1
WGU C165 OA Exam – Integrated
Physical Sciences 2025 Actual Exam with
400 Verified Questions & Expert Answers
| A+ Graded | Latest Update
Physics Questions (1–100)
1. A mathematical model predicts the trajectory of a bullet fired from a gun. Which
discipline of physical science is used to develop this model?
A) Chemistry
B) Earth science
C) Astronomy
D) Physics
Rationale: Physics studies motion, forces, and energy, which are essential for modeling
bullet trajectories using kinematics and dynamics.
2. What is the primary source of energy for Earth's climate system?
A) Geothermal energy
B) Nuclear energy
C) Solar energy
D) Tidal energy
Rationale: Solar energy drives Earth's climate by heating the atmosphere and surface,
powering weather and ocean currents.
3. Which of the following is a unit of force?
A) Joule
B) Watt
C) Newton
D) Volt
Rationale: A Newton is the SI unit of force, defined as the force required to accelerate a
1 kg mass by 1 m/s².
4. A car is moving forward, and its brakes are applied. What is true about its motion?
A) Velocity is forward, acceleration is forward
B) Velocity is forward, acceleration is backward
C) Velocity is backward, acceleration is forward
D) Velocity is backward, acceleration is backward
Rationale: Braking causes deceleration (backward acceleration), while the car continues
moving forward (positive velocity).
5. Which type of energy is stored in a stretched rubber band?
A) Kinetic energy
B) Elastic potential energy
C) Thermal energy
, 2
D) Chemical energy
Rationale: A stretched rubber band stores elastic potential energy due to its deformation.
6. What is the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration according to
Newton’s second law?
A) F = m/a
B) F = ma
C) F = m + a
D) F = m – a
Rationale: Newton’s second law states that force (F) equals mass (m) times acceleration
(a).
7. Which wave requires a medium to travel?
A) Electromagnetic wave
B) Mechanical wave
C) Light wave
D) Radio wave
Rationale: Mechanical waves, like sound, require a medium (e.g., air) to propagate,
unlike electromagnetic waves.
8. Why can’t sound waves travel through a vacuum?
A) They are too weak
B) They are mechanical waves
C) They are electromagnetic waves
D) They lack energy
Rationale: Sound waves are mechanical and need a medium to vibrate, which a vacuum
lacks.
9. What is the acceleration due to gravity on Earth’s surface?
A) 1.6 m/s²
B) 9.8 m/s²
C) 3.2 m/s²
D) 12.5 m/s²
Rationale: Earth’s gravitational acceleration is approximately 9.8 m/s².
10. Which type of friction opposes the start of motion?
A) Kinetic friction
B) Static friction
C) Rolling friction
D) Fluid friction
Rationale: Static friction prevents an object from starting to move until a sufficient force
is applied.
11. What happens to an object’s kinetic energy if its speed doubles?
A) It doubles
B) It quadruples
C) It halves
D) It remains the same
Rationale: Kinetic energy is proportional to the square of speed (KE = ½mv²), so
doubling speed quadruples KE.
12. Which law states that an object at rest stays at rest unless acted upon by a net force?
A) Newton’s second law
, 3
B) Newton’s first law
C) Newton’s third law
D) Law of gravitation
Rationale: Newton’s first law, or the law of inertia, describes the tendency of objects to
maintain their state of motion.
13. What is the primary source of energy in a flashlight?
A) Thermal energy
B) Nuclear energy
C) Chemical energy
D) Mechanical energy
Rationale: A flashlight’s battery stores chemical energy, which is converted to electrical
and light energy.
14. Which type of energy transfer occurs when a pot of water is heated on a stove?
A) Radiation
B) Conduction
C) Convection
D) Evaporation
Rationale: Conduction transfers heat from the stove to the pot through direct contact.
15. What is the SI unit of power?
A) Joule
B) Newton
C) Watt
D) Volt
Rationale: Power is measured in watts, where 1 watt equals 1 joule per second.
16. Which type of collision conserves both momentum and kinetic energy?
A) Inelastic collision
B) Elastic collision
C) Perfectly inelastic collision
D) Explosive collision
Rationale: Elastic collisions conserve both momentum and kinetic energy, unlike
inelastic collisions.
