WGU C165 Integrated Physical Sciences -
Complete OA Exam Bank
200 Questions & Answers with Rationales |
2026/2027 Updated Edition
SECTION 1: SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY & METHODOLOGY (Questions 1-25)
Question 1:
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?
A) Chemistry
B) Earth science
C) Physics
D) Astronomy
Correct Answer: C) Physics
Rationale: Physics is the branch of physical science that deals with motion, forces,
and energy. Trajectory prediction involves understanding projectile motion,
velocity, acceleration, and gravitational effects—all core physics concepts .
Question 2:
An environmental scientist monitors pollutants in a lake. Which two disciplines of
physical science does this scientist use?
,A) Astronomy and Physics
B) Chemistry and Earth science
C) Physics and Astronomy
D) Biology and Chemistry
Correct Answer: B) Chemistry and Earth science
Rationale: Monitoring lake pollutants involves chemistry (analyzing chemical
composition of pollutants) and Earth science (studying water systems, how
pollutants move through the environment, and their impact on Earth's systems) .
Question 3:
Which study involves both Earth science and physics?
A) Calculating how much energy is associated with a hurricane
B) Measuring the energy produced by a generator
C) Comparing the composition of crude oil from different regions
D) Monitoring changes in phosphorus levels of a lake
Correct Answer: A) Calculating how much energy is associated with a hurricane
Rationale: This combines Earth science (studying hurricane formation and
behavior as an Earth system) with physics (calculating energy, which involves
thermodynamics and mechanics principles) .
Question 4:
,Which question could be answered with a controlled experiment?
A) Does ice melt faster in an empty glass or in a glass full of water?
B) Do all planets have the same shape of orbit around the sun?
C) What is the maximum distance between Earth and Jupiter?
D) What is the length of the longest river in North America?
Correct Answer: A) Does ice melt faster in an empty glass or in a glass full of
water?
Rationale: A controlled experiment requires manipulating one variable while
keeping others constant. This question allows for controlled conditions (same
temperature, same ice amount, different liquid amounts). The other options involve
observational studies or measurements that cannot be experimentally controlled .
Question 5:
Which topic would be appropriate for a controlled experiment?
A) Determining how fast different chemical pollutants dissolve in water
B) Comparing the elements present in different stars
C) Measuring how fast a river flows
D) Observing planetary orbits
Correct Answer: A) Determining how fast different chemical pollutants dissolve in
water
, Rationale: This can be studied under controlled laboratory conditions where
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variables like temperature, stirring rate, and concentration can be manipulated and
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controlled. The other options involve astronomical or geological observations that
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cannot be experimentally manipulated .
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Question 6: K.
A student proposes that sugar will dissolve faster in rubbing alcohol than in water.
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The student reasons that sugar and rubbing alcohol both contain carbon so they
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will mix more easily. Which type of scientific idea is the student's proposal an
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example of?
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A) Hypothesis
B) Theory
C) Law
D) Observation
Correct Answer: A) Hypothesis
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Rationale: A hypothesis is a proposed explanation or prediction that can be tested
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through experimentation. The student is making a testable prediction based on
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reasoning about molecular properties .
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Question 7: K.
According to the theory of plate tectonics, volcanoes are especially likely to form
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along plate boundaries because of rising magma. New satellite data mapping the
K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K.
ocean floor reveals thousands of seamounts (small volcanoes). Some seamounts
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are in lines that could correspond to past or present plate boundaries, but many are
K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K.
not aligned in this way. What would be the appropriate response of scientists?
K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K.
Complete OA Exam Bank
200 Questions & Answers with Rationales |
2026/2027 Updated Edition
SECTION 1: SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY & METHODOLOGY (Questions 1-25)
Question 1:
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?
A) Chemistry
B) Earth science
C) Physics
D) Astronomy
Correct Answer: C) Physics
Rationale: Physics is the branch of physical science that deals with motion, forces,
and energy. Trajectory prediction involves understanding projectile motion,
velocity, acceleration, and gravitational effects—all core physics concepts .
Question 2:
An environmental scientist monitors pollutants in a lake. Which two disciplines of
physical science does this scientist use?
,A) Astronomy and Physics
B) Chemistry and Earth science
C) Physics and Astronomy
D) Biology and Chemistry
Correct Answer: B) Chemistry and Earth science
Rationale: Monitoring lake pollutants involves chemistry (analyzing chemical
composition of pollutants) and Earth science (studying water systems, how
pollutants move through the environment, and their impact on Earth's systems) .
Question 3:
Which study involves both Earth science and physics?
A) Calculating how much energy is associated with a hurricane
B) Measuring the energy produced by a generator
C) Comparing the composition of crude oil from different regions
D) Monitoring changes in phosphorus levels of a lake
Correct Answer: A) Calculating how much energy is associated with a hurricane
Rationale: This combines Earth science (studying hurricane formation and
behavior as an Earth system) with physics (calculating energy, which involves
thermodynamics and mechanics principles) .
Question 4:
,Which question could be answered with a controlled experiment?
A) Does ice melt faster in an empty glass or in a glass full of water?
B) Do all planets have the same shape of orbit around the sun?
C) What is the maximum distance between Earth and Jupiter?
D) What is the length of the longest river in North America?
Correct Answer: A) Does ice melt faster in an empty glass or in a glass full of
water?
Rationale: A controlled experiment requires manipulating one variable while
keeping others constant. This question allows for controlled conditions (same
temperature, same ice amount, different liquid amounts). The other options involve
observational studies or measurements that cannot be experimentally controlled .
Question 5:
Which topic would be appropriate for a controlled experiment?
A) Determining how fast different chemical pollutants dissolve in water
B) Comparing the elements present in different stars
C) Measuring how fast a river flows
D) Observing planetary orbits
Correct Answer: A) Determining how fast different chemical pollutants dissolve in
water
, Rationale: This can be studied under controlled laboratory conditions where
K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K.
variables like temperature, stirring rate, and concentration can be manipulated and
K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K.
controlled. The other options involve astronomical or geological observations that
K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K.
cannot be experimentally manipulated .
K. K. K. K. K.
Question 6: K.
A student proposes that sugar will dissolve faster in rubbing alcohol than in water.
K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K.
The student reasons that sugar and rubbing alcohol both contain carbon so they
K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K.
will mix more easily. Which type of scientific idea is the student's proposal an
K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K.
example of?
K. K.
A) Hypothesis
B) Theory
C) Law
D) Observation
Correct Answer: A) Hypothesis
K. K. K.
Rationale: A hypothesis is a proposed explanation or prediction that can be tested
K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K.
through experimentation. The student is making a testable prediction based on
K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K.
reasoning about molecular properties .
K. K. K. K. K.
Question 7: K.
According to the theory of plate tectonics, volcanoes are especially likely to form
K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K.
along plate boundaries because of rising magma. New satellite data mapping the
K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K.
ocean floor reveals thousands of seamounts (small volcanoes). Some seamounts
K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K.
are in lines that could correspond to past or present plate boundaries, but many are
K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K.
not aligned in this way. What would be the appropriate response of scientists?
K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K. K.
