WGU C165 INTEGRATED PHYSICAL SCIENCE EXAM
QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS AND
RATIONALE
1 Which state of matter has both definite shape and definite volume
A Gas
B Liquid
C Solid
D Plasma
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Solids have particles tightly packed in fixed positions, giving
them a definite shape and volume. Gases and plasmas fill their
container, and liquids take the shape of their container.
2 A ball is thrown straight up into the air. At the very top of its path, its
velocity is zero. Its acceleration at that instant is
A Zero
B 9.8 m/s² upward
C 9.8 m/s² downward
D Dependent on the ball’s mass
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gravity constantly accelerates objects downward at 9.8 m/s²
near Earth’s surface. Even at the top, acceleration due to gravity
remains unchanged.
,3 Which of the following is an example of a chemical change
A Ice melting into water
B Sugar dissolving in coffee
C Iron rusting
Tearing a piece of paper
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rusting forms a new substance (iron oxide) through a
chemical reaction. Melting, dissolving, and tearing are physical changes.
4 Which subatomic particle has a positive charge
A Electron
B Neutron
C Proton
D Positron
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Protons are positively charged and found in the nucleus.
Electrons are negative, neutrons neutral.
5 What type of bond involves the sharing of electrons between atoms
A Ionic bond
B Metallic bond
C Covalent bond
D Hydrogen bond
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Covalent bonds share electron pairs. Ionic bonds transfer
electrons; metallic bonds involve a sea of electrons.
6 Which layer of the Earth is liquid
A Crust
B Mantle
,C Outer core
D Inner core
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The outer core is molten iron and nickel, generating Earth’s
magnetic field. The inner core is solid due to pressure.
7 A car travels 100 kilometers north in 2 hours. Its average velocity is
A 50 km/h south
B 50 km/h north
C 100 km/h north
D 200 km/h north
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Velocity = displacement/time = 100 km north / 2 h = 50 km/h
north. Speed would be 50 km/h without direction.
8 Which of the following is a renewable energy source
A Coal
B Natural gas
C Uranium
D Wind
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Wind is replenished naturally. Coal, gas, and uranium are
finite nonrenewable resources.
9 The process by which a solid changes directly to a gas is called
A Melting
B Freezing
C Condensation
D Sublimation
Correct Answer: D
, Rationale: Sublimation skips the liquid phase, e.g., dry ice to CO₂ gas.
Melting is solid to liquid; condensation gas to liquid.
10 Which planet in our solar system has the highest surface
temperature
A Mercury
B Venus
C Mars
D Jupiter
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Venus has a thick CO₂ atmosphere creating a runaway
greenhouse effect, making it hotter than Mercury despite being farther
from the Sun.
11 Newton’s first law of motion states that an object at rest stays at rest
unless acted on by
A Gravity
B Friction
C A net external force
D Inertia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Newton’s first law (inertia) requires a net external force to
change motion. Inertia itself is the resistance to change.
12 Which type of electromagnetic radiation has the longest wavelength
A Gamma rays
B X-rays
C Ultraviolet
D Radio waves
Correct Answer: D
QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS AND
RATIONALE
1 Which state of matter has both definite shape and definite volume
A Gas
B Liquid
C Solid
D Plasma
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Solids have particles tightly packed in fixed positions, giving
them a definite shape and volume. Gases and plasmas fill their
container, and liquids take the shape of their container.
2 A ball is thrown straight up into the air. At the very top of its path, its
velocity is zero. Its acceleration at that instant is
A Zero
B 9.8 m/s² upward
C 9.8 m/s² downward
D Dependent on the ball’s mass
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gravity constantly accelerates objects downward at 9.8 m/s²
near Earth’s surface. Even at the top, acceleration due to gravity
remains unchanged.
,3 Which of the following is an example of a chemical change
A Ice melting into water
B Sugar dissolving in coffee
C Iron rusting
Tearing a piece of paper
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rusting forms a new substance (iron oxide) through a
chemical reaction. Melting, dissolving, and tearing are physical changes.
4 Which subatomic particle has a positive charge
A Electron
B Neutron
C Proton
D Positron
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Protons are positively charged and found in the nucleus.
Electrons are negative, neutrons neutral.
5 What type of bond involves the sharing of electrons between atoms
A Ionic bond
B Metallic bond
C Covalent bond
D Hydrogen bond
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Covalent bonds share electron pairs. Ionic bonds transfer
electrons; metallic bonds involve a sea of electrons.
6 Which layer of the Earth is liquid
A Crust
B Mantle
,C Outer core
D Inner core
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The outer core is molten iron and nickel, generating Earth’s
magnetic field. The inner core is solid due to pressure.
7 A car travels 100 kilometers north in 2 hours. Its average velocity is
A 50 km/h south
B 50 km/h north
C 100 km/h north
D 200 km/h north
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Velocity = displacement/time = 100 km north / 2 h = 50 km/h
north. Speed would be 50 km/h without direction.
8 Which of the following is a renewable energy source
A Coal
B Natural gas
C Uranium
D Wind
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Wind is replenished naturally. Coal, gas, and uranium are
finite nonrenewable resources.
9 The process by which a solid changes directly to a gas is called
A Melting
B Freezing
C Condensation
D Sublimation
Correct Answer: D
, Rationale: Sublimation skips the liquid phase, e.g., dry ice to CO₂ gas.
Melting is solid to liquid; condensation gas to liquid.
10 Which planet in our solar system has the highest surface
temperature
A Mercury
B Venus
C Mars
D Jupiter
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Venus has a thick CO₂ atmosphere creating a runaway
greenhouse effect, making it hotter than Mercury despite being farther
from the Sun.
11 Newton’s first law of motion states that an object at rest stays at rest
unless acted on by
A Gravity
B Friction
C A net external force
D Inertia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Newton’s first law (inertia) requires a net external force to
change motion. Inertia itself is the resistance to change.
12 Which type of electromagnetic radiation has the longest wavelength
A Gamma rays
B X-rays
C Ultraviolet
D Radio waves
Correct Answer: D
