HESI A2
HESI A2 Physics Questions
Question 1 of 9
According to the law of conservation of energy, energy:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Cannot be created or destroyed.' The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transformed from one form to another. This principle is a fundamental concept in physics and is supported by numerous observations and experiments. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not align with the law of conservation of energy. Energy is a conserved quantity, meaning its total amount remains constant over time, even though it can change forms.
Question 2 of 9
In fluid machinery, pumps are designed to primarily increase the fluid's:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pumps in fluid machinery are designed to primarily increase the fluid's pressure. This increase in pressure allows the fluid to flow through the system efficiently and overcome resistance. While pumps can also impact the velocity of the fluid to some extent, their main function is to elevate the pressure to facilitate the movement of the fluid within the system. Choice B is incorrect because pumps do not focus solely on increasing velocity. Choice C is incorrect as while pumps can affect velocity, their primary purpose is to boost pressure. Choice D is incorrect as pumps aim to increase either the pressure, velocity, or both.
Question 3 of 9
A 5-cm candle is placed 20 cm away from a concave mirror with a focal length of 10 cm. What is the image distance of the candle?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To find the image distance of the candle, we use the mirror formula: 1/f = 1/do + 1/di, where f is the focal length, do is the object distance, and di is the image distance. In this case, the focal length f = 10 cm and the object distance do = 20 cm. Substituting these values into the formula gives us 1/10 = 1/20 + 1/di. Solving for di, we get di = 60 cm. Therefore, the image distance of the candle is 60 cm. Choice A (20 cm) is incorrect because it represents the object distance, not the image distance. Choice B (40 cm) is incorrect as it does not consider the mirror formula calculation. Choice D (75 cm) is incorrect as it does not match the correct calculation based on the mirror formula.
Question 4 of 9
When the heat of a reaction is negative, which statement is true?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When the heat of a reaction is negative, it indicates that the reaction releases energy in the form of heat. This means that the products have lower energy levels compared to the reactants. Lower energy levels are associated with greater stability in chemical systems. Therefore, when the heat of a reaction is negative, the products are more stable due to having less energy than the reactants. Choice A, stating that the products have less energy and are less stable, is incorrect as lower energy levels imply greater stability. Choice B, stating that the products have more energy and are more stable, is incorrect as lower energy levels lead to higher stability. Choice D, stating that the products have more energy and are less stable, is incorrect as lower energy levels are associated with higher stability.
Question 5 of 9
A 10-kg object moving at 5 m/s has an impulse acted on it causing the velocity to change to 15 m/s. What was the impulse that was applied to the object?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Impulse is the change in momentum of an object. The initial momentum is calculated as 10 kg 5 m/s = 50 kgâ‹…m/s, and the final momentum is 10 kg 15 m/s = 150 kgâ‹…m/s. The change in momentum (impulse) is 150 kgâ‹…m/s - 50 kgâ‹…m/s = 100 kgâ‹…m/s. Therefore, the impulse applied to the object is 100 kgâ‹…m/s. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not reflect the correct calculation of the impulse based on the change in momentum of the object.
Question 6 of 9
If a force of 12 kg stretches a spring by 3 cm, how far will the spring stretch when a force of 30 kg is applied?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The extension of a spring is directly proportional to the force applied. In this case, the force increases from 12 kg to 30 kg, which is a 2.5 times increase. Therefore, the extension of the spring will also increase by 2.5 times. Given that the spring stretches 3 cm with a force of 12 kg, multiplying 3 cm by 2.5 gives us the extension of the spring when a force of 30 kg is applied, which equals 7.5 cm. Therefore, the correct answer is 7.5 cm. Choice A, 6 cm, is incorrect because it does not account for the proportional increase in force. Choice C, 9 cm, and Choice D, 10.5 cm, are incorrect as they overestimate the extension of the spring by not considering the direct proportionality between force and extension.
Question 7 of 9
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 8 of 9
Two 5-ohm resistors are placed in series and wired into a 100-V power supply. What current flows through this circuit?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a series circuit, the total resistance is the sum of the individual resistances. Therefore, the total resistance in this circuit is 5 ohms + 5 ohms = 10 ohms. Using Ohm's Law (V = I R), we can find the current (I) by dividing the voltage (V) by the total resistance (R). I = V / R = 100 V / 10 ohms = 10 A. Choice A (2 A) is incorrect because it does not account for the total resistance of the circuit. Choice C (20 A) and Choice D (50 A) are also incorrect as they provide values that are not consistent with the calculations based on the given values in the question.
Question 9 of 9
Which substance would be most affected by a change in temperature?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hydrogen gas would be most affected by a change in temperature because gases have a greater expansion or contraction in volume with changes in temperature compared to liquids or solids. When the temperature of hydrogen gas increases, its molecules gain kinetic energy and move faster, causing the gas to expand and its volume to increase. Conversely, when the temperature decreases, the gas molecules lose kinetic energy and move slower, leading to a decrease in volume. This property makes hydrogen gas highly sensitive to temperature changes compared to liquid nitrogen, salt crystals, or iron filings. Liquid nitrogen, salt crystals, and iron filings are less affected by temperature changes because their particles are closer together and have lower kinetic energy, resulting in minimal volume changes with temperature fluctuations.