WGU C165 INTEGRATED PHYSICAL SCIENCES EXAM
2026/2027 | Verified Edition Questions and Answers |
Complete OA Prep | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Physics - Motion, Forces, Energy (Questions 1-35)
Q1: A car traveling at 40 mph strikes a tree. The driver, who is not wearing a seatbelt,
continues moving forward at 40 mph and hits the windshield. Which of Newton's laws
best explains why the driver is injured?
A. Newton's First Law (Inertia) [CORRECT]
B. Newton's Second Law (F=ma)
C. Newton's Third Law (Action-Reaction)
D. The Law of Universal Gravitation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: WGU C165 curriculum emphasizes Newton's First Law (inertia): an object in
motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force; the seatbelt provides
this force. B relates force to acceleration, C relates interacting pairs, and D relates to
gravitational pull between masses.
Q2: A velocity-time graph shows a horizontal line at 5 m/s. What does this indicate
about the object's motion?
A. The object is accelerating at 5 m/s².
B. The object is moving at a constant speed of 5 m/s in one direction. [CORRECT]
C. The object is stationary.
D. The object is decelerating.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WGU C165 physics modules state that on a velocity-time graph, a horizontal
line represents zero acceleration, meaning the object maintains a constant velocity
(both speed and direction). A shows a sloped line, C is a horizontal line at zero, and D
shows a negatively sloped line.
Q3: In a vacuum, a bowling ball and a feather are dropped from the same height at the
same time. Which object hits the ground first?
A. The bowling ball, because it has more mass and therefore more gravity pulling it
down.
B. The feather, because it has less air resistance.
C. They hit at the exact same time, because acceleration due to gravity is constant
regardless of mass. [CORRECT]
D. The bowling ball, because it has greater inertia.
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: WGU C165 kinematics principles dictate that in the absence of air resistance,
all objects accelerate at the same rate (9.8 m/s²) regardless of mass, debunking the
common misconception that heavier objects fall faster. A and D incorrectly apply mass
to gravitational acceleration; B applies a fluid-dynamic concept to a vacuum.
Q4: If a net force of 20 N is applied to a 5 kg box, what is its acceleration?
A. 100 m/s²
B. 15 m/s²
C. 4 m/s²
D. 0.25 m/s² [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: WGU C165 curriculum utilizes Newton's Second Law (F=ma); rearranging for
acceleration gives a = F/m (20 N / 5 kg = 4 m/s²). A is the result of multiplying force and
mass, B is subtracting, and D is dividing mass by force.
Q5: A person pushes against a solid brick wall with 50 N of force. The wall does not
move. According to Newton's Third Law, what is the reaction force?
A. The person's muscles generating 50 N of force.
B. The wall pushing back on the person with 50 N of force. [CORRECT]
C. The wall absorbing the 50 N of force.
D. The ground pushing the person forward with 50 N of force.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WGU C165 identifies Newton's Third Law as interacting force pairs where
Action = Reaction; the wall exerts an equal and opposite 50 N force on the person. A
describes the action force's origin, C is a common misconception (walls don't "absorb"
force as a reaction pair), and D is friction, not the wall's reaction.
Q6: A roller coaster car is moving slowly up a steep hill. At the very top, it momentarily
stops before plummeting down the other side. At what point is its potential energy at its
maximum and kinetic energy at its minimum?
A. At the bottom of the first hill.
B. Halfway up the hill.
C. At the very top of the hill. [CORRECT]
D. Just before it hits the bottom of the second hill.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: WGU C165 energy transformation principles state that gravitational potential
energy depends entirely on height (PE = mgh) and is maximized at the highest point,
while kinetic energy (KE = ½mv²) is zero when velocity is zero at the top. All other points
involve some motion and lower heights.
,Q7: A student carries a heavy backpack across the classroom at a constant speed. How
much work is done on the backpack by the student?
A. A large amount of work, because the backpack is heavy.
B. No work is done, because the force applied is vertical but the motion is horizontal.
[CORRECT]
C. Work equal to the weight of the backpack multiplied by the distance.
D. Work equal to the mass of the backpack multiplied by gravity.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WGU C165 defines work (W = Fd cos θ) as requiring force to be applied in
the direction of motion; the upward force is perpendicular (cos 90° = 0) to the horizontal
displacement. A and C misunderstand the directional requirement of work, and D
calculates weight, not work.
Q8: A machine requires 800 J of input work to lift a 400 N load to a height of 1.5 m.
What is the efficiency of this machine?
A. 75%
B. 50%
C. 25%
D. 100% [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: WGU C165 formulas for efficiency require calculating output work (Force x
distance = 400 N x 1.5 m = 600 J) and dividing by input work (600 J / 800 J = 0.75 or
75%). B and C are calculation errors, and D violates the law of conservation of energy
which dictates some energy is always lost to friction.
