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. Marilyn is driving to a wedding. She drives 4 miles south before realizing that she left the gift at home. She makes a U-turn, returns home to pick up the gift, and sets out again driving south. This time, she drives 1 mile out of her way to pick up a friend. From there, they continue 5 miles more to the wedding. Which of these statements is true about Marilyn’s trip?

A. The displacement of her trip is 6 miles, and the distance traveled is 6 miles.
B. The displacement of her trip is 14 miles, and the distance traveled is 14 miles.
C. The displacement of her trip is 8 miles, and the distance traveled is 14 miles.
D. The displacement of her trip is 6 miles, and the distance traveled is 14 miles.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Marilyn’s displacement is calculated based on her final position relative to the starting point. She drives 1 mile to pick up her friend, then 5 miles more to the wedding, totaling 6 miles after returning to her home. So, the correct displacement is 8 miles south from her starting point (4 miles to the gift + 4 miles return + 1 mile to the friend + 5 miles to the wedding). The total distance traveled is 14 miles (adding all the distances). Choice A is incorrect because it miscalculates the displacement. Choice B is incorrect as it overestimates both the displacement and distance traveled. Choice D is incorrect as it underestimates the displacement.

3. A closed system undergoes a cyclic process, returning to its initial state. What can be said about the net work done (Wnet) by the system over the entire cycle?

A. Wnet is always positive.
B. Wnet is always negative.
C. Wnet can be positive, negative, or zero.
D. Wnet is equal to the total heat transferred into the system (dQ ≠ 0 for a cycle).

Correct answer: C

Rationale: For a closed system undergoing a cyclic process and returning to its initial state, the net work done (Wnet) over the entire cycle can be positive, negative, or zero. This is because the work done is determined by the area enclosed by the cycle on a P-V diagram, and this area can be above, below, or intersecting the zero work axis, leading to positive, negative, or zero net work done. Choice A is incorrect because Wnet is not always positive; it depends on the specific path taken on the P-V diagram. Choice B is incorrect as Wnet is not always negative; it varies based on the enclosed area. Choice D is incorrect because Wnet is not necessarily equal to the total heat transferred into the system; it depends on the specifics of the cycle and is not a direct relationship.

4. Which of the following substances has the highest density?

A. Mist
B. Water
C. Steam
D. Ice

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Water has the highest density among the options provided. Density is a measure of mass per unit volume. In this case, water in its liquid form is denser than mist, steam, and ice. Ice has a lower density than water because its crystalline structure causes it to be less dense. Mist and steam are forms of water vapor, which are much less dense than liquid water. Therefore, the correct answer is water (choice B).

5. Which object below has the same density?

A. A block with a mass of 6.5 grams and a volume of 16.25 cm3
B. A block with a mass of 80 grams and a volume of 32 cm3
C. A block with a mass of 48 grams and a volume of 22 cm3
D. A block with a mass of 100 grams and a volume of 250 cm3

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Density is calculated by dividing the mass of an object by its volume. The density of object A is 6.5 g / 16.25 cm3 = 0.4 g/cm3. The density of object B is 80 g / 32 cm3 = 2.5 g/cm3. The density of object C is 48 g / 22 cm3 = 2.18 g/cm3. The density of object D is 100 g / 250 cm3 = 0.4 g/cm3. Objects A and D have the same density of 0.4 g/cm3. Therefore, the correct answer is A as it has the same density as object D, making them the only objects with a density of 0.4 g/cm3.