WGU C165 INTEGRATED PHYSICAL SCIENCES |
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE, VERIFIED EXAM
Q&A
WGU C165 — INTEGRATED PHYSICAL SCIENCES
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE | VERIFIED EXAM Q&A — 400 QUESTIONS
SECTION 1: SCIENTIFIC METHOD & MEASUREMENT
Q1. What is the correct order of steps in the scientific method?
A. Experiment, Hypothesis, Observation, Conclusion, Theory B. Theory, Observation,
Hypothesis, Experiment, Conclusion C. Observation, Hypothesis, Experiment,
Conclusion, Theory D. Hypothesis, Observation, Theory, Experiment, Conclusion E.
Conclusion, Hypothesis, Observation, Experiment, Theory
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Observation, Hypothesis, Experiment, Conclusion,
Theory
RATIONALE: The scientific method begins with observation, followed by forming a
hypothesis, testing through experimentation, drawing conclusions, and if repeatedly
validated, forming a theory.
Q2. Which SI unit is used to measure mass?
A. Newton B. Joule C. Kilogram D. Pound E. Liter
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Kilogram
RATIONALE: The kilogram (kg) is the base SI unit of mass. Newtons measure
force, joules measure energy, pounds are imperial units, and liters measure volume.
Q3. A hypothesis must be:
A. Proven correct before testing B. Testable and falsifiable C. Based on a theory already
accepted D. Developed after the experiment E. Confirmed by multiple scientists before
use
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Testable and falsifiable
, RATIONALE: A valid scientific hypothesis must be testable through
experimentation and falsifiable — meaning it can potentially be proven wrong. This
distinguishes science from non-science.
Q4. What is the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific law?
A. A theory is proven; a law is unproven B. A law describes what happens; a theory
explains why it happens C. A theory is older than a law D. A law is based on a single
experiment; a theory requires many E. There is no difference between the two
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A law describes what happens; a theory explains why
it happens
RATIONALE: Scientific laws describe observable patterns (e.g., Newton's Laws),
while theories provide explanatory frameworks (e.g., the Theory of Evolution). Neither is
more "proven" than the other.
Q5. Which of the following is an example of a quantitative observation?
A. The liquid is blue B. The substance smells like vinegar C. The rock feels rough D.
The temperature is 37°C E. The flame is bright
CORRECT ANSWER: D. The temperature is 37°C
RATIONALE: Quantitative observations include measurable numerical data.
"37°C" is a specific measurement, unlike qualitative descriptions like color, smell, or
texture.
Q6. The metric prefix "kilo-" represents:
A. 10 B. 100 C. 1,000 D. 10,000 E. 1,000,000
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 1,000
RATIONALE: "Kilo-" means 1,000 (10³). Therefore, 1 kilometer = 1,000 meters,
and 1 kilogram = 1,000 grams.
Q7. In an experiment, the variable that is deliberately changed by the scientist is
called the:
,A. Dependent variable B. Control variable C. Independent variable D. Constant variable
E. Random variable
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Independent variable
RATIONALE: The independent variable is what the experimenter deliberately
manipulates. The dependent variable is what is measured in response, and controlled
variables are kept constant.
Q8. Which tool would best measure the volume of a liquid?
A. Ruler B. Balance scale C. Thermometer D. Graduated cylinder E. Barometer
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Graduated cylinder
RATIONALE: A graduated cylinder is specifically designed to measure liquid
volume accurately. Rulers measure length, balances measure mass, thermometers
measure temperature, and barometers measure pressure.
Q9. Scientific notation for 0.000456 is:
A. 4.56 × 10² B. 4.56 × 10⁻⁴ C. 45.6 × 10⁻³ D. 0.456 × 10⁻³ E. 4.56 × 10⁴
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 4.56 × 10⁻⁴
RATIONALE: Moving the decimal point 4 places to the right gives 4.56, and since
it's a small number, the exponent is negative: 4.56 × 10⁻⁴.
Q10. The accuracy of a measurement refers to:
A. How consistent repeated measurements are B. How close a measurement is to the
true value C. The smallest division on a measuring instrument D. The number of
significant figures recorded E. How quickly a measurement is made
CORRECT ANSWER: B. How close a measurement is to the true value
RATIONALE: Accuracy describes how close a result is to the actual (true) value.
Precision describes the consistency of repeated measurements regardless of whether
they are correct.
, Q11. Which of the following best describes precision?
A. A measurement that equals the true value B. Measurements that are close to each
other but not necessarily correct C. A measurement with many decimal places D. A
result verified by multiple scientists E. A measurement with no units
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Measurements that are close to each other but not
necessarily correct
RATIONALE: Precision refers to the reproducibility of measurements. Results can
be precise (consistent) without being accurate (close to the true value).
Q12. What does the SI unit "Pascal" measure?
A. Temperature B. Electrical charge C. Pressure D. Energy E. Frequency
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Pressure
RATIONALE: The Pascal (Pa) is the SI unit of pressure, defined as one Newton
per square meter (N/m²). It is named after Blaise Pascal.
Q13. Which of the following is NOT a base SI unit?
A. Meter B. Kilogram C. Second D. Newton E. Ampere
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Newton
RATIONALE: The Newton is a derived unit (kg·m/s²), not a base SI unit. The
seven base SI units include meter, kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin, mole, and
candela.
Q14. The number of significant figures in 0.00450 is:
A. 6 B. 5 C. 4 D. 3 E. 2
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 3
RATIONALE: Leading zeros are not significant. In 0.00450, the significant figures
are 4, 5, and 0 (trailing zero after decimal is significant), giving 3 significant figures.
