WGU C165 OA EXAM INTEGRATED PHYSICAL
SCIENCES OA 2023-2024 ACTUAL EXAM 400 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS|ALREADY GRADED A+
Overview
Created for WGU students and independent learners, this comprehensive
study guide covers:
Scientific method and measurement
Energy, motion, and forces
Matter, atomic structure, and chemical reactions
Earth systems, geology, and weather
Astronomy and the solar system
Environmental science and sustainability
Each question includes detailed rationales to reinforce understanding
and help identify key focus areas for review.
Key Features
✅ 400 Practice Questions with Explanations
✅ Aligned with 2025–2026 WGU C165 Competencies
✅ Comprehensive Coverage of Physical Science Concepts
✅ Realistic Exam-Style Format for Effective Practice
✅ A+ Quality Content Reviewed by Science Educators
Your Complete WGU C165 OA Study Resource
With 400 expertly designed practice questions and in-depth
explanations, the WGU C165 Integrated Physical Sciences Study Guide
(2025–2026) is your most accurate, current, and effective tool for
,mastering physical science concepts — and succeeding on your WGU
exam with confidence.
A mathematical model is used to predict the trajectory of a bullet fired from a gun. Which discipline of
physical science is used to develop this model? - ANSWER-Physics
An environmental scientist monitors pollutants in a lake. Which two disciplines of physical science does
this scientist use? Choose 2 answers - ANSWER-Chemistry
Earth Science
Which study involves both Earth science and physics? - ANSWER-Calculating how much energy is
associated with a hurricane
Which question could be answered with a controlled experiment? - ANSWER-Does ice melt faster in an
empty glass or in a glass full of water?
Which topic would be appropriate for a controlled experiment? - ANSWER-Determining how fast
different chemical pollutants dissolve in water
Sir Isaac Newton discovered that the force of gravity between two masses increases if the masses
increase, and decreases if the distance between the masses increases. No experiments have ever
contradicted this relationship. Which type of scientific statement is this? - ANSWER-Law
The well-accepted scientific explanation for many characteristics of Earth's crust states that the crust is
broken into several large plates. These plates move slowly over the mantle below because of convection
and other processes. Earthquakes and volcanoes are most common at places where the plates interact.
Evidence from physics, chemistry, and geology supports this explanation. Which type of scientific idea is
this explanation an example of? - ANSWER-Theory
Which question requires a controlled experiment to answer? - ANSWER-Which type of rock contains the
most calcium?
,A student proposes that sugar will dissolve faster in rubbing alcohol than in water. The student reasons
that sugar and rubbing alcohol both contain carbon so they will mix more easily. Which type of scientific
idea is the student's proposal an example of? - ANSWER-Hypothesis
Why was the shrinking Earth idea replaced by the theory of plate tectonics? - ANSWER-Plate tectonics
explained observations about Earth that the shrinking Earth idea could not explain.
Astronomers have long accepted that plate tectonics exists nowhere in our solar system except on Earth.
In 2011, a scientist analyzed 100 NASA-space-mission photographs of Valles Marineris on Mars, the
longest known series of canyons in the solar system. The scientist found that Valles Marineris showed
features found only in locations on Earth where major tectonic plates divide. What would be the
appropriate response of scientists to this information? - ANSWER-Carry out further research to gain
more understanding of possible plate tectonics on Mars
According to the theory of plate tectonics, volcanoes are especially likely to form along plate boundaries
because of rising magma. New satellite data mapping the ocean floor reveals thousands of seamounts,
which are small volcanoes. Some of the seamounts are in lines that could correspond to past or present
plate boundaries, but many are not aligned in this way. How should scientists appropriately respond to
the idea that some new mechanism of forming the volcanoes is involved? - ANSWER-Carry out more
research to understand better how the seamounts form
For many decades, scientists thought they understood how ozone breaks down in the stratosphere,
creating ozone holes. However, new data show significantly lower reaction rates than can be explained
by the long-held model. What is the appropriate scientific approach for dealing with this contradiction? -
ANSWER-Conduct additional experiments to confirm the new data
For almost 1500 years most scientists in Europe accepted Ptolemy's geocentric planetary model that
suggested the sun revolved around Earth. By the eighteenth century, most scientists supported a
heliocentric model that suggests that Earth revolves around the sun. What is an appropriate scientific
basis for this change in view? - ANSWER-The existing theory was changed to account for new data
A woman does pushups by lowering her body to the floor using her arms and then pressing against the
floor with her hands to push herself back up, as shown in the image below. Which force causes her to
rise? - ANSWER-The upward force that the ground exerts on the woman
, Two boxes sitting on the floor look identical, but one has more mass than the other. What happens
when the same net force, sufficient to overcome static friction, is applied to each box? - ANSWER-The
box with less mass accelerates more.
