HESI A2
HESI A2 Physics Practice Test
1. What is the phenomenon by which light bends as it passes through a prism known as?
- A. Reflection
- B. Electrical conduction
- C. Diffraction
- D. Refraction
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Refraction is the phenomenon by which light bends as it passes through a prism or any other medium boundary. When light transitions from one medium to another, such as air to glass in the case of a prism, it changes speed and direction due to the change in the medium's refractive index. This change in speed causes the light to bend. Reflection, on the other hand, is the bouncing back of light when it hits a surface. Diffraction refers to the bending of light around obstacles or through narrow openings. Electrical conduction involves the movement of electrically charged particles through a conductor, which is unrelated to the bending of light.
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 5-cm candle is placed 20 cm away from a concave mirror with a focal length of 10 cm. What is the image distance of the candle?
- A. 20 cm
- B. 40 cm
- C. 60 cm
- D. 75 cm
Correct answer: C
Rationale: To find the image distance of the candle, we use the mirror formula: 1/f = 1/do + 1/di, where f is the focal length, do is the object distance, and di is the image distance. In this case, the focal length f = 10 cm and the object distance do = 20 cm. Substituting these values into the formula gives us 1/10 = 1/20 + 1/di. Solving for di, we get di = 60 cm. Therefore, the image distance of the candle is 60 cm. Choice A (20 cm) is incorrect because it represents the object distance, not the image distance. Choice B (40 cm) is incorrect as it does not consider the mirror formula calculation. Choice D (75 cm) is incorrect as it does not match the correct calculation based on the mirror formula.
4. A caterpillar starts moving at a rate of 14 in/hr. After 15 minutes, it is moving at a rate of 20 in/hr. What is the caterpillar’s rate of acceleration?
- A. 6 in/hr²
- B. 12 in/hr²
- C. 24 in/hr²
- D. 280 in/hr²
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Acceleration is the change in velocity over time. The change in velocity for the caterpillar is 20 in/hr - 14 in/hr = 6 in/hr. Since this change occurred over 15 minutes (or 0.25 hours), the acceleration can be calculated as (6 in/hr) / (0.25 hr) = 24 in/hr². Therefore, the caterpillar's rate of acceleration is 24 in/hr², which corresponds to choice C. Choice A, 6 in/hr², is incorrect as it does not account for the time factor and the correct calculation. Choice B, 12 in/hr², is incorrect as it doubles the correct acceleration value. Choice D, 280 in/hr², is significantly higher than the correct value, indicating a calculation error.
5. According to the zeroth law of thermodynamics, two systems are in thermal equilibrium if:
- A. They have the same pressure.
- B. They have the same volume.
- C. They have the same temperature.
- D. They are made of the same material.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: "They have the same temperature." The zeroth law of thermodynamics states that if two systems are each in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are also in thermal equilibrium with each other. This implies that they have the same temperature. Choice A is incorrect because pressure is not the determining factor for thermal equilibrium. Choice B is incorrect because volume alone does not dictate thermal equilibrium. Choice D is incorrect as the materials the systems are made of do not determine thermal equilibrium according to the zeroth law of thermodynamics.
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