Q9: Which of the following is the correct formula for calculating power?
A. P = F x d
B. P = W / t [CORRECT]
C. P = m x g x h
D. P = ½mv²
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WGU C165 defines power as the rate at which work is done, expressed as
Work divided by time (P = W/t). A is the formula for work, C is for gravitational potential
energy, and D is for kinetic energy.
Q10: A position-time graph shows a curved line that is getting steeper as time
progresses. What does this indicate?
A. The object is moving at a constant velocity.
B. The object is not moving.
C. The object is accelerating. [CORRECT]
D. The object is decelerating to a stop.
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: WGU C165 graphing motion principles state that a curving, steepening line
on a position-time graph indicates increasing velocity over time, which is the definition of
positive acceleration. A is a straight, sloped line; B is a flat horizontal line; D is a curve
that flattens out.
Q11: An astronaut has a mass of 80 kg on Earth. If she travels to a planet with half the
gravity of Earth, what are her mass and weight on the new planet?
A. Mass is 40 kg, weight is 392 N.
B. Mass is 80 kg, weight is 392 N. [CORRECT]
C. Mass is 80 kg, weight is 784 N.
D. Mass is 40 kg, weight is 784 N.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WGU C165 distinguishes mass (amount of matter, constant everywhere)
from weight (force of gravity, W=mg); mass remains 80 kg, but weight becomes 80 kg x
(9.8/2 m/s²) = 392 N. A and D incorrectly change mass based on gravity, and C fails to
halve the gravity.
Q12: Which of the following is an example of a vector quantity?
A. A temperature of 25°C
B. A time of 10 seconds
C. A velocity of 15 m/s east [CORRECT]
D. A mass of 5 kilograms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: WGU C165 physics fundamentals define vector quantities as having both
magnitude and direction; velocity includes speed (15 m/s) and direction (east). A, B, and
D are scalar quantities, possessing only magnitude.
Q13: A skydiver jumps out of a plane. After a few seconds, she stops accelerating and
falls at a constant speed. What is this speed called?
A. Terminal velocity [CORRECT]
B. Free fall acceleration
C. Gravitational constant
D. Instantaneous speed
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: WGU C165 kinematics explains terminal velocity as the point where the
downward force of gravity is perfectly balanced by the upward force of air resistance,
resulting in zero net force and constant velocity. B implies continuous acceleration, C is
a universal constant (g), and D is just speed at a specific moment.
2026/2027 | Verified Edition Questions and Answers |
Complete OA Prep | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Physics - Motion, Forces, Energy (Questions 1-35)
Q1: A car traveling at 40 mph strikes a tree. The driver, who is not wearing a seatbelt,
continues moving forward at 40 mph and hits the windshield. Which of Newton's laws
best explains why the driver is injured?
A. Newton's First Law (Inertia) [CORRECT]
B. Newton's Second Law (F=ma)
C. Newton's Third Law (Action-Reaction)
D. The Law of Universal Gravitation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: WGU C165 curriculum emphasizes Newton's First Law (inertia): an object in
motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force; the seatbelt provides
this force. B relates force to acceleration, C relates interacting pairs, and D relates to
gravitational pull between masses.
Q2: A velocity-time graph shows a horizontal line at 5 m/s. What does this indicate
about the object's motion?
A. The object is accelerating at 5 m/s².
B. The object is moving at a constant speed of 5 m/s in one direction. [CORRECT]
C. The object is stationary.
D. The object is decelerating.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WGU C165 physics modules state that on a velocity-time graph, a horizontal
line represents zero acceleration, meaning the object maintains a constant velocity
(both speed and direction). A shows a sloped line, C is a horizontal line at zero, and D
shows a negatively sloped line.
Q3: In a vacuum, a bowling ball and a feather are dropped from the same height at the
same time. Which object hits the ground first?
A. The bowling ball, because it has more mass and therefore more gravity pulling it
down.
B. The feather, because it has less air resistance.
C. They hit at the exact same time, because acceleration due to gravity is constant
regardless of mass. [CORRECT]
D. The bowling ball, because it has greater inertia.
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: WGU C165 kinematics principles dictate that in the absence of air resistance,
all objects accelerate at the same rate (9.8 m/s²) regardless of mass, debunking the
common misconception that heavier objects fall faster. A and D incorrectly apply mass
to gravitational acceleration; B applies a fluid-dynamic concept to a vacuum.
Q4: If a net force of 20 N is applied to a 5 kg box, what is its acceleration?
A. 100 m/s²
B. 15 m/s²
C. 4 m/s²
D. 0.25 m/s² [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: WGU C165 curriculum utilizes Newton's Second Law (F=ma); rearranging for
acceleration gives a = F/m (20 N / 5 kg = 4 m/s²). A is the result of multiplying force and
mass, B is subtracting, and D is dividing mass by force.
