HESI A2
HESI A2 Physics Practice Test Questions
Question 1 of 9
What is the mathematical expression for work (W)?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct formula for work (W) is given by the equation W = F x d, where F represents force and d represents the displacement in the direction of the force. Work is calculated by multiplying the force applied by the distance over which the force is applied. Choice A (W = F / d) is incorrect as work is not calculated by dividing force by distance. Choice C (W = d / F) is incorrect because work is not calculated by dividing distance by force. Choice D (W = F^2 x d) is incorrect as work is not calculated by squaring the force and then multiplying by distance.
Question 2 of 9
When a dielectric material is inserted between the plates of a charged capacitor, what will happen to the capacitance?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When a dielectric material is inserted between the plates of a charged capacitor, the capacitance will increase. This is because the presence of a dielectric material reduces the electric field between the plates, allowing more charge to be stored for a given voltage, thus increasing the capacitance. Choice B is incorrect because adding a dielectric material increases capacitance. Choice C is incorrect because capacitance changes when a dielectric is added. Choice D is incorrect because the effect of a dielectric on capacitance is predictable.
Question 3 of 9
In a circuit with three same-size resistors wired in series to a 9-V power supply, producing 1 amp of current, what is the resistance of each resistor?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a series circuit, the total resistance is the sum of the individual resistances. With a total voltage of 9 V and a current of 1 A, we can use Ohm's Law (V = I R) to find the total resistance: Total resistance = 9 V / 1 A = 9 ohms. Since the resistors are identical and wired in series, the total resistance is evenly divided among the three resistors: Resistance of each resistor = 9 ohms / 3 = 3 ohms. Thus, the resistance of each resistor is 3 ohms. Therefore, the correct answer is 3 ohms. Choice A, 9 ohms, is incorrect because this would be the total resistance of all three resistors combined in series. Choice B, 6 ohms, is incorrect as it does not account for the equal distribution of resistance in a series circuit. Choice D, 1 ohm, is incorrect as it is too low for resistors in series with a total resistance of 9 ohms.
Question 4 of 9
The specific heat capacity of tin is 217 J/(g°C). Which of these materials would require about twice as much heat as tin to increase the temperature of a sample by 1°C?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Aluminum. The specific heat capacity of aluminum is 0.904 J/(g°C), which is approximately 4 times that of tin. For a material to require about twice as much heat as tin to increase the temperature by 1°C, it should have a specific heat capacity roughly double that of tin. Therefore, aluminum fits this criterion better than the other options. Gold has a much lower specific heat capacity than tin, so it would require less, not more, heat to increase the temperature by 1°C. Copper and Iron also have specific heat capacities lower than tin, making them incorrect choices for requiring twice as much heat as tin.
Question 5 of 9
What is the kinetic energy of a 500-kg wagon moving at 10 m/s?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The formula for calculating kinetic energy is KE = 0.5 mass velocity². Given the mass of the wagon is 500 kg and the velocity is 10 m/s, we can substitute these values into the formula: KE = 0.5 500 kg (10 m/s)² = 0.5 500 kg 100 m²/s² = 25,000 J or 2.5 10â´ J. Therefore, the kinetic energy of the 500-kg wagon moving at 10 m/s is 2.5 10â´ J. Choice A (50 J) is incorrect because it is too low; Choice B (250 J) is incorrect as it does not match the correct calculation; Choice D (5.0 10^5 J) is incorrect as it is too high. The correct answer is C (2.5 10^4 J).
Question 6 of 9
A hummingbird's wings beat at 25 beats per second. What is the period of the wing beating in seconds?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The period represents the time for one complete cycle of the wing beating. To calculate the period, you take the reciprocal of the frequency. In this case, with the wings beating at 25 beats per second, the period is 1/25, which equals 0.04 seconds. Therefore, choice A, 0.04 seconds, is correct. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not reflect the correct calculation of the period based on the given frequency of 25 beats per second.
Question 7 of 9
A 110-volt appliance draws 0 amperes. How many watts of power does it require?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When a 110-volt appliance draws 0 amperes, it means that the power consumption is zero as well. The formula to calculate power is P = V x I, where P is power in watts, V is voltage in volts, and I is current in amperes. Since the current is 0 amperes, the power required by the appliance is also 0 watts. Therefore, the correct answer is 0 watts. Choice B, 108 watts, is incorrect because there is no current drawn. Choice C, 112 watts, and choice D, 220 watts, are incorrect as well since the appliance is not consuming any power when drawing 0 amperes.
Question 8 of 9
A 25-cm spring stretches to 28 cm when a force of 12 N is applied. What would its length be if that force were doubled?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When the 12 N force stretches the spring from 25 cm to 28 cm, it causes a length increase of 28 cm - 25 cm = 3 cm. Therefore, each newton of applied force causes an extension of 3 cm / 12 N = 0.25 cm/N. If the force is doubled to 24 N, the spring would extend by 24 N 0.25 cm/N = 6 cm more than its original length of 25 cm. Thus, the new length of the spring would be 25 cm + 6 cm = 31 cm. Choice A, 31 cm, is the correct answer as calculated. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not consider the relationship between force and extension in the spring, leading to incorrect calculations of the new length.
Question 9 of 9
In an electrically neutral atom, the number of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In an electrically neutral atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons. Electrons carry a negative charge, protons carry a positive charge, and neutrons are neutral. Since the atom is electrically neutral, the positive charge of the protons must balance the negative charge of the electrons, making the numbers of electrons and protons equal. Choice B is incorrect because protons are not equal to neutrons in an atom. Choice C is incorrect because neutrons are not always greater than protons, and choice D is incorrect because electrons are not always less than protons in an atom.