WGU Integrated Physical sciences
(C165) Exam Test Exam Questions and
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A At the
Western Governors University.
1. Which branch of science focuses on the study of matter and
energy?
A. Biology
B. Chemistry
C. Physics
D. Earth Science
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Physics examines the fundamental principles governing matter,
energy, motion, and forces.
2. What is the smallest unit of an element that retains its chemical
properties?
A. Molecule
B. Atom
C. Proton
D. Compound
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale:
An atom is the basic building block of matter that defines an
element.
3. Which subatomic particle has a negative charge?
A. Proton
B. Neutron
C. Electron
D. Nucleus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Electrons carry a negative charge and orbit the nucleus of an atom.
4. What state of matter has a definite volume but no definite
shape?
A. Solid
B. Liquid
C. Gas
D. Plasma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Liquids take the shape of their container while maintaining a fixed
volume.
5. Which law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed?
A. Newton’s First Law
B. Law of Conservation of Energy
C. Law of Universal Gravitation
D. Ohm’s Law
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale:
Energy can only be transformed from one form to another, not
created or destroyed.
6. What type of energy is stored in chemical bonds?
A. Kinetic
B. Thermal
C. Chemical
D. Electrical
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Chemical energy is stored within the bonds of molecules and
released during reactions.
7. Which form of energy is associated with motion?
A. Potential
B. Chemical
C. Thermal
D. Kinetic
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion.
8. Which unit is used to measure force?
A. Joule
B. Watt
C. Newton
D. Pascal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
A newton is the SI unit of force, defined as mass times acceleration.
, 9. What causes an object to accelerate?
A. Balanced forces
B. No force
C. Net force
D. Gravity alone
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Acceleration occurs when there is a net (unbalanced) force acting
on an object.
10. Which type of rock forms from cooled magma or lava?
A. Sedimentary
B. Metamorphic
C. Igneous
D. Fossiliferous
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Igneous rocks form when molten rock cools and solidifies.
11. What process turns sediment into sedimentary rock?
A. Melting
B. Erosion
C. Compaction and cementation
D. Crystallization
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Sediments are compacted and cemented together over time to form
sedimentary rocks.
12. Which layer of Earth is the hottest?
(C165) Exam Test Exam Questions and
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A At the
Western Governors University.
1. Which branch of science focuses on the study of matter and
energy?
A. Biology
B. Chemistry
C. Physics
D. Earth Science
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Physics examines the fundamental principles governing matter,
energy, motion, and forces.
2. What is the smallest unit of an element that retains its chemical
properties?
A. Molecule
B. Atom
C. Proton
D. Compound
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale:
An atom is the basic building block of matter that defines an
element.
3. Which subatomic particle has a negative charge?
A. Proton
B. Neutron
C. Electron
D. Nucleus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Electrons carry a negative charge and orbit the nucleus of an atom.
4. What state of matter has a definite volume but no definite
shape?
A. Solid
B. Liquid
C. Gas
D. Plasma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Liquids take the shape of their container while maintaining a fixed
volume.
5. Which law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed?
A. Newton’s First Law
B. Law of Conservation of Energy
C. Law of Universal Gravitation
D. Ohm’s Law
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale:
Energy can only be transformed from one form to another, not
created or destroyed.
6. What type of energy is stored in chemical bonds?
A. Kinetic
B. Thermal
C. Chemical
D. Electrical
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Chemical energy is stored within the bonds of molecules and
released during reactions.
7. Which form of energy is associated with motion?
A. Potential
B. Chemical
C. Thermal
D. Kinetic
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion.
8. Which unit is used to measure force?
A. Joule
B. Watt
C. Newton
D. Pascal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
A newton is the SI unit of force, defined as mass times acceleration.
, 9. What causes an object to accelerate?
A. Balanced forces
B. No force
C. Net force
D. Gravity alone
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Acceleration occurs when there is a net (unbalanced) force acting
on an object.
10. Which type of rock forms from cooled magma or lava?
A. Sedimentary
B. Metamorphic
C. Igneous
D. Fossiliferous
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Igneous rocks form when molten rock cools and solidifies.
11. What process turns sediment into sedimentary rock?
A. Melting
B. Erosion
C. Compaction and cementation
D. Crystallization
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Sediments are compacted and cemented together over time to form
sedimentary rocks.
12. Which layer of Earth is the hottest?
