C371: CONCEPTS IN SCIENCE (WGU)
2026 QUESTIONS AND - ANSWERS | A+
GRADED | WITH EXPERT SOLUTIONS
Chemistry: - - ANSWER The study of atoms and molecules, their structures, and their
interactions to form various substances.
Physics: - - ANSWER The study of forces, energy and motion.
Earth Science: - - ANSWER 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: - - ANSWER The scientific study of nonliving matter. Ex: chemistry,
physics, and Earth science.
Astronomy: - - ANSWER The study of the moon, stars, and other objects in space.
Controlled Experiment: - - ANSWER An experiment in which only one variable is
manipulated at a time..
Independent Variable: - - ANSWER The variable that is manipulated in an experiment.
Dependent Variable: - - ANSWER The outcome factor; the variable that may change in
response to manipulations of the independent variable.
Control Variable: - - ANSWER A variable that is kept constant during a controlled
experiment.
Observational Study: - - ANSWER The systems are observed as they appear in nature
and researchers do not attempt to change them.
Laboratory Experiment: - - ANSWER Researchers study the system of interest in a
highly controlled artificial setting (lab).
Physical Model: - - ANSWER A physical representation of an object. Ex: Scaled down
version of the solar system.
Conceptual Model: - - ANSWER A verbal or graphical explanation for how a system
works or is organized. Ex: posters, charts.
Mathematical Model: - - ANSWER 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: - - ANSWER A computer program that models an event or object.
Important in explaining and predicting natural phenomena. Ex: weather patterns, solar
system.
Principle of Falsification: - - ANSWER Principle that only falsifiable statements can be
subject to scientific inquiry.
Hypothesis: - - ANSWER A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.
Theory: - - ANSWER A hypothesis that has been tested with a significant amount of
data.
Law: - - ANSWER A concise statement that is supported by scientific evidence and
repeated experiments. Describes a widespread pattern in nature. Intended to be
universal.
Scientific Investigation: - - ANSWER Scientists test their ideas with a variety of different
types of investigations. Ex: laboratories, controlled experiments, astronomy, field
studies, models.
SI System: - - ANSWER International System of units based on the metric system and
units derived from the metric system.
Base Quantities: - - ANSWER 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: - - ANSWER Base quantity that measures how long an event lasts or the break
between events.
Length: - - ANSWER Used to describe the distance between two objects, or the two
ends of an object.
Mass: - - ANSWER Used to describe the amount of matter in an object.
Temperature: - - ANSWER A measure of how hot or cold something is.
Gram: - - ANSWER a metric unit of mass equal to one thousandth of a kilogram.
, Meter: - - ANSWER The base unit of length in the metric system. Unit symbol (m).
Liter: - - ANSWER Basic unit of volume in the metric system. Unit symbol (l).
Second: - - ANSWER SI base unit for time. Unit symbol (s).
Kelvin: - - ANSWER Si base unit of temperature. Unit symbol (K).
Mega: - - ANSWER Metric prefix one million of the base unit. 10^6 Unit symbol (M).
Kilo: - - ANSWER Metric prefix 1/1000 or 10^3. Unit symbol (k).
Deci: - - ANSWER Metric prefix 1/10th or 10^(-1) (0.1). Unit symbol (d).
Centi: - - ANSWER Metric prefix 1/100th or 10^(-2) (0.01). Unit symbol (c).
Milli: - - ANSWER Metric prefix 1/1000th or 10^(-3) (0.001). Unit symbol (m).
Micro: - - ANSWER Metric prefix 1/millionth of the base unit. 10^(-6) (0.000001)
Nano: - - ANSWER Metric prefix 1/billionth 10^(-9) (0.000000001). Unit symbol (n).
Derived Units: - - ANSWER What is produced when the base units/quantities are
combined.
Triple Beam Balance: - - ANSWER Instrument used to measure mass.
Graduated Cylinder: - - ANSWER Instrument used to measure volume of a liquid.
Direct Relationship: - - ANSWER 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: - - ANSWER When one variable increases and the other one
decreases, or when one decreases and the other increases.
Speed: - - ANSWER The distance an object travels per unit of time.
Velocity: - - ANSWER The speed and direction of a moving object.
Acceleration: - - ANSWER Chang in an object's velocity; occurs when an object:
*speeds up
*slows down &/or
*changes direction
Force: - - ANSWER A push or pull exerted on an object.
