WGU-C165: Integrated Physical Science
Chemistry: - The study of atoms and molecules, their structures, and their interactions
to form various substances.
Physics: - The study of forces, energy and motion.
Earth Science: - This field focuses on Earth's structure and composition, as well as the
processes that change Earth, such as volcanic and seismic activity.
Physical Science: - The scientific study of nonliving matter. Ex: chemistry, physics, and
Earth science.
Astronomy: - The study of the moon, stars, and other objects in space.
Controlled Experiment: - An experiment in which only one variable is manipulated at a
time..
Independent Variable: - The variable that is manipulated in an experiment.
Dependent Variable: - The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to
manipulations of the independent variable.
Control Variable: - A variable that is kept constant during a controlled experiment.
Observational Study: - The systems are observed as they appear in nature and
researchers do not attempt to change them.
Laboratory Experiment: - Researchers study the system of interest in a highly controlled
artificial setting (lab).
Physical Model: - A physical representation of an object. Ex: Scaled down version of the
solar system.
Conceptual Model: - A verbal or graphical explanation for how a system works or is
organized. Ex: posters, charts.
Mathematical Model: - Uses different forms of data to represent the way a system or
process works. Ex: formulas, graphs, mathematical means. Ex: F=ma (formula).
Computer Model: - A computer program that models an event or object. Important in
explaining and predicting natural phenomena. Ex: weather patterns, solar system.
,Principle of Falsification: - Principle that only falsifiable statements can be subject to
scientific inquiry.
Hypothesis: - A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.
Theory: - A hypothesis that has been tested with a significant amount of data.
Law: - A concise statement that is supported by scientific evidence and repeated
experiments. Describes a widespread pattern in nature. Intended to be universal.
Scientific Investigation: - Scientists test their ideas with a variety of different types of
investigations. Ex: laboratories, controlled experiments, astronomy, field studies,
models.
SI System: - International System of units based on the metric system and units derived
from the metric system.
Base Quantities: - Seven designated physical quantities (sets) from which all other SI
quantities can be derived.
(1) Meter (m)-length
(2) Kilogram (k)-mass
(3) Second (s)-time
(4) Kelvin (K)-temperature
(5) Amperes (A)-"amp"-electric current
(6) Candela (cd)-light intensity
(7) Moles (mol)-amount of substance
Time: - Base quantity that measures how long an event lasts or the break between
events.
Length: - Used to describe the distance between two objects, or the two ends of an
object.
Mass: - Used to describe the amount of matter in an object.
Temperature: - A measure of how hot or cold something is.
Gram: - a metric unit of mass equal to one thousandth of a kilogram.
Meter: - The base unit of length in the metric system. Unit symbol (m).
Liter: - Basic unit of volume in the metric system. Unit symbol (l).
Second: - SI base unit for time. Unit symbol (s).
Kelvin: - Si base unit of temperature. Unit symbol (K).
, Mega: - Metric prefix one million of the base unit. 10^6 Unit symbol (M).
Kilo: - Metric prefix 1/1000 or 10^3. Unit symbol (k).
Deci: - Metric prefix 1/10th or 10^(-1) (0.1). Unit symbol (d).
Centi: - Metric prefix 1/100th or 10^(-2) (0.01). Unit symbol (c).
Milli: - Metric prefix 1/1000th or 10^(-3) (0.001). Unit symbol (m).
Micro: - Metric prefix 1/millionth of the base unit. 10^(-6) (0.000001)
Nano: - Metric prefix 1/billionth 10^(-9) (0.000000001). Unit symbol (n).
Derived Units: - What is produced when the base units/quantities are combined.
Triple Beam Balance: - Instrument used to measure mass.
Graduated Cylinder: - Instrument used to measure volume of a liquid.
Direct Relationship: - When an increase of one variable results in an increase of the
other, or a decrease of one results in a decrease of the other.
Inverse Relationship: - When one variable increases and the other one decreases, or
when one decreases and the other increases.
Speed: - The distance an object travels per unit of time.
Velocity: - The speed and direction of a moving object.
Acceleration: - Chang in an object's velocity; occurs when an object:
*speeds up
*slows down &/or
*changes direction
Force: - A push or pull exerted on an object.
Combined Forces: - Two or more forces acting in the same direction on the same
object. They add to produce a net force that is stronger than any one of the forces.
Net Force: - The sum of all forces acting on an object.
Opposing Forces: - Two forces of the same magnitude acting on the same object in
opposite directions.
