WGU C165 – INTEGRATED PHYSICAL SCIENCES
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Scientific Inquiry & Methodology (Questions 1–15)
1. A student wants to test how temperature affects the rate at which salt
dissolves in water. She changes the water temperature and measures how long
it takes for the salt to dissolve. What is the independent variable?
a) Time for salt to dissolve
b) Temperature of the water
c) Amount of salt used
d) Type of salt used
Explanation: The independent variable is what the experimenter changes on
purpose. Here, the student intentionally changes the water temperature to
observe its effect on dissolution time.
2. In the same salt dissolution experiment, what is the dependent variable?
a) Time for salt to dissolve
b) Temperature of the water
c) Amount of water used
d) Type of container
Explanation: The dependent variable is what is measured as a result of the
change. The student measures how long the salt takes to dissolve based on the
temperature change.
3. Which of the following is an example of a controlled experiment?
a) Observing wolves in their natural habitat
b) Testing fertilizer effectiveness by giving one group of plants fertilizer and
another group no fertilizer under identical conditions
,c) Recording temperatures at different altitudes on a mountain
d) Counting the number of cars passing through an intersection
Explanation: A controlled experiment manipulates one variable (fertilizer) while
keeping all other conditions constant between experimental and control groups.
4. A scientist proposes a testable statement about how gravity affects falling
objects. This statement is called a:
a) Theory
b) Law
c) Hypothesis
d) Conclusion
Explanation: A hypothesis is a testable statement or proposed explanation about
how something in nature works, which can be supported or refuted through
experimentation.
5. Which of the following is a scientific law?
a) The theory of evolution
b) The law of conservation of energy
c) The cell theory
d) The germ theory of disease
Explanation: Scientific laws are concise statements that describe patterns in
nature, such as "energy cannot be created or destroyed," without explaining why
the pattern occurs.
6. A scientific theory differs from a hypothesis because a theory:
a) Is just a guess with no evidence
b) Is supported by a large body of evidence and explains a wide range of
observations
c) Can never be changed or modified
d) Is less reliable than a hypothesis
Explanation: A theory is a well-tested explanation supported by extensive
evidence from multiple lines of research, explaining how and why phenomena
occur, unlike a preliminary hypothesis.
, 7. Which type of scientific study involves observing systems in nature without
any manipulation by the researcher?
a) Controlled experiment
b) Observational study
c) Laboratory study
d) Field experiment
Explanation: Observational studies involve watching and recording natural
phenomena without interfering or changing any variables, useful when
manipulation is impossible or unethical.
8. A geologist studies rock formations by hiking through a canyon and recording
what she sees. This is an example of a:
a) Field study
b) Controlled experiment
c) Laboratory study
d) Computer model
Explanation: A field study is an observational study conducted outside a
laboratory in the natural environment where the phenomena occur.
9. Which statement is falsifiable?
a) "Invisible unicorns live in the forest but cannot be detected."
b) "Adding fertilizer increases plant growth rate."
c) "Ghosts exist but leave no evidence."
d) "Mysterious forces control the weather."
Explanation: A falsifiable statement can be proven false through observation or
experiment. Adding fertilizer and measuring growth can either support or refute
the claim.
10. Multiple scientific teams repeat an experiment and all get the same results.
This process is called:
a) Hypothesis formation
b) Replication
c) Peer review
d) Data analysis
REAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS &
DETAILED RATIONALES2O26 UPDATE | INSTANT
PDF DOWNLOAD
Scientific Inquiry & Methodology (Questions 1–15)
1. A student wants to test how temperature affects the rate at which salt
dissolves in water. She changes the water temperature and measures how long
it takes for the salt to dissolve. What is the independent variable?
a) Time for salt to dissolve
b) Temperature of the water
c) Amount of salt used
d) Type of salt used
Explanation: The independent variable is what the experimenter changes on
purpose. Here, the student intentionally changes the water temperature to
observe its effect on dissolution time.
2. In the same salt dissolution experiment, what is the dependent variable?
a) Time for salt to dissolve
b) Temperature of the water
c) Amount of water used
d) Type of container
Explanation: The dependent variable is what is measured as a result of the
change. The student measures how long the salt takes to dissolve based on the
temperature change.
3. Which of the following is an example of a controlled experiment?
a) Observing wolves in their natural habitat
b) Testing fertilizer effectiveness by giving one group of plants fertilizer and
another group no fertilizer under identical conditions
,c) Recording temperatures at different altitudes on a mountain
d) Counting the number of cars passing through an intersection
Explanation: A controlled experiment manipulates one variable (fertilizer) while
keeping all other conditions constant between experimental and control groups.
4. A scientist proposes a testable statement about how gravity affects falling
objects. This statement is called a:
a) Theory
b) Law
c) Hypothesis
d) Conclusion
Explanation: A hypothesis is a testable statement or proposed explanation about
how something in nature works, which can be supported or refuted through
experimentation.
5. Which of the following is a scientific law?
a) The theory of evolution
b) The law of conservation of energy
c) The cell theory
d) The germ theory of disease
Explanation: Scientific laws are concise statements that describe patterns in
nature, such as "energy cannot be created or destroyed," without explaining why
the pattern occurs.
6. A scientific theory differs from a hypothesis because a theory:
a) Is just a guess with no evidence
b) Is supported by a large body of evidence and explains a wide range of
observations
c) Can never be changed or modified
d) Is less reliable than a hypothesis
Explanation: A theory is a well-tested explanation supported by extensive
evidence from multiple lines of research, explaining how and why phenomena
occur, unlike a preliminary hypothesis.
, 7. Which type of scientific study involves observing systems in nature without
any manipulation by the researcher?
a) Controlled experiment
b) Observational study
c) Laboratory study
d) Field experiment
Explanation: Observational studies involve watching and recording natural
phenomena without interfering or changing any variables, useful when
manipulation is impossible or unethical.
8. A geologist studies rock formations by hiking through a canyon and recording
what she sees. This is an example of a:
a) Field study
b) Controlled experiment
c) Laboratory study
d) Computer model
Explanation: A field study is an observational study conducted outside a
laboratory in the natural environment where the phenomena occur.
9. Which statement is falsifiable?
a) "Invisible unicorns live in the forest but cannot be detected."
b) "Adding fertilizer increases plant growth rate."
c) "Ghosts exist but leave no evidence."
d) "Mysterious forces control the weather."
Explanation: A falsifiable statement can be proven false through observation or
experiment. Adding fertilizer and measuring growth can either support or refute
the claim.
10. Multiple scientific teams repeat an experiment and all get the same results.
This process is called:
a) Hypothesis formation
b) Replication
c) Peer review
d) Data analysis
