HESI A2
HESI A2 Physics Questions
Question 1 of 5
A closed system undergoes a cyclic process, returning to its initial state. What can be said about the net work done (Wnet) by the system over the entire cycle?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For a closed system undergoing a cyclic process and returning to its initial state, the net work done (Wnet) over the entire cycle can be positive, negative, or zero. This is because the work done is determined by the area enclosed by the cycle on a P-V diagram, and this area can be above, below, or intersecting the zero work axis, leading to positive, negative, or zero net work done. Choice A is incorrect because Wnet is not always positive; it depends on the specific path taken on the P-V diagram. Choice B is incorrect as Wnet is not always negative; it varies based on the enclosed area. Choice D is incorrect because Wnet is not necessarily equal to the total heat transferred into the system; it depends on the specifics of the cycle and is not a direct relationship.
Question 2 of 5
Psychrometrics is a branch of thermodynamics that deals with the properties of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Psychrometrics is the study of the physical and thermodynamic properties of gas-vapor mixtures, especially mixtures of moist air and water vapor. This branch of thermodynamics focuses on the relationships between temperature, pressure, humidity, and other properties of these mixtures. Choice A, ideal gases, is incorrect because psychrometrics specifically deals with gas-vapor mixtures, not ideal gases. Choice B, magnetic materials, and Choice D, nuclear reactions, are unrelated to psychrometrics and thermodynamics, making them incorrect. Understanding psychrometrics is crucial in fields like heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) to design systems that effectively control air quality, comfort, and temperature.
Question 3 of 5
The operating principle of a metal detector relies on:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Metal detectors work based on the principle of electromotive force induced by a changing magnetic field. When a metal object comes into contact with the detector's magnetic field, it disrupts the field, inducing a current in the metal that can be detected. This principle allows metal detectors to identify the presence of metallic objects without relying on the static presence of a permanent magnet, the high electrical conductivity of metals, or the thermal signature of the objects. Choice A is incorrect because metal detectors do not rely on a static magnet but on the interaction of metals with a changing magnetic field. Choice C is incorrect because while metals do have high electrical conductivity, this is not the principle underlying metal detectors. Choice D is incorrect because metal detectors do not operate based on the thermal signature of objects, but rather on their interaction with magnetic fields.
Question 4 of 5
The frequency of an alternating current (AC) refers to the number of times it changes direction per unit time. This is measured in:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The frequency of an alternating current (AC) is measured in Hertz (Hz), which denotes the number of times the current changes direction per unit time. Hertz is the unit for frequency, while amperes measure current, volts measure voltage, and ohms measure resistance. Therefore, the correct answer is Hertz (Hz). Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because amperes measure current intensity, volts measure voltage potential, and ohms measure resistance, not the frequency of an alternating current.
Question 5 of 5
A solenoid is a long, tightly wound coil of wire that acts like a bar magnet when current flows through it. The magnetic field lines inside a solenoid are most similar to the field lines around:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The magnetic field lines inside a solenoid resemble the field lines around a permanent bar magnet. Both a solenoid and a bar magnet have north and south poles, resulting in a similar pattern of magnetic field lines. A single straight current-carrying wire produces a different field pattern because it has no coil structure like a solenoid. A horseshoe magnet has a unique field shape due to its pole arrangement, different from the uniform field pattern of a solenoid. A flat sheet conductor does not exhibit the same magnetic field characteristics as a solenoid, as it lacks the coil shape and alignment of a solenoid's magnetic field.