WGU C165 Study Guide: Exploring Fields of
Physical Science and Motion Laws-Graded A
1. Science Overview
● Science explains how the universe functions, from space to subatomic particles.
● Two major branches:
○ Physical Sciences → focus on the non-living world.
○ Life Sciences → focus on living organisms.
Key Essential Question:
What fields of science were involved in getting astronauts to the moon?
2. Physical vs. Life Sciences
● Similarities: Both explore the natural world and ask questions about structures,
processes, and interactions.
● Differences:
○ Physical Science = non-living (chemistry, physics, earth science, astronomy).
○ Life Science = living (plants, animals, bacteria, humans).
● Connection: Living things depend on non-living resources (minerals, water, energy).
3. Fields of Physical Science
Chemistry
, ● Focus: Atoms, molecules, chemical reactions, and new substances.
● Guiding Question: How do atoms combine to form new substances?
● Applications: Medicine, agriculture, industry, fuel, food preservation.
● Moon Mission Example: Nutrition for astronauts, rocket fuel, analysis of moon rocks.
Physics
● Focus: Forces, motion, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, nuclear processes.
● Guiding Question: What fundamental forces exist?
● Applications: Communications, medicine, engineering, amusement rides.
● Moon Mission Example: Calculating trajectories, forces, acceleration, velocity, and
gravity for safe travel.
Earth Science
● Focus: Earth’s structure, atmosphere, weather, geology, water cycle, natural hazards.
● Guiding Question: What processes occur inside the Earth?
● Applications: Weather forecasting, natural disaster prediction, construction planning.
● Moon Mission Example: Studying moon geology, rock samples, craters, and searching
for signs of water.
Astronomy
● Focus: Stars, planets, galaxies, orbits, and the universe.
● Guiding Question: How did the universe form?
, ● Applications: Space exploration, understanding celestial interactions.
● Moon Mission Example: Studying the moon’s orbit, rotation, and position in the solar
system.
4. How the Fields Support One Another
● Chemistry + Geology = Understanding Earth’s materials.
● Physics + Astronomy = Calculating motion and orbits in space.
● Earth Science + Chemistry = Studying rock compositions and processes.
● All four fields combined enabled the Apollo missions.
5. Reflection Questions
● How are physical and life sciences similar and different?
● How has each field (chemistry, physics, earth science, astronomy) impacted your daily
life?
● How do these sciences support one another?
● In the moon missions:
○ Chemistry → fuel, food, rock analysis.
○ Physics → trajectories, forces, gravity.
○ Earth Science → geology of the moon, craters, landforms.
○ Astronomy → orbits, rotations, space navigation.
, Study Guide: Types of Scientific
Investigations
Essential Question
How do scientists learn more about the world around us?
1. Scientific Investigations Overview
● Purpose: Help us understand nature through systematic methods.
● Main types:
1. Controlled experiments
2. Observations
3. Field studies
4. Modeling
● Together, these approaches expand scientific knowledge and lead to innovations that
improve life.
2. Controlled Experiments
● Definition: Investigation where only one variable is changed while others remain
constant.
● Setting: Usually in a laboratory (chemistry, physics).
● Variables:
○ Independent Variable → what the scientist changes (manipulated).
Physical Science and Motion Laws-Graded A
1. Science Overview
● Science explains how the universe functions, from space to subatomic particles.
● Two major branches:
○ Physical Sciences → focus on the non-living world.
○ Life Sciences → focus on living organisms.
Key Essential Question:
What fields of science were involved in getting astronauts to the moon?
2. Physical vs. Life Sciences
● Similarities: Both explore the natural world and ask questions about structures,
processes, and interactions.
● Differences:
○ Physical Science = non-living (chemistry, physics, earth science, astronomy).
○ Life Science = living (plants, animals, bacteria, humans).
● Connection: Living things depend on non-living resources (minerals, water, energy).
3. Fields of Physical Science
Chemistry
, ● Focus: Atoms, molecules, chemical reactions, and new substances.
● Guiding Question: How do atoms combine to form new substances?
● Applications: Medicine, agriculture, industry, fuel, food preservation.
● Moon Mission Example: Nutrition for astronauts, rocket fuel, analysis of moon rocks.
Physics
● Focus: Forces, motion, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, nuclear processes.
● Guiding Question: What fundamental forces exist?
● Applications: Communications, medicine, engineering, amusement rides.
● Moon Mission Example: Calculating trajectories, forces, acceleration, velocity, and
gravity for safe travel.
Earth Science
● Focus: Earth’s structure, atmosphere, weather, geology, water cycle, natural hazards.
● Guiding Question: What processes occur inside the Earth?
● Applications: Weather forecasting, natural disaster prediction, construction planning.
● Moon Mission Example: Studying moon geology, rock samples, craters, and searching
for signs of water.
Astronomy
● Focus: Stars, planets, galaxies, orbits, and the universe.
● Guiding Question: How did the universe form?
, ● Applications: Space exploration, understanding celestial interactions.
● Moon Mission Example: Studying the moon’s orbit, rotation, and position in the solar
system.
4. How the Fields Support One Another
● Chemistry + Geology = Understanding Earth’s materials.
● Physics + Astronomy = Calculating motion and orbits in space.
● Earth Science + Chemistry = Studying rock compositions and processes.
● All four fields combined enabled the Apollo missions.
5. Reflection Questions
● How are physical and life sciences similar and different?
● How has each field (chemistry, physics, earth science, astronomy) impacted your daily
life?
● How do these sciences support one another?
● In the moon missions:
○ Chemistry → fuel, food, rock analysis.
○ Physics → trajectories, forces, gravity.
○ Earth Science → geology of the moon, craters, landforms.
○ Astronomy → orbits, rotations, space navigation.
, Study Guide: Types of Scientific
Investigations
Essential Question
How do scientists learn more about the world around us?
1. Scientific Investigations Overview
● Purpose: Help us understand nature through systematic methods.
● Main types:
1. Controlled experiments
2. Observations
3. Field studies
4. Modeling
● Together, these approaches expand scientific knowledge and lead to innovations that
improve life.
2. Controlled Experiments
● Definition: Investigation where only one variable is changed while others remain
constant.
● Setting: Usually in a laboratory (chemistry, physics).
● Variables:
○ Independent Variable → what the scientist changes (manipulated).
