which one has the lowest density

HESI A2

HESI A2 Physics Practice Test

1. Which of the following materials has the lowest density?

A. Water
B. Cork
C. Aluminum
D. Steel

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Cork has the lowest density among the given options. Cork is a lightweight material derived from the bark of cork oak trees and is known for its low density, making it float on water. Water, aluminum, and steel have higher densities compared to cork. Water is denser than cork because it has a consistent density of 1 g/cm³. Aluminum and steel are metals with much higher densities due to their atomic structures, making them denser than cork.

2. In a circuit with three same-size resistors wired in series to a 9-V power supply, producing 1 amp of current, what is the resistance of each resistor?

A. 9 ohms
B. 6 ohms
C. 3 ohms
D. 1 ohm

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a series circuit, the total resistance is the sum of the individual resistances. With a total voltage of 9 V and a current of 1 A, we can use Ohm's Law (V = I × R) to find the total resistance: Total resistance = 9 V / 1 A = 9 ohms. Since the resistors are identical and wired in series, the total resistance is evenly divided among the three resistors: Resistance of each resistor = 9 ohms / 3 = 3 ohms. Thus, the resistance of each resistor is 3 ohms. Therefore, the correct answer is 3 ohms. Choice A, 9 ohms, is incorrect because this would be the total resistance of all three resistors combined in series. Choice B, 6 ohms, is incorrect as it does not account for the equal distribution of resistance in a series circuit. Choice D, 1 ohm, is incorrect as it is too low for resistors in series with a total resistance of 9 ohms.

3. The drag force (F_d) experienced by an object moving through a fluid depends on:

A. Object's shape and size only
B. Fluid properties and object velocity
C. Depth of submersion only
D. Buoyant force acting on the object

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The drag force experienced by an object moving through a fluid depends on multiple factors, including the object's shape, size, velocity, and the fluid's properties such as viscosity and density. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because drag force is not solely determined by the object's shape and size, depth of submersion, or buoyant force acting on the object. The primary factors affecting drag force are the fluid properties and the object's velocity. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

4. Which characteristic does a transverse wave not have?

A. a compression
B. an amplitude
C. a frequency
D. a wavelength

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A transverse wave does not have a compression because transverse waves move perpendicular to the direction of the oscillation. In a transverse wave, the particles move up and down, causing crests and troughs, without creating compressions. Compressions are characteristic of longitudinal waves where the particles move parallel to the direction of the wave. The other choices (B, C, and D) are characteristics that transverse waves possess: amplitude is the maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium position, frequency is the number of complete oscillations a wave makes in a given time, and wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points in a wave that are in the same phase.

5. A circular running track has a circumference of 2,500 meters. What is the radius of the track?

A. 1,000 m
B. 400 m
C. 25 m
D. 12 m

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The radius of a circular track can be calculated using the formula: Circumference = 2 × π × radius. Given that the circumference of the track is 2,500 m, we can plug this into the formula and solve for the radius: 2,500 = 2 × π × radius. Dividing both sides by 2π gives: radius = 2,500 / (2 × 3.1416) ≈ 397.89 m. Therefore, the closest answer is 400 m, making option B the correct choice. Option A (1,000 m) is too large, option C (25 m) is too small, and option D (12 m) is significantly smaller than the calculated radius.