which of the following describes a vector quantity

HESI A2

HESI A2 Physics

1. Which of the following describes a vector quantity?

A. 5 miles per hour due southwest
B. 5 miles per hour
C. 5 miles
D. None of the above

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A vector quantity is characterized by both magnitude and direction. In the provided options, choice A, '5 miles per hour due southwest,' fits this definition as it includes both the magnitude (5 miles per hour) and the direction (southwest), making it a vector quantity. Choices B and C only provide the magnitude without indicating any direction, hence they do not represent vector quantities.

2. What is the kinetic energy of a 500-kg wagon moving at 10 m/s?

A. 50 J
B. 250 J
C. 2.5 × 10^4 J
D. 5.0 × 10^5 J

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The formula for calculating kinetic energy is KE = 0.5 × mass × velocity². Given the mass of the wagon is 500 kg and the velocity is 10 m/s, we can substitute these values into the formula: KE = 0.5 × 500 kg × (10 m/s)² = 0.5 × 500 kg × 100 m²/s² = 25,000 J or 2.5 × 10⁴ J. Therefore, the kinetic energy of the 500-kg wagon moving at 10 m/s is 2.5 × 10⁴ J. Choice A (50 J) is incorrect because it is too low; Choice B (250 J) is incorrect as it does not match the correct calculation; Choice D (5.0 × 10^5 J) is incorrect as it is too high. The correct answer is C (2.5 × 10^4 J).

3. A 50-kg box of iron fishing weights is balanced at the edge of a table. Peter gives it a push, and it falls 2 meters to the floor. Which of the following statements is true?

A. Once the box hits the floor, it loses both its kinetic and potential energy.
B. The box had kinetic energy only when it was balanced at the edge of the table.
C. The box had both kinetic and potential energy after it fell.
D. Once the box hits the floor, it loses all its kinetic energy.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When the box is balanced at the edge of the table, it has potential energy due to its position above the ground. As Peter gives it a push, and it falls 2 meters to the floor, the box then has both kinetic energy (due to its motion) and potential energy (due to gravity). Therefore, the correct statement is that the box had both kinetic and potential energy after it fell. Option A is incorrect because the box retains its energy forms even after hitting the floor. Option B is incorrect as the box has kinetic energy both before and after falling. Option D is incorrect as the box still possesses kinetic energy even after hitting the floor.

4. The efficiency (η) of a heat engine is defined as the ratio of the net work done (Wnet) by the engine to the heat input (Qh) from the hot reservoir. The relationship is expressed as:

A. η = Wnet / Qh
B. η = Qh / Wnet
C. η = Wnet x Qh
D. η = (Wnet + Qh) / 2

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct formula for efficiency (η) of a heat engine is η = Wnet / Qh. Efficiency is defined as the ratio of the net work done by the engine (Wnet) to the heat input from the hot reservoir (Qh). This formula shows how effectively the engine converts heat into useful work, making choice A the correct answer. Choices B, C, and D present incorrect relationships between efficiency, net work done, and heat input, leading to their incorrectness.

5. Which of the following statements is true about a refrigerator?

A. It operates on a Carnot cycle and removes heat from a cold reservoir at a lower temperature.
B. It violates the first law of thermodynamics by creating cold.
C. It increases the total entropy of the universe.
D. It operates isothermally at both the hot and cold reservoirs.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A refrigerator operates on a Carnot cycle by transferring heat from a cold reservoir to a hot reservoir. Choice A is correct because a refrigerator removes heat from a cold reservoir at a lower temperature. Choice B is incorrect as a refrigerator does not violate the first law of thermodynamics but rather requires work input to transfer heat. Choice C is incorrect as a refrigerator does not increase the total entropy of the universe. Choice D is incorrect because a refrigerator does not operate isothermally at both the hot and cold reservoirs.