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. 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.

3. Two objects attract each other with a gravitational force of 12 units. If you double the mass of both objects, what is the new force of attraction between them?

A. 3 units
B. 6 units
C. 24 units
D. 48 units

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses. When you double the masses of both objects, the force of attraction between them increases by a factor of 2 x 2 = 4. Therefore, the new force of attraction between the two objects will be 12 units x 4 = 24 units. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because doubling the mass results in a quadruple increase in force, not a linear one.

4. When a gas is compressed isothermally, we can say that:

A. The gas performs work on the surroundings, and its internal energy increases.
B. The gas performs work on the surroundings, and its internal energy decreases.
C. The surroundings perform work on the gas, and its internal energy increases.
D. The surroundings perform work on the gas, and its internal energy decreases.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When a gas is compressed isothermally, the surroundings perform work on the gas. In this process, since the temperature remains constant (isothermal), the internal energy of the gas does not change. Therefore, the correct answer is that the surroundings perform work on the gas, and its internal energy decreases. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they incorrectly describe the direction of work and the change in internal energy during an isothermal compression.

5. A wave in a rope travels at 12 m/s and has a wavelength of 2 m. What is the frequency?

A. 38.4 Hz
B. 6 Hz
C. 4.6 Hz
D. 3.75 Hz

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The frequency of a wave is calculated using the formula: frequency = speed / wavelength. In this case, the speed of the wave is 12 m/s and the wavelength is 2 m. Therefore, the frequency is calculated as 12 m/s / 2 m = 6 Hz. Choice A (38.4 Hz), Choice C (4.6 Hz), and Choice D (3.75 Hz) are incorrect as they do not result from the correct calculation using the given values.