Two identical train engines are parked on parallel tracks. One engine has ten cars attached, and the
other has no cars attached. Each engine exerts the same net force, which allows the train to overcome
static friction. Which engine will be able to accelerate more? - ANSWER-The engine not pulling any cars
will accelerate more.
A woman applies an upward force to a basket filled with groceries. Assume she is standing still.
What will happen to the basket if the force she applies is greater than the force of gravity? - ANSWERThe
basket will move up.
A heavy truck and a light car travel at the same velocity side-by-side on the highway. Both drivers apply
the same braking force at the same moment.
What will happen to the two vehicles? - ANSWER-The car will slow down more quickly than the truck.
Which force causes graphite from the tip of a pencil to transfer to the paper? - ANSWER-Friction
Which force keeps Jupiter in orbit around the Sun? - ANSWER-Gravity
Which force causes a jet airplane to stop on a runway? - ANSWER-Friction
Which force causes meteors to burn up when they enter Earth's atmosphere? - ANSWER-Friction
Which kind of electromagnetic radiation carries information to and from a cell phone when it is used for
a phone call? - ANSWER-Microwaves
A cashier who has been handed a hundred-dollar bill may check its authenticity by holding it under a
special lamp that emits electromagnetic radiation mostly at wavelengths slightly shorter than visible
light. The electromagnetic radiation makes a pattern of previously invisible markings on the bill glow
brightly, or fluoresce. Which kind of electromagnetic radiation does the lamp emit to produce this
effect? - ANSWER-Ultraviolet Radiation
SCIENCES OA 2023-2024 ACTUAL EXAM 400 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS|ALREADY GRADED A+
Overview
Created for WGU students and independent learners, this comprehensive
study guide covers:
Scientific method and measurement
Energy, motion, and forces
Matter, atomic structure, and chemical reactions
Earth systems, geology, and weather
Astronomy and the solar system
Environmental science and sustainability
Each question includes detailed rationales to reinforce understanding
and help identify key focus areas for review.
Key Features
✅ 400 Practice Questions with Explanations
✅ Aligned with 2025–2026 WGU C165 Competencies
✅ Comprehensive Coverage of Physical Science Concepts
✅ Realistic Exam-Style Format for Effective Practice
✅ A+ Quality Content Reviewed by Science Educators
Your Complete WGU C165 OA Study Resource
With 400 expertly designed practice questions and in-depth
explanations, the WGU C165 Integrated Physical Sciences Study Guide
(2025–2026) is your most accurate, current, and effective tool for
,mastering physical science concepts — and succeeding on your WGU
exam with confidence.
A mathematical model is used to predict the trajectory of a bullet fired from a gun. Which discipline of
physical science is used to develop this model? - ANSWER-Physics
An environmental scientist monitors pollutants in a lake. Which two disciplines of physical science does
this scientist use? Choose 2 answers - ANSWER-Chemistry
Earth Science
Which study involves both Earth science and physics? - ANSWER-Calculating how much energy is
associated with a hurricane
Which question could be answered with a controlled experiment? - ANSWER-Does ice melt faster in an
empty glass or in a glass full of water?
Which topic would be appropriate for a controlled experiment? - ANSWER-Determining how fast
different chemical pollutants dissolve in water
Sir Isaac Newton discovered that the force of gravity between two masses increases if the masses
increase, and decreases if the distance between the masses increases. No experiments have ever
contradicted this relationship. Which type of scientific statement is this? - ANSWER-Law
The well-accepted scientific explanation for many characteristics of Earth's crust states that the crust is
broken into several large plates. These plates move slowly over the mantle below because of convection
and other processes. Earthquakes and volcanoes are most common at places where the plates interact.