2026 QUESTIONS AND - ANSWERS | A+
GRADED | WITH EXPERT SOLUTIONS
Chemistry: - - ANSWER The study of atoms and molecules, their structures, and their
interactions to form various substances.
Physics: - - ANSWER The study of forces, energy and motion.
Earth Science: - - ANSWER 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: - - ANSWER The scientific study of nonliving matter. Ex: chemistry,
physics, and Earth science.
Astronomy: - - ANSWER The study of the moon, stars, and other objects in space.
Controlled Experiment: - - ANSWER An experiment in which only one variable is
manipulated at a time..
Independent Variable: - - ANSWER The variable that is manipulated in an experiment.
Dependent Variable: - - ANSWER The outcome factor; the variable that may change in
response to manipulations of the independent variable.
Control Variable: - - ANSWER A variable that is kept constant during a controlled
experiment.
Observational Study: - - ANSWER The systems are observed as they appear in nature
and researchers do not attempt to change them.
Laboratory Experiment: - - ANSWER Researchers study the system of interest in a
highly controlled artificial setting (lab).
Physical Model: - - ANSWER A physical representation of an object. Ex: Scaled down
version of the solar system.
Conceptual Model: - - ANSWER A verbal or graphical explanation for how a system
works or is organized. Ex: posters, charts.
Mathematical Model: - - ANSWER 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: - - ANSWER A computer program that models an event or object.
Important in explaining and predicting natural phenomena. Ex: weather patterns, solar
system.
Principle of Falsification: - - ANSWER Principle that only falsifiable statements can be
subject to scientific inquiry.
Hypothesis: - - ANSWER A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.
Theory: - - ANSWER A hypothesis that has been tested with a significant amount of
data.
Law: - - ANSWER A concise statement that is supported by scientific evidence and
repeated experiments. Describes a widespread pattern in nature. Intended to be
universal.
Scientific Investigation: - - ANSWER Scientists test their ideas with a variety of different
types of investigations. Ex: laboratories, controlled experiments, astronomy, field
studies, models.
SI System: - - ANSWER International System of units based on the metric system and
units derived from the metric system.
Base Quantities: - - ANSWER 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: - - ANSWER Base quantity that measures how long an event lasts or the break
between events.
Length: - - ANSWER Used to describe the distance between two objects, or the two
ends of an object.
Mass: - - ANSWER Used to describe the amount of matter in an object.
Temperature: - - ANSWER A measure of how hot or cold something is.
Gram: - - ANSWER a metric unit of mass equal to one thousandth of a kilogram.
, Meter: - - ANSWER The base unit of length in the metric system. Unit symbol (m).
Liter: - - ANSWER Basic unit of volume in the metric system. Unit symbol (l).
Second: - - ANSWER SI base unit for time. Unit symbol (s).
Kelvin: - - ANSWER Si base unit of temperature. Unit symbol (K).
Mega: - - ANSWER Metric prefix one million of the base unit. 10^6 Unit symbol (M).
Kilo: - - ANSWER Metric prefix 1/1000 or 10^3. Unit symbol (k).
Deci: - - ANSWER Metric prefix 1/10th or 10^(-1) (0.1). Unit symbol (d).
Centi: - - ANSWER Metric prefix 1/100th or 10^(-2) (0.01). Unit symbol (c).
Milli: - - ANSWER Metric prefix 1/1000th or 10^(-3) (0.001). Unit symbol (m).
Micro: - - ANSWER Metric prefix 1/millionth of the base unit. 10^(-6) (0.000001)
Nano: - - ANSWER Metric prefix 1/billionth 10^(-9) (0.000000001). Unit symbol (n).
Derived Units: - - ANSWER What is produced when the base units/quantities are
combined.
Triple Beam Balance: - - ANSWER Instrument used to measure mass.
Graduated Cylinder: - - ANSWER Instrument used to measure volume of a liquid.
Direct Relationship: - - ANSWER 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: - - ANSWER When one variable increases and the other one
decreases, or when one decreases and the other increases.
Speed: - - ANSWER The distance an object travels per unit of time.
Velocity: - - ANSWER The speed and direction of a moving object.
Acceleration: - - ANSWER Chang in an object's velocity; occurs when an object:
*speeds up
*slows down &/or
*changes direction
Force: - - ANSWER A push or pull exerted on an object.
