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 calculating an object’s acceleration, what must you do?

A. Divide the change in time by the velocity.
B. Multiply the velocity by the time.
C. Find the difference between the time and velocity.
D. Divide the change in velocity by the change in time.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When calculating an object's acceleration, you must divide the change in velocity by the change in time. Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity with respect to time. By determining the ratio of the change in velocity to the change in time, you can ascertain how quickly the velocity of an object is changing, thereby finding its acceleration. Choice A is incorrect because acceleration is not calculated by dividing time by velocity. Choice B is incorrect as it describes multiplying velocity by time, which does not yield acceleration. Choice C is incorrect as finding the difference between time and velocity is not a method to calculate acceleration.

3. A hummingbird’s wings beat at 25 beats per second. What is the period of the wing beating in seconds?

A. 0.04 s
B. 0.25 s
C. 0.4 s
D. 4 s

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The period represents the time for one complete cycle of the wing beating. To calculate the period, you take the reciprocal of the frequency. In this case, with the wings beating at 25 beats per second, the period is 1/25, which equals 0.04 seconds. Therefore, choice A, 0.04 seconds, is correct. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not reflect the correct calculation of the period based on the given frequency of 25 beats per second.

4. 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).

5. A 780-watt refrigerator is powered by a 120-volt power source. What is the current being drawn?

A. 660 amperes
B. 150 amperes
C. 6.5 amperes
D. 0.15 amperes

Correct answer: C

Rationale: To calculate the current being drawn by the refrigerator, you can use the formula: Current (I) = Power (P) / Voltage (V). Given that the power of the refrigerator is 780 watts and the voltage is 120 volts, you can plug these values into the formula to find the current: I = 780 watts / 120 volts = 6.5 amperes. Therefore, the current being drawn by the 780-watt refrigerator is 6.5 amperes. Choice A, 660 amperes, is incorrect as it is significantly higher than the correct answer. Choice B, 150 amperes, is also incorrect and too high. Choice D, 0.15 amperes, is incorrect as it is too low. The correct answer is 6.5 amperes.