Evidence from physics, chemistry, and geology supports this explanation. Which type of scientific idea is
this explanation an example of? - ANSWER-Theory
Which question requires a controlled experiment to answer? - ANSWER-Which type of rock contains the
most calcium?
,A student proposes that sugar will dissolve faster in rubbing alcohol than in water. The student reasons
that sugar and rubbing alcohol both contain carbon so they will mix more easily. Which type of scientific
idea is the student's proposal an example of? - ANSWER-Hypothesis
Why was the shrinking Earth idea replaced by the theory of plate tectonics? - ANSWER-Plate tectonics
explained observations about Earth that the shrinking Earth idea could not explain.
Astronomers have long accepted that plate tectonics exists nowhere in our solar system except on Earth.
In 2011, a scientist analyzed 100 NASA-space-mission photographs of Valles Marineris on Mars, the
longest known series of canyons in the solar system. The scientist found that Valles Marineris showed
features found only in locations on Earth where major tectonic plates divide. What would be the
appropriate response of scientists to this information? - ANSWER-Carry out further research to gain
more understanding of possible plate tectonics on Mars
According to the theory of plate tectonics, volcanoes are especially likely to form along plate boundaries
because of rising magma. New satellite data mapping the ocean floor reveals thousands of seamounts,
which are small volcanoes. Some of the seamounts are in lines that could correspond to past or present
plate boundaries, but many are not aligned in this way. How should scientists appropriately respond to
the idea that some new mechanism of forming the volcanoes is involved? - ANSWER-Carry out more
research to understand better how the seamounts form
For many decades, scientists thought they understood how ozone breaks down in the stratosphere,
creating ozone holes. However, new data show significantly lower reaction rates than can be explained
by the long-held model. What is the appropriate scientific approach for dealing with this contradiction? -
ANSWER-Conduct additional experiments to confirm the new data
For almost 1500 years most scientists in Europe accepted Ptolemy's geocentric planetary model that
suggested the sun revolved around Earth. By the eighteenth century, most scientists supported a
heliocentric model that suggests that Earth revolves around the sun. What is an appropriate scientific
basis for this change in view? - ANSWER-The existing theory was changed to account for new data
A woman does pushups by lowering her body to the floor using her arms and then pressing against the
floor with her hands to push herself back up, as shown in the image below. Which force causes her to
rise? - ANSWER-The upward force that the ground exerts on the woman
, Two boxes sitting on the floor look identical, but one has more mass than the other. What happens
when the same net force, sufficient to overcome static friction, is applied to each box? - ANSWER-The
box with less mass accelerates more.
Two identical train engines are parked on parallel tracks. One engine has ten cars attached, and the
other has no cars attached. Each engine exerts the same net force, which allows the train to overcome
static friction. Which engine will be able to accelerate more? - ANSWER-The engine not pulling any cars
will accelerate more.
A woman applies an upward force to a basket filled with groceries. Assume she is standing still.
What will happen to the basket if the force she applies is greater than the force of gravity? - ANSWERThe
basket will move up.
A heavy truck and a light car travel at the same velocity side-by-side on the highway. Both drivers apply
the same braking force at the same moment.
What will happen to the two vehicles? - ANSWER-The car will slow down more quickly than the truck.
Which force causes graphite from the tip of a pencil to transfer to the paper? - ANSWER-Friction
Which force keeps Jupiter in orbit around the Sun? - ANSWER-Gravity
Which force causes a jet airplane to stop on a runway? - ANSWER-Friction
Which force causes meteors to burn up when they enter Earth's atmosphere? - ANSWER-Friction
Which kind of electromagnetic radiation carries information to and from a cell phone when it is used for
a phone call? - ANSWER-Microwaves
A cashier who has been handed a hundred-dollar bill may check its authenticity by holding it under a
special lamp that emits electromagnetic radiation mostly at wavelengths slightly shorter than visible
light. The electromagnetic radiation makes a pattern of previously invisible markings on the bill glow
brightly, or fluoresce. Which kind of electromagnetic radiation does the lamp emit to produce this
effect? - ANSWER-Ultraviolet Radiation
