WGU C165 Integrated Physical Sciences summer 2023
study guide with complete solution
Physics
The study of forces, energy, motion
Chemistry
The study of atoms and molecules, their structures, and their interactions to form
substances
Earth science
The study of the Earth's structure and composition, and processes that change Earth
essential attributes of science
Studies the natural world
Uses testable ideas
Relies on data from observations/experiments
Presented for evaluation by other scientists
Leads to further questions/research
variables
The changing quantities in an experiment
independent variable
What you change in an experiment on purpose
dependent variable
The variable that changes because of an independent variable
control variable
The variable(s) you don't want to study, need to be either eliminated or kept constant
observational study
When systems are observed as they appear in nature, researchers do not attempt to
change them
physical model
A model of a physical phenomenon, such as a planetary system
conceptual model
A model used to visualize things that cannot be seen, such as atoms
mathematical model
A model that treats physical objects/phenomena using mathematical methods
computer model
A detailed, complex model calculated by a computer
principle of falsification
Principle that only falsifiable statements can be subject to scientific inquiry
hypothesis
A testable statement about how something in nature works
law
A concise statement that is supported by scientific evidence and repeated experiments,
describes a widespread pattern in nature (what)
theory
A statement that explains a wide range of observations, supported by a large body of
scientific evidence (how/why)
, meter
Base unit of length
kilogram
Base unit of mass
second
Base unit of time
kelvin
Base unit of temperature
Derived units
What is produced when the base units/quantities are combined
Speed
The name for the distance traveled divided by an interval of time
Volume
Term for the amount of space an object occupies
Liquid displacement
Method of determining the volume of an object by measuring the amount of liquid it
displaces
direct relationship
A relationship between two variables where increasing one increases the other, and
vice versa
inverse relationship
A relationship between two variables where increasing one decreases the other, and
vice versa
Velocity
A combination of speed and direction
Acceleration
Term for any change in an object's speed and/or direction
Force
Term for a push or a pull with direction and magnitude. You may not feel it.
Net force
The sum of all forces acting on an object
balanced forces
Term for forces that combine to produce a net force of 0
Newton's first law
An object in motion remains in motion unless acted on by a net force
inertia
The tenancy to keep the same motion/velocity or remain at rest. Newton's first law
Newton's second law
Net force = mass x acceleration (F = ma)
Newton's third law
When one object exerts a force on a second object, the second object exerts a force of
the same magnitude in the opposite direction on the first object ("For every action, an
equal and opposite reaction")
friction
The force that opposes the motion of an object on which it acts
Kinetic friction
study guide with complete solution
Physics
The study of forces, energy, motion
Chemistry
The study of atoms and molecules, their structures, and their interactions to form
substances
Earth science
The study of the Earth's structure and composition, and processes that change Earth
essential attributes of science
Studies the natural world
Uses testable ideas
Relies on data from observations/experiments
Presented for evaluation by other scientists
Leads to further questions/research
variables
The changing quantities in an experiment
independent variable
What you change in an experiment on purpose
dependent variable
The variable that changes because of an independent variable
control variable
The variable(s) you don't want to study, need to be either eliminated or kept constant
observational study
When systems are observed as they appear in nature, researchers do not attempt to
change them
physical model
A model of a physical phenomenon, such as a planetary system
conceptual model
A model used to visualize things that cannot be seen, such as atoms
mathematical model
A model that treats physical objects/phenomena using mathematical methods
computer model
A detailed, complex model calculated by a computer
principle of falsification
Principle that only falsifiable statements can be subject to scientific inquiry
hypothesis
A testable statement about how something in nature works
law
A concise statement that is supported by scientific evidence and repeated experiments,
describes a widespread pattern in nature (what)
theory
A statement that explains a wide range of observations, supported by a large body of
scientific evidence (how/why)
, meter
Base unit of length
kilogram
Base unit of mass
second
Base unit of time
kelvin
Base unit of temperature
Derived units
What is produced when the base units/quantities are combined
Speed
The name for the distance traveled divided by an interval of time
Volume
Term for the amount of space an object occupies
Liquid displacement
Method of determining the volume of an object by measuring the amount of liquid it
displaces
direct relationship
A relationship between two variables where increasing one increases the other, and
vice versa
inverse relationship
A relationship between two variables where increasing one decreases the other, and
vice versa
Velocity
A combination of speed and direction
Acceleration
Term for any change in an object's speed and/or direction
Force
Term for a push or a pull with direction and magnitude. You may not feel it.
Net force
The sum of all forces acting on an object
balanced forces
Term for forces that combine to produce a net force of 0
Newton's first law
An object in motion remains in motion unless acted on by a net force
inertia
The tenancy to keep the same motion/velocity or remain at rest. Newton's first law
Newton's second law
Net force = mass x acceleration (F = ma)
Newton's third law
When one object exerts a force on a second object, the second object exerts a force of
the same magnitude in the opposite direction on the first object ("For every action, an
equal and opposite reaction")
friction
The force that opposes the motion of an object on which it acts
Kinetic friction