Chemistry: - The study of atoms and molecules, their structures, and their interactions
to form various substances.
Physics: - The study of forces, energy and motion.
Earth Science: - This field focuses on Earth's structure and composition, as well as the
processes that change Earth, such as volcanic and seismic activity.
Physical Science: - The scientific study of nonliving matter. Ex: chemistry, physics, and
Earth science.
Astronomy: - The study of the moon, stars, and other objects in space.
Controlled Experiment: - An experiment in which only one variable is manipulated at a
time..
Independent Variable: - The variable that is manipulated in an experiment.
Dependent Variable: - The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to
manipulations of the independent variable.
Control Variable: - A variable that is kept constant during a controlled experiment.
Observational Study: - The systems are observed as they appear in nature and
researchers do not attempt to change them.
Laboratory Experiment: - Researchers study the system of interest in a highly controlled
artificial setting (lab).
Physical Model: - A physical representation of an object. Ex: Scaled down version of the
solar system.
Conceptual Model: - A verbal or graphical explanation for how a system works or is
organized. Ex: posters, charts.
Mathematical Model: - Uses different forms of data to represent the way a system or
process works. Ex: formulas, graphs, mathematical means. Ex: F=ma (formula).
Computer Model: - A computer program that models an event or object. Important in
explaining and predicting natural phenomena. Ex: weather patterns, solar system.
,Principle of Falsification: - Principle that only falsifiable statements can be subject to
scientific inquiry.
Hypothesis: - A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.
Theory: - A hypothesis that has been tested with a significant amount of data.
Law: - A concise statement that is supported by scientific evidence and repeated
experiments. Describes a widespread pattern in nature. Intended to be universal.
Scientific Investigation: - Scientists test their ideas with a variety of different types of
investigations. Ex: laboratories, controlled experiments, astronomy, field studies,
models.
SI System: - International System of units based on the metric system and units derived
from the metric system.
Base Quantities: - Seven designated physical quantities (sets) from which all other SI
quantities can be derived.
(1) Meter (m)-length
(2) Kilogram (k)-mass
(3) Second (s)-time
(4) Kelvin (K)-temperature
(5) Amperes (A)-"amp"-electric current
(6) Candela (cd)-light intensity
(7) Moles (mol)-amount of substance
Time: - Base quantity that measures how long an event lasts or the break between
events.
Length: - Used to describe the distance between two objects, or the two ends of an
object.
Mass: - Used to describe the amount of matter in an object.
Temperature: - A measure of how hot or cold something is.
Gram: - a metric unit of mass equal to one thousandth of a kilogram.
Meter: - The base unit of length in the metric system. Unit symbol (m).
Liter: - Basic unit of volume in the metric system. Unit symbol (l).
Second: - SI base unit for time. Unit symbol (s).
Kelvin: - Si base unit of temperature. Unit symbol (K).
, Mega: - Metric prefix one million of the base unit. 10^6 Unit symbol (M).
Kilo: - Metric prefix 1/1000 or 10^3. Unit symbol (k).
Deci: - Metric prefix 1/10th or 10^(-1) (0.1). Unit symbol (d).
Centi: - Metric prefix 1/100th or 10^(-2) (0.01). Unit symbol (c).
Milli: - Metric prefix 1/1000th or 10^(-3) (0.001). Unit symbol (m).
Micro: - Metric prefix 1/millionth of the base unit. 10^(-6) (0.000001)
Nano: - Metric prefix 1/billionth 10^(-9) (0.000000001). Unit symbol (n).
Derived Units: - What is produced when the base units/quantities are combined.
Triple Beam Balance: - Instrument used to measure mass.
Graduated Cylinder: - Instrument used to measure volume of a liquid.
Direct Relationship: - When an increase of one variable results in an increase of the
other, or a decrease of one results in a decrease of the other.
Inverse Relationship: - When one variable increases and the other one decreases, or
when one decreases and the other increases.
Speed: - The distance an object travels per unit of time.
Velocity: - The speed and direction of a moving object.
Acceleration: - Chang in an object's velocity; occurs when an object:
*speeds up
*slows down &/or
*changes direction
Force: - A push or pull exerted on an object.
Combined Forces: - Two or more forces acting in the same direction on the same
object. They add to produce a net force that is stronger than any one of the forces.
Net Force: - The sum of all forces acting on an object.
Opposing Forces: - Two forces of the same magnitude acting on the same object in
opposite directions.
