of convection
and other processes. Earthquakes and volcanoes are most common at
places where the plates inter- act. Evidence from physics, chemistry, and
, geology supports this explanation.
Which type of scientific idea is this explanation an example
of? Hypothesis
Theory
Law
Prediction
Answer Theory
9. A student proposes that sugar will dissolve faster in rubbing alcohol
than in water. The student reasons that sugar and rubbing alcohol both
contain carbon so they will mix more easily.
Which type of scientific idea is the student's proposal an example of?
Hypothesi
s Theory
Law
Observation
Answer Hypothesis
10. Why was the shrinking Earth idea replaced by the theory of plate
tectonics?
Plate tectonics was a new theory, which made it more reliable.
Plate tectonics explained observations about Earth that the shrinking
Earth idea could not explain.
