WGU C165 Integrated Physical Sciences
Exam Prep
200 Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales
2026/2027 Edition
SECTION 1: THE NATURE OF SCIENCE & SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY
(Questions 1-35)
1. Which discipline of physical science is used to develop a mathematical
model predicting the trajectory of a bullet fired from a gun?
A) Chemistry
B) Earth science
C) Physics
D) Astronomy
Answer: C) Physics
Rationale: Physics is the study of forces, energy, and motion. Trajectory
calculations involve forces (gravity, air resistance), motion (velocity, acceleration),
and energy—all core physics concepts. Chemistry studies matter composition,
Earth science studies Earth processes, and astronomy studies celestial objects.
2. An environmental scientist monitors pollutants in a lake. Which two
disciplines of physical science does this scientist use? (Select two)
A) Astronomy
B) Chemistry
C) Earth science
D) Physics
,Answer: B) Chemistry & C) Earth science
Rationale: Monitoring pollutants involves Chemistry (identifying chemical
composition of pollutants, understanding chemical reactions in water) and Earth
science (studying the lake as an Earth system, how pollutants move through the
environment). Physics and astronomy are not directly involved in pollutant
monitoring.
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
Answer: A) Calculating how much energy is associated with a hurricane
Rationale: Hurricane energy calculation combines Earth science (studying
atmospheric/ocean systems, weather phenomena) with Physics (energy
calculations, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics). Options B and C involve only
physics, and D involves only chemistry/earth science.
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?
Answer: A) Does ice melt faster in an empty glass or in a glass full of water?
Rationale: This question can be answered through a controlled experiment where
variables (temperature, ice size, glass type) are controlled and the independent
variable (presence/absence of water in the glass) is manipulated. The other
questions require observational studies or measurement, not controlled
experiments.
,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) Determining the age of a fossil
Answer: A) Determining how fast different chemical pollutants dissolve in
water
Rationale: This can be studied with a controlled experiment where variables are
manipulated (temperature, stirring rate, pollutant type). Stellar composition, river
flow rates, and fossil ages require observational studies rather than controlled
experiments.
6. A student proposes that sugar will dissolve faster in rubbing alcohol than in
water. The student reasons that sugar and rubbing alcohol both contain
carbon so they will mix more easily. Which type of scientific idea is the
student's proposal an example of?
A) Hypothesis
B) Theory
C) Law
D) Observation
Answer: A) Hypothesis
Rationale: A hypothesis is a testable statement about how something in nature
works. The student's proposal can be tested through experimentation, making it a
hypothesis. A theory explains a wide range of observations with substantial
evidence; a law describes widespread patterns in nature; an observation is a
recorded measurement or fact.
7. According to the theory of plate tectonics, volcanoes are especially likely to
form along plate boundaries because of rising magma. New satellite data
, reveals thousands of seamounts (small volcanoes), some in lines corresponding
to plate boundaries, but many not aligned this way. How should scientists
appropriately respond to this new evidence?
A) Reject it because it contradicts the theory of plate tectonics
B) Accept it if the person proposing it is a credible expert
C) Carry out more research to understand better how the seamounts form
D) Stage public debates to get a consensus
Answer: C) Carry out more research to understand better how the seamounts
form
Rationale: The scientific process requires investigating contradictory evidence
through further research. Scientists should not reject evidence simply because it
challenges existing theories, nor should they accept claims based on reputation
alone. Scientific consensus emerges from evidence, not public debate.
8. For almost 1500 years, most scientists in Europe accepted Ptolemy's
geocentric model suggesting the sun revolved around Earth. By the eighteenth
century, most supported the heliocentric model. What is an appropriate
scientific basis for this change in view?
A) The prominent scientist supporting the geocentric model died
B) The existing theory was changed to account for new data
C) The old theory was voted down by a scientific council
D) The heliocentric model was supported by a popular scientist
Answer: B) The existing theory was changed to account for new data
Rationale: Scientific theories evolve and change when new evidence provides
better explanations. The shift to heliocentrism occurred because observations
(planetary positions, phases of Venus) could not be explained by the geocentric
model. Scientific change is driven by evidence, not popularity, voting, or individual
authority.