17. What is the primary force responsible for keeping planets in orbit around the Sun?
A) Electromagnetic force
B) Gravitational force
C) Strong nuclear force
D) Weak nuclear force
Rationale: Gravity provides the centripetal force needed for planetary orbits.
18. Which property of a wave determines its loudness?
A) Frequency
B) Amplitude
C) Wavelength
D) Speed
Rationale: Amplitude measures the wave’s intensity, which corresponds to loudness in
sound waves.
19. What is the formula for calculating work?
A) W = m/a
, 4
B) W = Fd
C) W = mv
D) W = P/t
Rationale: Work (W) is the product of force (F) and displacement (d) in the direction of
the force.
20. Which type of energy is associated with an object’s position in a gravitational field?
A) Gravitational potential energy
B) Kinetic energy
C) Thermal energy
D) Chemical energy
Rationale: Gravitational potential energy depends on an object’s height and mass in a
gravitational field.
21. What is the speed of light in a vacuum?
A) 3 x 10⁶ m/s
B) 3 x 10⁸ m/s
C) 3 x 10¹⁰ m/s
D) 3 x 10⁴ m/s
Rationale: The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 3 x 10⁸ m/s.
22. Which type of wave is used in microwave ovens?
A) Sound wave
B) Infrared wave
C) Microwave
D) Ultraviolet wave
Rationale: Microwaves, a type of electromagnetic wave, are used to heat food in
microwave ovens.
23. What is the primary source of energy for a wind turbine?
A) Solar energy
B) Kinetic energy
C) Chemical energy
D) Nuclear energy
Rationale: Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of moving air into electrical energy.
24. Which law explains why a rocket moves upward when expelling gas downward?
A) Newton’s first law
B) Newton’s second law
C) Newton’s third law
D) Law of gravitation
Rationale: Newton’s third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite
reaction.
25. What is the unit of electric charge?
A) Ampere
B) Coulomb
C) Volt
D) Ohm
Rationale: The coulomb is the SI unit of electric charge.
26. Which type of energy is transferred by electromagnetic waves?
A) Mechanical energy
WGU C165 OA Exam – Integrated
Physical Sciences 2025 Actual Exam with
400 Verified Questions & Expert Answers
| A+ Graded | Latest Update
Physics Questions (1–100)
1. A mathematical model predicts the trajectory of a bullet fired from a gun. Which
discipline of physical science is used to develop this model?
A) Chemistry
B) Earth science
C) Astronomy
D) Physics
Rationale: Physics studies motion, forces, and energy, which are essential for modeling
bullet trajectories using kinematics and dynamics.
2. What is the primary source of energy for Earth's climate system?
A) Geothermal energy
B) Nuclear energy
C) Solar energy
D) Tidal energy
Rationale: Solar energy drives Earth's climate by heating the atmosphere and surface,
powering weather and ocean currents.
3. Which of the following is a unit of force?
A) Joule
B) Watt
C) Newton
D) Volt
Rationale: A Newton is the SI unit of force, defined as the force required to accelerate a
1 kg mass by 1 m/s².
4. A car is moving forward, and its brakes are applied. What is true about its motion?
A) Velocity is forward, acceleration is forward
B) Velocity is forward, acceleration is backward
C) Velocity is backward, acceleration is forward
D) Velocity is backward, acceleration is backward
Rationale: Braking causes deceleration (backward acceleration), while the car continues
moving forward (positive velocity).
5. Which type of energy is stored in a stretched rubber band?
A) Kinetic energy
B) Elastic potential energy
C) Thermal energy
, 2
D) Chemical energy
Rationale: A stretched rubber band stores elastic potential energy due to its deformation.
6. What is the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration according to
Newton’s second law?
A) F = m/a
B) F = ma
C) F = m + a
D) F = m – a
Rationale: Newton’s second law states that force (F) equals mass (m) times acceleration
(a).
7. Which wave requires a medium to travel?
A) Electromagnetic wave
B) Mechanical wave
C) Light wave
D) Radio wave
Rationale: Mechanical waves, like sound, require a medium (e.g., air) to propagate,
unlike electromagnetic waves.
