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. When two long, parallel wires carry currents in the same direction, the wires will experience a force of:

A. An unpredictable force depending on wire material
B. Repulsion
C. No force
D. Attraction

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When two wires carry current in the same direction, they create magnetic fields that interact with each other. This interaction results in an attractive force between the wires due to the alignment of their magnetic fields. Choice A is incorrect because the force can be predicted based on the direction of the currents and the magnetic fields produced. Choice B is incorrect because when currents flow in the same direction, they do not repel each other. Choice C is incorrect because there is indeed a force present due to the interaction of magnetic fields, resulting in attraction between the wires.

3. Two balloons with charges of 5 μC each are placed 25 cm apart. What is the magnitude of the resulting repulsive force between them?

A. 0.18 N
B. 1.8 N
C. 10−3 N
D. 5 × 10−3 N

Correct answer: B

Rationale: To find the repulsive force between the two charges, we use Coulomb's law: F = k(q1 * q2) / r^2. Here, k is the Coulomb constant (8.99 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2), q1 and q2 are the charges (5 μC each), and r is the distance between the charges (25 cm = 0.25 m). Substituting these values into the formula: F = (8.99 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2)(5 x 10^-6 C)(5 x 10^-6 C) / (0.25 m)^2. Calculating this gives F = 1.8 N. Therefore, the magnitude of the resulting repulsive force between the two balloons is 1.8 N. Choice A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not correctly calculate the force using Coulomb's law.

4. 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.

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.