WGU C180 COMPREHENSIVE SCIENCE
STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of a controlled experiment?
A. To isolate the effect of a single variable by keeping all other variables constant.
B. To prove that a specific hypothesis is 100% true without any doubt.
C. To observe how natural phenomena occur without human interference.
D. To ensure that the results of the experiment match the researcher’s expectations.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A controlled experiment isolates the independent variable’s
effect by holding all other potential variables (controlled variables) constant.
2. In a scientific study, what is the term for a tentative, testable explanation for a natural
phenomenon?
A. Scientific Law
B. Scientific Theory
C. Observation
,D. Hypothesis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A hypothesis is an educated guess or a testable prediction,
whereas a theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world.
3. Which subatomic particle determines the identity of an element?
A. Proton
B. Neutron
C. Electron
D. Photon
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The number of protons (atomic number) uniquely identifies an
element; changing the number of protons changes the element itself.
4. What type of chemical bond involves the complete transfer of electrons from one atom to
another?
A. Covalent bond
B. Hydrogen bond
C. Ionic bond
D. Metallic bond
, Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Ionic bonds occur when one atom loses an electron to another,
resulting in oppositely charged ions that attract each other.
5. Which law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only
transformed?
A. First Law
B. Second Law
C. Third Law
D. Zeroth Law
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The First Law of Thermodynamics, also known as the Law of
Conservation of Energy, states that the total energy of an isolated system is constant.
6. In the context of the pH scale, a solution with a pH of 3 is considered:
A. Highly basic
B. Neutral
C. Highly acidic
D. Weakly acidic
Answer: C
STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of a controlled experiment?
A. To isolate the effect of a single variable by keeping all other variables constant.
B. To prove that a specific hypothesis is 100% true without any doubt.
C. To observe how natural phenomena occur without human interference.
D. To ensure that the results of the experiment match the researcher’s expectations.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A controlled experiment isolates the independent variable’s
effect by holding all other potential variables (controlled variables) constant.
2. In a scientific study, what is the term for a tentative, testable explanation for a natural
phenomenon?
A. Scientific Law
B. Scientific Theory
C. Observation
,D. Hypothesis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A hypothesis is an educated guess or a testable prediction,
whereas a theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world.
3. Which subatomic particle determines the identity of an element?
A. Proton
B. Neutron
C. Electron
D. Photon
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The number of protons (atomic number) uniquely identifies an
element; changing the number of protons changes the element itself.
4. What type of chemical bond involves the complete transfer of electrons from one atom to
another?
A. Covalent bond
B. Hydrogen bond
C. Ionic bond
D. Metallic bond
, Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Ionic bonds occur when one atom loses an electron to another,
resulting in oppositely charged ions that attract each other.
5. Which law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only
transformed?
A. First Law
B. Second Law
C. Third Law
D. Zeroth Law
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The First Law of Thermodynamics, also known as the Law of
Conservation of Energy, states that the total energy of an isolated system is constant.
6. In the context of the pH scale, a solution with a pH of 3 is considered:
A. Highly basic
B. Neutral
C. Highly acidic
D. Weakly acidic
Answer: C
