why are boats more buoyant in salt water than in fresh water
Logo

Nursing Elites

HESI A2

HESI A2 Physics

1. Why are boats more buoyant in salt water than in fresh water?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Salt increases the density of water, making saltwater more buoyant than freshwater. The higher density of saltwater provides more lift to a boat, enabling it to float more easily compared to in freshwater. Choice A is incorrect because salt does not affect the mass of the boats. Choice B is incorrect as salt does not increase the volume of water. Choice C is incorrect since salt affects the density of water, not the boats themselves. Therefore, the correct answer is that salt increases the density of the water, resulting in boats being more buoyant in salt water than in fresh water.

2. Which object below has the same density?

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.

3. A key parameter in fluid selection is specific gravity (SG). For a submerged object in a reference fluid (often water), SG = ρ_object / ρ_reference. An object with SG > 1 will:

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When the specific gravity (SG) of an object is greater than 1, it indicates that the object is denser than the reference fluid, which is often water. According to Archimedes' principle, an object with SG > 1 will experience a net buoyant force acting upwards when submerged in the fluid. This is because the buoyant force is greater than the weight of the object, causing it to float. Therefore, the correct answer is A: 'Experience a net buoyant force acting upwards.' Objects with SG < 1 would sink as they are less dense than the fluid, while objects with SG = 1 would be neutrally buoyant, neither sinking nor floating.

4. The speed of sound in dry air at 20°C is 343 m/s. If the wavelength of a sound wave is 5 m, what is its frequency?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The speed of sound (v) can be calculated using the formula: v = f × λ, where f is the frequency and λ is the wavelength. Given that the speed of sound is 343 m/s and the wavelength is 5 m, we can rearrange the formula to solve for frequency: f = v / λ = 343 / 5 = 68.6 Hz. Therefore, the correct frequency is 68.6 Hz. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not result from the correct calculation based on the given values.

5. Surface tension, γ, is a property of fluids arising from:

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Surface tension, represented by symbol γ, is caused by the cohesive forces between molecules in a liquid. These intermolecular forces, such as Van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, and dipole-dipole interactions, create a 'skin' at the surface of the liquid, giving rise to the property of surface tension. Gravitational attraction, viscous dissipation, and pressure differentials within the fluid do not directly contribute to surface tension. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

Similar Questions

Cavitation is a phenomenon observed in fluids when the pressure falls below its:
When calculating an object’s acceleration, what must you do?
Which conclusion can be drawn from Ohm’s law?
A 50-kg box of iron fishing weights is balanced at the edge of a table. Peter gives it a push, and it falls 2 meters to the floor. Which of the following statements is true?
Which of the following statements is true about a refrigerator?

Access More Features

HESI A2 Basic
$89/ 30 days

  • 3,000 Questions with answers
  • 30 days access

HESI A2 Premium
$129.99/ 90 days

  • Actual HESI A2 Questions
  • 3,000 questions with answers
  • 90 days access

Other Courses