WGU C165QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS NEWEST 2026 UPDATE
Physics – Correct Answer The study of forces, energy, motion
Chemistry – Correct Answer The study of atoms and molecules, their structures, and their
interactions to form substances
Earth science – Correct Answer The study of the Earth’s structure and composition, and
processes that change Earth
Essential attributes of science – Correct 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 – Correct Answer The changing quantities in an experiment
Independent variable – Correct Answer What you change in an experiment on purpose
Dependent variable – Correct Answer The variable that changes because of an
independent variable
Control variable – Correct Answer The variable(s) you don’t want to study, need to be either
eliminated or kept constant
Observational study – Correct Answer When systems are observed as they appear in
nature, researchers do not attempt to change them
Physical model – Correct Answer A model of a physical phenomenon, such as a planetary
system
Conceptual model – Correct Answer A model used to visualize things that cannot be seen,
such as atoms
Mathematical model – Correct Answer A model that treats physical objects/phenomena
using mathematical methods
Computer model – Correct Answer A detailed, complex model calculated by a computer
, Principle of falsification – Correct Answer Principle that only falsifiable statements can be
subject to scientific inquiry
Hypothesis – Correct Answer A testable statement about how something in nature works
Law – Correct Answer A concise statement that is supported by scientific evidence and
repeated experiments, describes a widespread pattern in nature (what)
Theory – Correct Answer A statement that explains a wide range of observations, supported
by a large body of scientific evidence (how/why)
Meter – Correct Answer Base unit of length
Kilogram – Correct Answer Base unit of mass
Second – Correct Answer Base unit of time
Kelvin – Correct Answer Base unit of temperature
Derived units – Correct Answer What is produced when the base units/quantities are
combined
Speed – Correct Answer The name for the distance traveled divided by an interval of time
Volume – Correct Answer Term for the amount of space an object occupies
Liquid displacement – Correct Answer Method of determining the volume of an object by
measuring the amount of liquid it displaces
Direct relationship – Correct Answer A relationship between two variables where increasing
one increases the other, and vice versa
Inverse relationship – Correct Answer A relationship between two variables where
increasing one decreases the other, and vice versa
Velocity – Correct Answer A combination of speed and direction
Acceleration – Correct Answer Term for any change in an object’s speed and/or direction
Force – Correct Answer Term for a push or a pull with direction and magnitude. You may not
feel it.
Net force – Correct Answer The sum of all forces acting on an object
Balanced forces – Correct Answer Term for forces that combine to produce a net force of 0
Newton’s first law – Correct Answer An object in motion remains in motion unless acted on
by a net force
ANSWERS NEWEST 2026 UPDATE
Physics – Correct Answer The study of forces, energy, motion
Chemistry – Correct Answer The study of atoms and molecules, their structures, and their
interactions to form substances
Earth science – Correct Answer The study of the Earth’s structure and composition, and
processes that change Earth
Essential attributes of science – Correct 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 – Correct Answer The changing quantities in an experiment
Independent variable – Correct Answer What you change in an experiment on purpose
Dependent variable – Correct Answer The variable that changes because of an
independent variable
Control variable – Correct Answer The variable(s) you don’t want to study, need to be either
eliminated or kept constant
Observational study – Correct Answer When systems are observed as they appear in
nature, researchers do not attempt to change them
Physical model – Correct Answer A model of a physical phenomenon, such as a planetary
system
Conceptual model – Correct Answer A model used to visualize things that cannot be seen,
such as atoms
Mathematical model – Correct Answer A model that treats physical objects/phenomena
using mathematical methods
Computer model – Correct Answer A detailed, complex model calculated by a computer
, Principle of falsification – Correct Answer Principle that only falsifiable statements can be
subject to scientific inquiry
Hypothesis – Correct Answer A testable statement about how something in nature works
Law – Correct Answer A concise statement that is supported by scientific evidence and
repeated experiments, describes a widespread pattern in nature (what)
Theory – Correct Answer A statement that explains a wide range of observations, supported
by a large body of scientific evidence (how/why)
Meter – Correct Answer Base unit of length
Kilogram – Correct Answer Base unit of mass
Second – Correct Answer Base unit of time
Kelvin – Correct Answer Base unit of temperature
Derived units – Correct Answer What is produced when the base units/quantities are
combined
Speed – Correct Answer The name for the distance traveled divided by an interval of time
Volume – Correct Answer Term for the amount of space an object occupies
Liquid displacement – Correct Answer Method of determining the volume of an object by
measuring the amount of liquid it displaces
Direct relationship – Correct Answer A relationship between two variables where increasing
one increases the other, and vice versa
Inverse relationship – Correct Answer A relationship between two variables where
increasing one decreases the other, and vice versa
Velocity – Correct Answer A combination of speed and direction
Acceleration – Correct Answer Term for any change in an object’s speed and/or direction
Force – Correct Answer Term for a push or a pull with direction and magnitude. You may not
feel it.
Net force – Correct Answer The sum of all forces acting on an object
Balanced forces – Correct Answer Term for forces that combine to produce a net force of 0
Newton’s first law – Correct Answer An object in motion remains in motion unless acted on
by a net force