Q15. A controlled experiment tests:
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE, VERIFIED EXAM
Q&A
WGU C165 — INTEGRATED PHYSICAL SCIENCES
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE | VERIFIED EXAM Q&A — 400 QUESTIONS
SECTION 1: SCIENTIFIC METHOD & MEASUREMENT
Q1. What is the correct order of steps in the scientific method?
A. Experiment, Hypothesis, Observation, Conclusion, Theory B. Theory, Observation,
Hypothesis, Experiment, Conclusion C. Observation, Hypothesis, Experiment,
Conclusion, Theory D. Hypothesis, Observation, Theory, Experiment, Conclusion E.
Conclusion, Hypothesis, Observation, Experiment, Theory
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Observation, Hypothesis, Experiment, Conclusion,
Theory
RATIONALE: The scientific method begins with observation, followed by forming a
hypothesis, testing through experimentation, drawing conclusions, and if repeatedly
validated, forming a theory.
Q2. Which SI unit is used to measure mass?
A. Newton B. Joule C. Kilogram D. Pound E. Liter
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Kilogram
RATIONALE: The kilogram (kg) is the base SI unit of mass. Newtons measure
force, joules measure energy, pounds are imperial units, and liters measure volume.
Q3. A hypothesis must be:
A. Proven correct before testing B. Testable and falsifiable C. Based on a theory already
accepted D. Developed after the experiment E. Confirmed by multiple scientists before
use
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Testable and falsifiable
, RATIONALE: A valid scientific hypothesis must be testable through
experimentation and falsifiable — meaning it can potentially be proven wrong. This
distinguishes science from non-science.
Q4. What is the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific law?
A. A theory is proven; a law is unproven B. A law describes what happens; a theory
explains why it happens C. A theory is older than a law D. A law is based on a single
experiment; a theory requires many E. There is no difference between the two
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A law describes what happens; a theory explains why
it happens
RATIONALE: Scientific laws describe observable patterns (e.g., Newton's Laws),
while theories provide explanatory frameworks (e.g., the Theory of Evolution). Neither is
more "proven" than the other.
Q5. Which of the following is an example of a quantitative observation?
A. The liquid is blue B. The substance smells like vinegar C. The rock feels rough D.
The temperature is 37°C E. The flame is bright
CORRECT ANSWER: D. The temperature is 37°C
RATIONALE: Quantitative observations include measurable numerical data.
"37°C" is a specific measurement, unlike qualitative descriptions like color, smell, or
texture.
Q6. The metric prefix "kilo-" represents:
A. 10 B. 100 C. 1,000 D. 10,000 E. 1,000,000
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 1,000
RATIONALE: "Kilo-" means 1,000 (10³). Therefore, 1 kilometer = 1,000 meters,
and 1 kilogram = 1,000 grams.
Q7. In an experiment, the variable that is deliberately changed by the scientist is
called the:
,A. Dependent variable B. Control variable C. Independent variable D. Constant variable
E. Random variable
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Independent variable
RATIONALE: The independent variable is what the experimenter deliberately
manipulates. The dependent variable is what is measured in response, and controlled
variables are kept constant.
Q8. Which tool would best measure the volume of a liquid?
A. Ruler B. Balance scale C. Thermometer D. Graduated cylinder E. Barometer
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Graduated cylinder
RATIONALE: A graduated cylinder is specifically designed to measure liquid
volume accurately. Rulers measure length, balances measure mass, thermometers
measure temperature, and barometers measure pressure.
Q9. Scientific notation for 0.000456 is:
A. 4.56 × 10² B. 4.56 × 10⁻⁴ C. 45.6 × 10⁻³ D. 0.456 × 10⁻³ E. 4.56 × 10⁴
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 4.56 × 10⁻⁴
RATIONALE: Moving the decimal point 4 places to the right gives 4.56, and since
it's a small number, the exponent is negative: 4.56 × 10⁻⁴.
Q10. The accuracy of a measurement refers to:
A. How consistent repeated measurements are B. How close a measurement is to the
true value C. The smallest division on a measuring instrument D. The number of
significant figures recorded E. How quickly a measurement is made
CORRECT ANSWER: B. How close a measurement is to the true value
RATIONALE: Accuracy describes how close a result is to the actual (true) value.
Precision describes the consistency of repeated measurements regardless of whether
they are correct.
, Q11. Which of the following best describes precision?
A. A measurement that equals the true value B. Measurements that are close to each
other but not necessarily correct C. A measurement with many decimal places D. A
result verified by multiple scientists E. A measurement with no units
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Measurements that are close to each other but not
necessarily correct
RATIONALE: Precision refers to the reproducibility of measurements. Results can
be precise (consistent) without being accurate (close to the true value).
Q12. What does the SI unit "Pascal" measure?
A. Temperature B. Electrical charge C. Pressure D. Energy E. Frequency
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Pressure
RATIONALE: The Pascal (Pa) is the SI unit of pressure, defined as one Newton
per square meter (N/m²). It is named after Blaise Pascal.
Q13. Which of the following is NOT a base SI unit?
A. Meter B. Kilogram C. Second D. Newton E. Ampere
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Newton
RATIONALE: The Newton is a derived unit (kg·m/s²), not a base SI unit. The
seven base SI units include meter, kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin, mole, and
candela.
Q14. The number of significant figures in 0.00450 is:
A. 6 B. 5 C. 4 D. 3 E. 2
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 3
RATIONALE: Leading zeros are not significant. In 0.00450, the significant figures
are 4, 5, and 0 (trailing zero after decimal is significant), giving 3 significant figures.
Q15. A controlled experiment tests:
