which vehicle has the greatest momentum

HESI A2

HESI A2 Physics

1. Which vehicle has the greatest momentum?

A. A 9,000-kg railroad car traveling at 3 m/s
B. A 2,000-kg automobile traveling at 24 m/s
C. A 1,500-kg MINI Coupe traveling at 29 m/s
D. A 500-kg glider traveling at 89 m/s

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The momentum of an object is calculated by multiplying its mass by its velocity. The momentum formula is p = m × v, where p is momentum, m is mass, and v is velocity. Comparing the momentum of each vehicle: A: 9,000 kg × 3 m/s = 27,000 kg·m/s B: 2,000 kg × 24 m/s = 48,000 kg·m/s C: 1,500 kg × 29 m/s = 43,500 kg·m/s D: 500 kg × 89 m/s = 44,500 kg·m/s. Therefore, the glider (500-kg) traveling at 89 m/s has the greatest momentum of 44,500 kg·m/s, making it the correct choice. Options A, B, and C have lower momentum values compared to option D, proving that the 500-kg glider traveling at 89 m/s has the highest momentum among the given vehicles.

2. Capillarity describes the tendency of fluids to rise or fall in narrow tubes. This phenomenon arises from the interplay of:

A. Buoyancy and pressure differentials
B. Density variations and compressibility of the fluid
C. Viscous dissipation and inertial effects
D. Surface tension at the liquid-gas interface and intermolecular forces

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Capillarity occurs due to surface tension and intermolecular forces between the liquid and the walls of the narrow tube. These forces cause the liquid to rise or fall depending on the cohesion and adhesion properties. Surface tension at the liquid-gas interface and intermolecular forces are responsible for capillary action, making choice D the correct answer. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not directly relate to the specific forces involved in capillarity.

3. How do a scalar quantity and a vector quantity differ?

A. A scalar quantity has both magnitude and direction, and a vector does not.
B. A scalar quantity has direction only, and a vector has only magnitude.
C. A vector has both magnitude and direction, and a scalar quantity has only magnitude.
D. A vector has only direction, and a scalar quantity has only magnitude.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. The main difference between a scalar quantity and a vector quantity lies in the presence of direction. A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction, while a scalar quantity has magnitude only, without any specified direction. Examples of scalar quantities include distance, speed, temperature, and energy, whereas examples of vector quantities include displacement, velocity, force, and acceleration. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they incorrectly describe the characteristics of scalar and vector quantities.

4. An incandescent lamp consumes 60 Joules of energy per second. What is the power rating of this lamp?

A. 1 Watt (W)
B. 60 Watts (W)
C. 1/60 Joules
D. Impossible to determine without knowing the voltage

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Power is defined as energy consumed per unit time. If the lamp consumes 60 Joules of energy per second, the power rating is 60 Watts. Therefore, choice B is correct. Choice A ('1 Watt') is incorrect because the lamp consumes 60 Joules per second, not 1 Joule per second. Choice C ('1/60 Joules') is incorrect as it does not represent the power rating. Choice D ('Impossible to determine without knowing the voltage') is incorrect because power can be calculated using energy consumption per unit time without needing to know the voltage.

5. Given the four wires described here, which would you expect to have the greatest resistance?

A. 1 km of American wire gauge 1; diameter 7.35 mm
B. 1 km of American wire gauge 2; diameter 6.54 mm
C. 1 km of American wire gauge 3; diameter 5.83 mm
D. 1 km of American wire gauge 4; diameter 5.19 mm

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The wire with the greatest resistance is the one with the smallest diameter, as resistance is inversely proportional to cross-sectional area. Gauge 4 with a 5.19 mm diameter has the smallest diameter and, therefore, the greatest resistance. Choice A, B, and C have larger diameters compared to choice D, so they would have lower resistance values.