Q5: A person pushes against a solid brick wall with 50 N of force. The wall does not
move. According to Newton's Third Law, what is the reaction force?
A. The person's muscles generating 50 N of force.
B. The wall pushing back on the person with 50 N of force. [CORRECT]
C. The wall absorbing the 50 N of force.
D. The ground pushing the person forward with 50 N of force.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WGU C165 identifies Newton's Third Law as interacting force pairs where
Action = Reaction; the wall exerts an equal and opposite 50 N force on the person. A
describes the action force's origin, C is a common misconception (walls don't "absorb"
force as a reaction pair), and D is friction, not the wall's reaction.
Q6: A roller coaster car is moving slowly up a steep hill. At the very top, it momentarily
stops before plummeting down the other side. At what point is its potential energy at its
maximum and kinetic energy at its minimum?
A. At the bottom of the first hill.
B. Halfway up the hill.
C. At the very top of the hill. [CORRECT]
D. Just before it hits the bottom of the second hill.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: WGU C165 energy transformation principles state that gravitational potential
energy depends entirely on height (PE = mgh) and is maximized at the highest point,
while kinetic energy (KE = ½mv²) is zero when velocity is zero at the top. All other points
involve some motion and lower heights.
,Q7: A student carries a heavy backpack across the classroom at a constant speed. How
much work is done on the backpack by the student?
A. A large amount of work, because the backpack is heavy.
B. No work is done, because the force applied is vertical but the motion is horizontal.
[CORRECT]
C. Work equal to the weight of the backpack multiplied by the distance.
D. Work equal to the mass of the backpack multiplied by gravity.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WGU C165 defines work (W = Fd cos θ) as requiring force to be applied in
the direction of motion; the upward force is perpendicular (cos 90° = 0) to the horizontal
displacement. A and C misunderstand the directional requirement of work, and D
calculates weight, not work.
Q8: A machine requires 800 J of input work to lift a 400 N load to a height of 1.5 m.
What is the efficiency of this machine?
A. 75%
B. 50%
C. 25%
D. 100% [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: WGU C165 formulas for efficiency require calculating output work (Force x
distance = 400 N x 1.5 m = 600 J) and dividing by input work (600 J / 800 J = 0.75 or
75%). B and C are calculation errors, and D violates the law of conservation of energy
which dictates some energy is always lost to friction.
Q9: Which of the following is the correct formula for calculating power?
A. P = F x d
B. P = W / t [CORRECT]
C. P = m x g x h
D. P = ½mv²
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WGU C165 defines power as the rate at which work is done, expressed as
Work divided by time (P = W/t). A is the formula for work, C is for gravitational potential
energy, and D is for kinetic energy.
Q10: A position-time graph shows a curved line that is getting steeper as time
progresses. What does this indicate?
A. The object is moving at a constant velocity.
B. The object is not moving.
C. The object is accelerating. [CORRECT]
D. The object is decelerating to a stop.
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: WGU C165 graphing motion principles state that a curving, steepening line
on a position-time graph indicates increasing velocity over time, which is the definition of
positive acceleration. A is a straight, sloped line; B is a flat horizontal line; D is a curve
that flattens out.
Q11: An astronaut has a mass of 80 kg on Earth. If she travels to a planet with half the
gravity of Earth, what are her mass and weight on the new planet?
A. Mass is 40 kg, weight is 392 N.
B. Mass is 80 kg, weight is 392 N. [CORRECT]
C. Mass is 80 kg, weight is 784 N.
D. Mass is 40 kg, weight is 784 N.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WGU C165 distinguishes mass (amount of matter, constant everywhere)
from weight (force of gravity, W=mg); mass remains 80 kg, but weight becomes 80 kg x
(9.8/2 m/s²) = 392 N. A and D incorrectly change mass based on gravity, and C fails to
halve the gravity.
Q12: Which of the following is an example of a vector quantity?
A. A temperature of 25°C
B. A time of 10 seconds
C. A velocity of 15 m/s east [CORRECT]
D. A mass of 5 kilograms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: WGU C165 physics fundamentals define vector quantities as having both
magnitude and direction; velocity includes speed (15 m/s) and direction (east). A, B, and
D are scalar quantities, possessing only magnitude.
Q13: A skydiver jumps out of a plane. After a few seconds, she stops accelerating and
falls at a constant speed. What is this speed called?
A. Terminal velocity [CORRECT]
B. Free fall acceleration
C. Gravitational constant
D. Instantaneous speed
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: WGU C165 kinematics explains terminal velocity as the point where the
downward force of gravity is perfectly balanced by the upward force of air resistance,
resulting in zero net force and constant velocity. B implies continuous acceleration, C is
a universal constant (g), and D is just speed at a specific moment.
