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. Jack stands in front of a plane mirror. If he is 5 feet away from the mirror, how far away from Jack is his image?

A. 2.5 feet
B. 3 feet
C. 4.5 feet
D. 5 feet

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When Jack stands in front of a plane mirror, his image appears the same distance behind the mirror as Jack is in front of it. Therefore, if Jack is 5 feet away from the mirror, his image will also appear 5 feet behind the mirror. The total distance from Jack to his image is the sum of these distances, which equals 10 feet. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the image distance is not half of the total distance but the same as the object's distance from the mirror.

3. Jon walks all the way around a rectangular park that is 1 km × 2 km. Which statement is true about Jon’s walk?

A. The displacement of his walk is 3 kilometers, and the distance traveled is 0 kilometers.
B. The displacement of his walk is 0 kilometers, and the distance traveled is 16 kilometers.
C. The displacement of his walk is 6 kilometers, and the distance traveled is 0 kilometers.
D. The displacement of his walk is 0 kilometers, and the distance traveled is 6 kilometers.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Jon walks all the way around a rectangular park that is 1 km × 2 km, which means he walks a total distance of 6 kilometers (1 km + 2 km + 1 km + 2 km = 6 km). However, the displacement of his walk is 0 kilometers because he starts and ends at the same point after completing the rectangular path around the park. Displacement refers to the change in position from the starting point to the ending point, regardless of the actual distance traveled. Choice A is incorrect because the total distance traveled by Jon is 6 kilometers, not 0 kilometers. Choice B is incorrect as the displacement is not 0 kilometers, and the distance traveled is 6 kilometers, not 16 kilometers. Choice C is incorrect because the displacement is 0 kilometers, and the distance traveled is 6 kilometers, not 0 kilometers.

4. For a compressible fluid subjected to rapid pressure changes, sound wave propagation becomes important. The speed of sound (c) depends on the fluid's:

A. Density (ρ) only
B. Viscosity (μ) only
C. Density (ρ) and Bulk modulus
D. Density (ρ) and Surface tension (γ)

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a compressible fluid, the speed of sound (c) depends on both the fluid's density (ρ) and Bulk modulus. Density affects the compressibility of the fluid, while Bulk modulus represents the fluid's resistance to compression and plays a crucial role in determining the speed of sound in a compressible medium. Viscosity and surface tension do not directly impact the speed of sound in a compressible fluid subjected to rapid pressure changes. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

5. What is the diameter of a loop if its radius is 6 meters?

A. 6 m
B. 12 m
C. 18 m
D. 36 m

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The diameter of a loop is calculated by multiplying the radius by 2. Since the radius is 6 meters, the diameter is 6 × 2 = 12 meters. Therefore, the correct answer is 12 meters. Choice A (6 m) is the radius, not the diameter. Choices C (18 m) and D (36 m) are incorrect as they do not reflect the correct calculation for determining the diameter of a loop.