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. What is the main difference between a reversible and irreversible process in thermodynamics?
- A. Reversible processes involve heat transfer, while irreversible processes do not.
- B. Reversible processes occur instantaneously, while irreversible processes take time.
- C. Reversible processes can be run in both directions with the same outcome, while irreversible processes cannot.
- D. Reversible processes violate the first law of thermodynamics.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A reversible process is an idealized process that can be reversed without leaving any change in either the system or the surroundings. In contrast, irreversible processes cannot be reversed and often involve entropy production or dissipation. Choice A is incorrect because both reversible and irreversible processes can involve heat transfer. Choice B is incorrect as the speed of a process does not determine its reversibility. Choice D is incorrect because reversible processes do not violate the first law of thermodynamics; they comply with it by maintaining a balance between energy inputs and outputs. Therefore, the correct answer is C, as it accurately captures the main difference between reversible and irreversible processes in thermodynamics.
3. When a crane hoists a massive object at a constant velocity compared to lifting the same object gradually, the work done by the crane is:
- A. Less
- B. More
- C. Identical
- D. Dependent on the object's mass
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The work done by the crane is identical in both scenarios. Work is defined as the force applied over a distance. Since the force needed to lift the object is equal to its weight and the displacement is the same, the work done is identical, whether the object is lifted gradually or at a constant velocity. Choice A is incorrect because the work done is the same in both cases. Choice B is incorrect as well since the work done does not increase. Choice D is incorrect as the mass of the object does not affect the work done by the crane in this scenario.
4. Entropy (S) is a thermodynamic property related to the system's disorder. According to the second law of thermodynamics, in a spontaneous process:
- A. The total entropy of the system and surroundings increases.
- B. The total entropy of the system and surroundings decreases.
- C. The total entropy of the system remains constant.
- D. The total entropy of the surroundings increases, while the system's entropy decreases.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The second law of thermodynamics asserts that the entropy of an isolated system (or the combined system and surroundings) will always increase in a spontaneous process, reflecting an increase in disorder. Therefore, the correct answer is that the total entropy of the system and surroundings increases. Choice B is incorrect because entropy always tends to increase in a spontaneous process, as dictated by the second law of thermodynamics. Choice C is incorrect as entropy typically increases in natural processes. Choice D is incorrect because the second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of the system and surroundings always increases in a spontaneous process.
5. 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.
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