WGU Integrated Physical Sciences (MTC1) Exam - Topic 1 Question 3 Discussion

Actual exam question for WGU's WGU Integrated Physical Sciences (MTC1) exam

Question #: 3
Topic #: 1

[All WGU Integrated Physical Sciences (MTC1) Questions]

In which phase change is energy being released to the surroundings?

AGlass bottles becoming molten in a furnace

BIce melting in a cooler

CPuddles on the sidewalk drying up

DRaindrops forming in a cloud

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: D

Energy is released during phase changes from gas to liquid (condensation). When water vapor in a cloud condenses to form raindrops, it releases energy to the surroundings. This is because the gas phase (water vapor) has higher energy than the liquid phase (raindrops), and the transition to a lower energy state (liquid) releases the excess energy.

Integrated Physical Sciences materials on condensation and energy release.

Concepts of energy changes during phase transitions.

by Demetra at Nov 24, 2025, 06:47 PM

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Karon

2 months ago

I'm leaning towards D for sure.

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Lizette

2 months ago

Yes, but it still releases energy.

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Latrice

2 months ago

But that's evaporation, isn't it?

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Yolando

2 months ago

C seems right too. Puddles drying up.

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Rosendo

2 months ago

I agree, energy is released there.

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Truman

2 months ago

Not sure about D, seems like energy is used in that process too.

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Deja

3 months ago

Definitely D! Makes sense with how clouds work.

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Lasandra

3 months ago

I thought it was B at first, but that’s melting, not releasing energy.

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Ailene

3 months ago

D is the right answer! Energy is released when raindrops form.

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Gladys

4 months ago

D, for sure. Raindrops forming in a cloud is the classic phase change, complete with that lovely condensation energy.

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Gabriele

4 months ago

Haha, A is just a disaster waiting to happen. Who wants to deal with molten glass bottles? Not me!

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Alba

4 months ago

I'm going with C. Those puddles drying up are just releasing all that water back into the atmosphere. Evaporation is the way to go!

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Frank

4 months ago

I feel like I might be mixing things up, but I think D) could be right since it involves a change from gas to liquid.

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Vonda

4 months ago

I practiced a question like this before, and I think it was about evaporation releasing energy, which might relate to C) Puddles drying up.

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Roxane

4 months ago

I'm not entirely sure, but I remember something about melting absorbing energy, so it can't be B) Ice melting.

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Vallie

5 months ago

I think energy is released during condensation, so maybe it's D) Raindrops forming in a cloud?

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Bo

5 months ago

I'm pretty confident that B is the correct answer. When a solid like ice melts, it requires energy input to break the bonds and transition to a liquid state. This energy is then released to the surroundings.

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Lauran

5 months ago

I'm a bit confused. Aren't all phase changes associated with energy changes? I'll have to review my notes to make sure I understand the differences between the processes.

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Matthew

5 months ago

Definitely B. Ice melting releases energy to the surroundings, keeping the cooler nice and chilly.

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Fernanda

5 months ago

Okay, let me walk through this step-by-step. I know that in the melting process, the solid material absorbs energy to overcome the intermolecular forces and become a liquid. So B seems like the right answer.

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