how do you determine the velocity of a wave

HESI A2

HESI A2 Physics

1. How do you determine the velocity of a wave?

A. Multiply the frequency by the wavelength.
B. Add the frequency and the wavelength.
C. Subtract the wavelength from the frequency.
D. Divide the wavelength by the frequency.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The velocity of a wave can be determined by multiplying the frequency of the wave by the wavelength. This relationship is given by the formula: velocity = frequency × wavelength. By multiplying the frequency by the wavelength, you can calculate the speed at which the wave is traveling. This formula is derived from the basic wave equation v = f × λ, where v represents velocity, f is frequency, and λ is wavelength. Therefore, to find the velocity of a wave, one must multiply its frequency by its wavelength. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Adding, subtracting, or dividing the frequency and wavelength does not yield the correct calculation for wave velocity. The correct formula for determining wave velocity is to multiply the frequency by the wavelength.

2. A 5-cm candle is placed 20 cm away from a concave mirror with a focal length of 15 cm. About what is the image height of the candle in the mirror?

A. 30.5 cm
B. 15.625 cm
C. −15 cm
D. −30.5 cm

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The magnification formula for a mirror is given by M = -f / (f - d), where f is the focal length of the mirror, and d is the object distance from the mirror. Using the mirror equation and magnification formula, the image height is found to be negative because it is inverted. Plugging in the values (f = 15 cm, d = 20 cm) into the formula gives M = -15 / (15 - 20) = -15 / -5 = 3. The negative sign indicates that the image is inverted. The image height is then calculated by multiplying the magnification by the object height: 3 * 5 cm = 15 cm. Therefore, the correct image height is approximately -15 cm. Choice A (30.5 cm) and Choice D (-30.5 cm) are incorrect as they do not consider the inversion of the image. Choice C (-15 cm) is also incorrect because it neglects the negative sign, which indicates the inversion of the image.

3. A 110-volt appliance draws 0 amperes. How many watts of power does it require?

A. 0 watts
B. 108 watts
C. 112 watts
D. 220 watts

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.

4. When calculating an object’s acceleration, what must you do?

A. Divide the change in time by the velocity.
B. Multiply the velocity by the time.
C. Find the difference between the time and velocity.
D. Divide the change in velocity by the change in time.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When calculating an object's acceleration, you must divide the change in velocity by the change in time. Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity with respect to time. By determining the ratio of the change in velocity to the change in time, you can ascertain how quickly the velocity of an object is changing, thereby finding its acceleration. Choice A is incorrect because acceleration is not calculated by dividing time by velocity. Choice B is incorrect as it describes multiplying velocity by time, which does not yield acceleration. Choice C is incorrect as finding the difference between time and velocity is not a method to calculate acceleration.

5. Two objects attract each other with a gravitational force of 12 units. If the distance between them is halved, what is the new force of attraction between the two objects?

A. 3 units
B. 6 units
C. 24 units
D. 48 units

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The gravitational force between two objects is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. When the distance is halved, the new force of attraction will be 12 units x (1/(0.5)^2) = 12 units x 4 = 24 units. Therefore, the correct answer is C. Choice A and B are incorrect as they do not consider the inverse square law of gravitational force. Choice D is incorrect as reducing the distance between the objects does not lead to a squared increase in force.