WGU C165 Integrated Physical
Sciences: Physics & Motion100
Practice Questions & answers
(Original Content) .
Q1. Which question could be ,,Verified Answer Guide,,,ed with a controlled
experiment?
• A. Does ice melt faster in an empty glass or in a glass full of water?
• B. How were the Rocky Mountains formed?
• C. What is the average temperature of the universe?
• D. Will it rain in Seattle next Tuesday?
,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: A. A controlled experiment involves manipulating one
variable while keeping others constant, which is possible for the ice-melting question .
Q2. An environmental scientist monitors pollutants in a lake. Which two disciplines of
physical science does this scientist use?
• A. Physics and Astronomy
• B. Chemistry and Earth Science
• C. Biology and Geology
• D. Mathematics only
,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: B. Chemistry (analyzing chemical pollutants) and Earth
Science (studying the lake ecosystem) .
,Q3. 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
,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: C. Physics—specifically mechanics and kinematics .
Q4. Which study involves both Earth science and physics?
• A. Identifying minerals in a rock sample
• B. Calculating how much energy is associated with a hurricane
• C. Determining the chemical composition of ocean water
• D. Classifying different types of clouds
,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: B. Hurricane energy calculation combines physics (energy
equations) with Earth science (atmospheric processes) .
Q5. What is the primary difference between a law and a theory in science?
• A. Laws are more important than theories
• B. A law describes a pattern in nature; a theory explains why it happens
• C. Theories become laws after enough evidence
• D. Laws can be changed; theories cannot
,,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: B. A law describes what happens (e.g., Newton's laws), while
a theory explains how and why something occurs .
Q6. A testable statement about how something in nature works, based on available
evidence, is called a:
• A. Theory
• B. Law
• C. Hypothesis
• D. Conclusion
,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: C. A hypothesis is a testable statement intended to be
tested through experimentation .
Q7. Which type of study involves observing systems as they appear in nature without
attempting to change them?
• A. Controlled experiment
• B. Laboratory study
• C. Observational study
• D. Clinical trial
,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: C. Observational studies observe natural systems without
manipulation .
Q8. A scientist wants to determine how different chemical pollutants dissolve in water.
This topic would be appropriate for:
, • A. An observational study only
• B. A controlled experiment
• C. A field study only
• D. A case study
,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: B. The dissolution rate of pollutants can be tested in a
laboratory with controlled variables .
Q9. Which of the following represents a physical model?
• A. A mathematical equation describing planetary motion
• B. A small-scale replica of a bridge used for wind tunnel testing
• C. A computer simulation of weather patterns
• D. A diagram of an atom's structure
,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: B. A physical model is a tangible representation of an object
or phenomenon, usually on a smaller scale .
Q10. A conceptual model is best described as:
• A. A mathematical formula
• B. A visualization of things that cannot be seen, such as atoms
• C. A computer program
• D. A physical replica
,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: B. Conceptual models help visualize abstract or invisible
concepts like atomic structure .
Sciences: Physics & Motion100
Practice Questions & answers
(Original Content) .
Q1. Which question could be ,,Verified Answer Guide,,,ed with a controlled
experiment?
• A. Does ice melt faster in an empty glass or in a glass full of water?
• B. How were the Rocky Mountains formed?
• C. What is the average temperature of the universe?
• D. Will it rain in Seattle next Tuesday?
,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: A. A controlled experiment involves manipulating one
variable while keeping others constant, which is possible for the ice-melting question .
Q2. An environmental scientist monitors pollutants in a lake. Which two disciplines of
physical science does this scientist use?
• A. Physics and Astronomy
• B. Chemistry and Earth Science
• C. Biology and Geology
• D. Mathematics only
,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: B. Chemistry (analyzing chemical pollutants) and Earth
Science (studying the lake ecosystem) .
,Q3. 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
,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: C. Physics—specifically mechanics and kinematics .
Q4. Which study involves both Earth science and physics?
• A. Identifying minerals in a rock sample
• B. Calculating how much energy is associated with a hurricane
• C. Determining the chemical composition of ocean water
• D. Classifying different types of clouds
,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: B. Hurricane energy calculation combines physics (energy
equations) with Earth science (atmospheric processes) .
Q5. What is the primary difference between a law and a theory in science?
• A. Laws are more important than theories
• B. A law describes a pattern in nature; a theory explains why it happens
• C. Theories become laws after enough evidence
• D. Laws can be changed; theories cannot
,,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: B. A law describes what happens (e.g., Newton's laws), while
a theory explains how and why something occurs .
Q6. A testable statement about how something in nature works, based on available
evidence, is called a:
• A. Theory
• B. Law
• C. Hypothesis
• D. Conclusion
,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: C. A hypothesis is a testable statement intended to be
tested through experimentation .
Q7. Which type of study involves observing systems as they appear in nature without
attempting to change them?
• A. Controlled experiment
• B. Laboratory study
• C. Observational study
• D. Clinical trial
,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: C. Observational studies observe natural systems without
manipulation .
Q8. A scientist wants to determine how different chemical pollutants dissolve in water.
This topic would be appropriate for:
, • A. An observational study only
• B. A controlled experiment
• C. A field study only
• D. A case study
,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: B. The dissolution rate of pollutants can be tested in a
laboratory with controlled variables .
Q9. Which of the following represents a physical model?
• A. A mathematical equation describing planetary motion
• B. A small-scale replica of a bridge used for wind tunnel testing
• C. A computer simulation of weather patterns
• D. A diagram of an atom's structure
,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: B. A physical model is a tangible representation of an object
or phenomenon, usually on a smaller scale .
Q10. A conceptual model is best described as:
• A. A mathematical formula
• B. A visualization of things that cannot be seen, such as atoms
• C. A computer program
• D. A physical replica
,,Verified Answer Guide,,,: B. Conceptual models help visualize abstract or invisible
concepts like atomic structure .