9. Which type of scientific idea is plate tectonics an example of?
Exam Prep
200 Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales
2026/2027 Edition
SECTION 1: THE NATURE OF SCIENCE & SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY
(Questions 1-35)
1. Which discipline of physical science is used to develop a mathematical
model predicting the trajectory of a bullet fired from a gun?
A) Chemistry
B) Earth science
C) Physics
D) Astronomy
Answer: C) Physics
Rationale: Physics is the study of forces, energy, and motion. Trajectory
calculations involve forces (gravity, air resistance), motion (velocity, acceleration),
and energy—all core physics concepts. Chemistry studies matter composition,
Earth science studies Earth processes, and astronomy studies celestial objects.
2. An environmental scientist monitors pollutants in a lake. Which two
disciplines of physical science does this scientist use? (Select two)
A) Astronomy
B) Chemistry
C) Earth science
D) Physics
,Answer: B) Chemistry & C) Earth science
Rationale: Monitoring pollutants involves Chemistry (identifying chemical
composition of pollutants, understanding chemical reactions in water) and Earth
science (studying the lake as an Earth system, how pollutants move through the
environment). Physics and astronomy are not directly involved in pollutant
monitoring.
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
Answer: A) Calculating how much energy is associated with a hurricane
Rationale: Hurricane energy calculation combines Earth science (studying
atmospheric/ocean systems, weather phenomena) with Physics (energy
calculations, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics). Options B and C involve only
physics, and D involves only chemistry/earth science.
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?
Answer: A) Does ice melt faster in an empty glass or in a glass full of water?
Rationale: This question can be answered through a controlled experiment where
variables (temperature, ice size, glass type) are controlled and the independent
variable (presence/absence of water in the glass) is manipulated. The other
questions require observational studies or measurement, not controlled
experiments.
,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) Determining the age of a fossil
Answer: A) Determining how fast different chemical pollutants dissolve in
water
Rationale: This can be studied with a controlled experiment where variables are
manipulated (temperature, stirring rate, pollutant type). Stellar composition, river
flow rates, and fossil ages require observational studies rather than controlled
experiments.
6. A student proposes that sugar will dissolve faster in rubbing alcohol than in
water. The student reasons that sugar and rubbing alcohol both contain
carbon so they will mix more easily. Which type of scientific idea is the
student's proposal an example of?
A) Hypothesis
B) Theory
C) Law
D) Observation
Answer: A) Hypothesis
Rationale: A hypothesis is a testable statement about how something in nature
works. The student's proposal can be tested through experimentation, making it a
hypothesis. A theory explains a wide range of observations with substantial
evidence; a law describes widespread patterns in nature; an observation is a
recorded measurement or fact.
7. According to the theory of plate tectonics, volcanoes are especially likely to
form along plate boundaries because of rising magma. New satellite data
, reveals thousands of seamounts (small volcanoes), some in lines corresponding
to plate boundaries, but many not aligned this way. How should scientists
appropriately respond to this new evidence?
A) Reject it because it contradicts the theory of plate tectonics
B) Accept it if the person proposing it is a credible expert
C) Carry out more research to understand better how the seamounts form
D) Stage public debates to get a consensus
Answer: C) Carry out more research to understand better how the seamounts
form
Rationale: The scientific process requires investigating contradictory evidence
through further research. Scientists should not reject evidence simply because it
challenges existing theories, nor should they accept claims based on reputation
alone. Scientific consensus emerges from evidence, not public debate.
8. For almost 1500 years, most scientists in Europe accepted Ptolemy's
geocentric model suggesting the sun revolved around Earth. By the eighteenth
century, most supported the heliocentric model. What is an appropriate
scientific basis for this change in view?
A) The prominent scientist supporting the geocentric model died
B) The existing theory was changed to account for new data
C) The old theory was voted down by a scientific council
D) The heliocentric model was supported by a popular scientist
Answer: B) The existing theory was changed to account for new data
Rationale: Scientific theories evolve and change when new evidence provides
better explanations. The shift to heliocentrism occurred because observations
(planetary positions, phases of Venus) could not be explained by the geocentric
model. Scientific change is driven by evidence, not popularity, voting, or individual
authority.
9. Which type of scientific idea is plate tectonics an example of?
