age 1 of 57
WGU C165 Integrated Physical Sciences OA Exam
Tornado: .......Answer.........A rotating column of air that typically
forms when convergent winds cause warm, moist air to rise; most
violent storms on Earth.
Hurricane: .......Answer.........A huge and powerful storm with
rotating winds of speed greater than 119 km (74 mi/hr.); the
ocean water must be at least 72*C (80*F) for a hurricane to
form-usually form in tropical regions; the Coriolis Effect causes
the hurricane to rotate.
Greenhouse Gases: .......Answer.........Atmospheric gases that trap
energy that would otherwise escape into space; some are Earth's
natural components, others are pollutants; includes water vapor,
carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and
fluorocarbons.
,age 2 of 57
Greenhouse Effect: .......Answer.........Some sunlight that strikes
Earth is reflected and some is absorbed by the ground and
clouds, and is re-emitted as infrared radiation; helps keep
Earth's surface warm for life to exist.
Climate Change: .......Answer.........A natural process that has
occurred many times in Earth's history, resulting in temperatures
that are sometimes warmer/colder than they today.
Global Warming: .......Answer.........A process in which human
activities cause an increase in greenhouse gases, which lead to
an increase in global temperature.
Carbon Cycle: .......Answer.........The cycle or movement of carbon
through reservoirs-oceans, land, and atmosphere; carbon in the
ocean and atmosphere exists primarily carbon dioxide, while
,age 3 of 57
carbon in the soil and in living organisms exists primarily as
organic carbon.
Chemistry: .......Answer.........The study of atoms and molecules,
their structures, and their interactions to form various substances.
Physics: .......Answer.........The study of forces, energy and motion.
Earth Science: .......Answer.........This field focuses on Earth's
structure and composition, as well as the processes that change
Earth, such as volcanic and seismic activity.
Physical Science: .......Answer.........The scientific study of nonliving
matter. Ex: chemistry, physics, and Earth science.
Astronomy: .......Answer.........The study of the moon, stars, and
other objects in space.
, age 4 of 57
Controlled Experiment: .......Answer.........An experiment in which
only one variable is manipulated at a time..
Independent Variable: .......Answer.........The variable that is
manipulated in an experiment.
Dependent Variable: .......Answer.........The outcome factor; the
variable that may change in response to manipulations of the
independent variable.
Control Variable: .......Answer.........A variable that is kept
constant during a controlled experiment.
Observational Study: .......Answer.........The systems are observed
as they appear in nature and researchers do not attempt to
change them.
WGU C165 Integrated Physical Sciences OA Exam
Tornado: .......Answer.........A rotating column of air that typically
forms when convergent winds cause warm, moist air to rise; most
violent storms on Earth.
Hurricane: .......Answer.........A huge and powerful storm with
rotating winds of speed greater than 119 km (74 mi/hr.); the
ocean water must be at least 72*C (80*F) for a hurricane to
form-usually form in tropical regions; the Coriolis Effect causes
the hurricane to rotate.
Greenhouse Gases: .......Answer.........Atmospheric gases that trap
energy that would otherwise escape into space; some are Earth's
natural components, others are pollutants; includes water vapor,
carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and
fluorocarbons.
,age 2 of 57
Greenhouse Effect: .......Answer.........Some sunlight that strikes
Earth is reflected and some is absorbed by the ground and
clouds, and is re-emitted as infrared radiation; helps keep
Earth's surface warm for life to exist.
Climate Change: .......Answer.........A natural process that has
occurred many times in Earth's history, resulting in temperatures
that are sometimes warmer/colder than they today.
Global Warming: .......Answer.........A process in which human
activities cause an increase in greenhouse gases, which lead to
an increase in global temperature.
Carbon Cycle: .......Answer.........The cycle or movement of carbon
through reservoirs-oceans, land, and atmosphere; carbon in the
ocean and atmosphere exists primarily carbon dioxide, while
,age 3 of 57
carbon in the soil and in living organisms exists primarily as
organic carbon.
Chemistry: .......Answer.........The study of atoms and molecules,
their structures, and their interactions to form various substances.
Physics: .......Answer.........The study of forces, energy and motion.
Earth Science: .......Answer.........This field focuses on Earth's
structure and composition, as well as the processes that change
Earth, such as volcanic and seismic activity.
Physical Science: .......Answer.........The scientific study of nonliving
matter. Ex: chemistry, physics, and Earth science.
Astronomy: .......Answer.........The study of the moon, stars, and
other objects in space.
, age 4 of 57
Controlled Experiment: .......Answer.........An experiment in which
only one variable is manipulated at a time..
Independent Variable: .......Answer.........The variable that is
manipulated in an experiment.
Dependent Variable: .......Answer.........The outcome factor; the
variable that may change in response to manipulations of the
independent variable.
Control Variable: .......Answer.........A variable that is kept
constant during a controlled experiment.
Observational Study: .......Answer.........The systems are observed
as they appear in nature and researchers do not attempt to
change them.