8. Why can’t sound waves travel through a vacuum?
A) They are too weak
B) They are mechanical waves
C) They are electromagnetic waves
D) They lack energy
Rationale: Sound waves are mechanical and need a medium to vibrate, which a vacuum
lacks.
9. What is the acceleration due to gravity on Earth’s surface?
A) 1.6 m/s²
B) 9.8 m/s²
C) 3.2 m/s²
D) 12.5 m/s²
Rationale: Earth’s gravitational acceleration is approximately 9.8 m/s².
10. Which type of friction opposes the start of motion?
A) Kinetic friction
B) Static friction
C) Rolling friction
D) Fluid friction
Rationale: Static friction prevents an object from starting to move until a sufficient force
is applied.
11. What happens to an object’s kinetic energy if its speed doubles?
A) It doubles
B) It quadruples
C) It halves
D) It remains the same
Rationale: Kinetic energy is proportional to the square of speed (KE = ½mv²), so
doubling speed quadruples KE.
12. Which law states that an object at rest stays at rest unless acted upon by a net force?
A) Newton’s second law
, 3
B) Newton’s first law
C) Newton’s third law
D) Law of gravitation
Rationale: Newton’s first law, or the law of inertia, describes the tendency of objects to
maintain their state of motion.
13. What is the primary source of energy in a flashlight?
A) Thermal energy
B) Nuclear energy
C) Chemical energy
D) Mechanical energy
Rationale: A flashlight’s battery stores chemical energy, which is converted to electrical
and light energy.
14. Which type of energy transfer occurs when a pot of water is heated on a stove?
A) Radiation
B) Conduction
C) Convection
D) Evaporation
Rationale: Conduction transfers heat from the stove to the pot through direct contact.
15. What is the SI unit of power?
A) Joule
B) Newton
C) Watt
D) Volt
Rationale: Power is measured in watts, where 1 watt equals 1 joule per second.
16. Which type of collision conserves both momentum and kinetic energy?
A) Inelastic collision
B) Elastic collision
C) Perfectly inelastic collision
D) Explosive collision
Rationale: Elastic collisions conserve both momentum and kinetic energy, unlike
inelastic collisions.
17. What is the primary force responsible for keeping planets in orbit around the Sun?
A) Electromagnetic force
B) Gravitational force
C) Strong nuclear force
D) Weak nuclear force
Rationale: Gravity provides the centripetal force needed for planetary orbits.
18. Which property of a wave determines its loudness?
A) Frequency
B) Amplitude
C) Wavelength
D) Speed
Rationale: Amplitude measures the wave’s intensity, which corresponds to loudness in
sound waves.
19. What is the formula for calculating work?
A) W = m/a
, 4
B) W = Fd
C) W = mv
D) W = P/t
Rationale: Work (W) is the product of force (F) and displacement (d) in the direction of
the force.
20. Which type of energy is associated with an object’s position in a gravitational field?
A) Gravitational potential energy
B) Kinetic energy
C) Thermal energy
D) Chemical energy
Rationale: Gravitational potential energy depends on an object’s height and mass in a
gravitational field.
21. What is the speed of light in a vacuum?
A) 3 x 10⁶ m/s
B) 3 x 10⁸ m/s
C) 3 x 10¹⁰ m/s
D) 3 x 10⁴ m/s
Rationale: The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 3 x 10⁸ m/s.
22. Which type of wave is used in microwave ovens?
A) Sound wave
B) Infrared wave
C) Microwave
D) Ultraviolet wave
Rationale: Microwaves, a type of electromagnetic wave, are used to heat food in
microwave ovens.
23. What is the primary source of energy for a wind turbine?
A) Solar energy
B) Kinetic energy
C) Chemical energy
D) Nuclear energy
Rationale: Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of moving air into electrical energy.
24. Which law explains why a rocket moves upward when expelling gas downward?
A) Newton’s first law
B) Newton’s second law
C) Newton’s third law
D) Law of gravitation
Rationale: Newton’s third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite
reaction.
25. What is the unit of electric charge?
A) Ampere
B) Coulomb
C) Volt
D) Ohm
Rationale: The coulomb is the SI unit of electric charge.
26. Which type of energy is transferred by electromagnetic waves?
A) Mechanical energy
