WGU C165 Integrated Physical Sciences
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)
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)
