Integrated Physical Science WGU

What is the scientific method?

A process used to investigate questions: observe, question, hypothesize, experiment, analyze, conclude

What is a hypothesis?

A testable explanation or prediction

What is the independent variable?

The variable you change

What is the dependent variable?

The variable you measure

What are controlled variables?

Factors kept the same

What are SI units?

Standard units used in science (meter, kilogram, second, etc.)

What is the formula for density?

Density = mass ÷ volume

What is matter?

Anything that has mass and takes up space

What are the states of matter?

Solid, liquid, gas, plasma

What are characteristics of a solid?

Fixed shape and fixed volume

What are characteristics of a liquid?

Fixed volume, flexible shape

What are characteristics of a gas?

No fixed shape or volume

What is an atom?

The smallest unit of an element

What charge does a proton have?

Positive

What charge does a neutron have?

Neutral

What charge does an electron have?

Negative

What does the atomic number represent?

The number of protons

What is the mass number?

The number of protons plus neutrons

What are rows on the periodic table called?

Periods

What are columns on the periodic table called?

Groups or families

Where are metals found on the periodic table?

Left side and center

Where are nonmetals found on the periodic table?

Right side

Where are metalloids found on the periodic table?

Along the zigzag line

What are alkali metals known for?

They are very reactive

What are noble gases known for?

They are nonreactive (inert)

What is a physical change?

A change in form but not substance

What is a chemical change?

A change that forms a new substance

What are signs of a chemical change?

Color change, gas produced, heat, precipitate

What is the formula for speed?

Speed = distance ÷ time

What is velocity?

Speed with direction

What is acceleration?

A change in velocity over time

What is Newton’s First Law?

An object stays at rest or in motion unless acted on by a force

What is Newton’s Second Law?

Force = mass × acceleration

What is Newton’s Third Law?

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction

What is gravity?

A force that pulls objects toward Earth

What does friction do?

It resists motion

What is net force?

The total force acting on an object

What is kinetic energy?

Energy of motion

What is potential energy?

Stored energy

What is the Law of Conservation of Energy?

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed

What is heat?

The transfer of thermal energy

What does temperature measure?

The average motion of particles

What is conduction?

Heat transfer through direct contact

What is convection?

Heat transfer by movement of fluids

What is radiation?

Heat transfer through waves

What is a mechanical wave?

A wave that needs a medium

What is an electromagnetic wave?

A wave that does not need a medium

What is a wave crest?

The highest point of a wave

What is a wave trough?

The lowest point of a wave

What is wavelength?

The distance between wave crests

What is frequency?

The number of waves per second

What are the three types of rocks?

Igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic

How do igneous rocks form?

From magma or lava

How do sedimentary rocks form?

By compaction and cementation

How do metamorphic rocks form?

By heat and pressure

What is weather?

Short-term atmospheric conditions

What is climate?

Long-term weather patterns

What kind of weather comes with high pressure?

Clear and dry weather

What kind of weather comes with low pressure?

Cloudy and rainy weather

What causes day and night?

Earth’s rotation

What causes seasons?

Earth’s revolution around the Sun

What does gravity do in space?

Keeps planets in orbit