coulombs law has to do with

HESI A2

HESI A2 Physics Practice Test

1. What does Coulomb’s law relate to?

A. electrostatic interaction
B. rigid body motion
C. heat conduction
D. universal gravitation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Coulomb's law is a fundamental principle in physics that deals with the electrostatic interaction between charged particles. It states that the force between two charged objects is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This law is crucial in understanding and predicting the behavior of electrically charged objects. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because Coulomb's law specifically focuses on electrostatic interactions between charges, not rigid body motion, heat conduction, or universal gravitation.

2. Which of the following substances has the highest density?

A. Mist
B. Water
C. Steam
D. Ice

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Water has the highest density among the options provided. Density is a measure of mass per unit volume. In this case, water in its liquid form is denser than mist, steam, and ice. Ice has a lower density than water because its crystalline structure causes it to be less dense. Mist and steam are forms of water vapor, which are much less dense than liquid water. Therefore, the correct answer is water (choice B).

3. Capillarity describes the tendency of fluids to rise or fall in narrow tubes. This phenomenon arises from the interplay of:

A. Buoyancy and pressure differentials
B. Density variations and compressibility of the fluid
C. Viscous dissipation and inertial effects
D. Surface tension at the liquid-gas interface and intermolecular forces

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Capillarity occurs due to surface tension and intermolecular forces between the liquid and the walls of the narrow tube. These forces cause the liquid to rise or fall depending on the cohesion and adhesion properties. Surface tension at the liquid-gas interface and intermolecular forces are responsible for capillary action, making choice D the correct answer. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not directly relate to the specific forces involved in capillarity.

4. Two 5-ohm resistors are placed in series and wired into a 100-V power supply. What current flows through this circuit?

A. 2 A
B. 10 A
C. 20 A
D. 50 A

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.

5. Given the four wires described here, which would you expect to have the greatest resistance?

A. 1 km of American wire gauge 1; diameter 7.35 mm
B. 1 km of American wire gauge 2; diameter 6.54 mm
C. 1 km of American wire gauge 3; diameter 5.83 mm
D. 1 km of American wire gauge 4; diameter 5.19 mm

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The wire with the greatest resistance is the one with the smallest diameter, as resistance is inversely proportional to cross-sectional area. Gauge 4 with a 5.19 mm diameter has the smallest diameter and, therefore, the greatest resistance. Choice A, B, and C have larger diameters compared to choice D, so they would have lower resistance values.