HESI A2 Physics

1. An airplane travels 500 miles northeast and then, on the return trip, travels 500 miles southwest. Which of the following is true?

• A. The displacement of the plane is 1,000 miles, and the distance traveled is 0 miles.
• B. The displacement of the plane is 1,000 miles, and the distance traveled is 1,000 miles.
• C. The displacement of the plane is 0 miles, and the distance traveled is 0 miles.
• D. The displacement of the plane is 0 miles, and the distance traveled is 1,000 miles.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The displacement of an object is the change in position from the starting point to the ending point, regardless of the path taken. In this case, the airplane returns to its original position after traveling 500 miles northeast and then 500 miles southwest. Therefore, the displacement is 0 miles. However, the distance traveled is the total path covered, which is 500 miles northeast plus 500 miles southwest, for a total of 1,000 miles. Choice A is incorrect because the displacement is not the sum of the distances traveled. Choice B is incorrect as it incorrectly states that both the displacement and the distance traveled are 1,000 miles. Choice C is incorrect as it states that both the displacement and the distance traveled are 0 miles, which is not the case.

2. A bicycle and a car are both traveling at a rate of 5 m/s. Which statement is true?

• A. The bicycle has more kinetic energy than the car.
• B. The bicycle has less kinetic energy than the car.
• C. Both vehicles have the same amount of kinetic energy.
• D. Only the car has kinetic energy.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Kinetic energy is determined by both the mass and the velocity of an object. While both the bicycle and the car are moving at the same velocity (5 m/s), the car has significantly more mass than the bicycle. As a result, the car has more kinetic energy than the bicycle, even though their speeds are identical. Therefore, choice B is correct. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not consider the influence of mass on kinetic energy. Choice A is incorrect as the car has more kinetic energy due to its greater mass. Choice C is incorrect because the vehicles have different masses. Choice D is incorrect as both the bicycle and the car possess kinetic energy.

3. A car, starting from rest, accelerates at 10 m/s² for 5 seconds. What is the velocity of the car after 5 seconds?

• A. 2 m/s
• B. 5 m/s
• C. 50 m/s
• D. The answer cannot be determined from the information given.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The velocity of an object can be calculated using the formula: final velocity = initial velocity + (acceleration × time). In this case, the car starts from rest, so the initial velocity is 0 m/s. Given that the acceleration is 10 m/s² and the time is 5 seconds, we can plug these values into the formula to find the final velocity: final velocity = 0 m/s + (10 m/s² × 5 s) = 0 m/s + 50 m/s = 50 m/s. Therefore, the velocity of the car after 5 seconds is 50 m/s. Choice A (2 m/s) and Choice B (5 m/s) are incorrect because they do not consider the acceleration the car undergoes over the 5 seconds, resulting in a final velocity greater than both. Choice D (The answer cannot be determined from the information given) is incorrect as the final velocity can be determined using the provided data and the kinematic equation.

4. 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?

• A. 10 kg⋅m/s
• B. 15 kg⋅m/s
• C. 20 kg⋅m/s
• D. 100 kg⋅m/s

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 kg⋅m/s, and the final momentum is 10 kg × 15 m/s = 150 kg⋅m/s. The change in momentum (impulse) is 150 kg⋅m/s - 50 kg⋅m/s = 100 kg⋅m/s. Therefore, the impulse applied to the object is 100 kg⋅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.

5. Which substance would be most affected by a change in temperature?

• A. Liquid nitrogen
• B. Salt crystals
• C. Hydrogen gas
• D. Iron filings

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.