why does potential energy increase as particles approach each other

HESI A2

HESI Exams Quizlet Physics

1. Why does potential energy increase as particles approach each other?

A. Attractive forces increase.
B. Attractive forces decrease.
C. Repulsive forces increase.
D. Repulsive forces decrease.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Repulsive forces increase. As particles approach each other, the distance between them decreases, causing the repulsive forces between the particles to increase. This increase in repulsive forces leads to an increase in potential energy as the particles resist being pushed closer together. Choices A and B are incorrect because attractive forces do not increase or decrease in this scenario. Choice D is incorrect because repulsive forces actually increase as particles get closer, leading to a rise in potential energy.

2. What are plasma membranes mostly made of?

A. Proteins
B. Carbohydrates
C. Lipids
D. Nucleotides

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Lipids. Plasma membranes are primarily composed of lipids, specifically phospholipids, which form a lipid bilayer. While proteins are also an essential component of plasma membranes, they are not the primary constituent. Carbohydrates are present on the outer surface of the membrane but are not the main structural component. Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA and are not the main constituents of plasma membranes.

3. A set of integers can be classified as positive, negative, or zero. Which of the following statements about multiplying positive and negative integers is ALWAYS true?

A. The product will always be positive.
B. The product will always be negative.
C. The product will depend on the specific positive and negative numbers used.
D. Positive and negative integers cannot be multiplied.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When multiplying a positive integer by a negative integer, the product will always be negative. This is a fundamental rule of arithmetic. The sign of the product is determined by the rule that states a positive number multiplied by a negative number results in a negative number. Therefore, the statement that the product will always be negative is always true when multiplying positive and negative integers. Choice A is incorrect because the product is not always positive when multiplying positive and negative integers. Choice C is incorrect because the product is not dependent on the specific numbers but on the signs of the integers being multiplied. Choice D is incorrect as positive and negative integers can be multiplied.

4. 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.

5. Select the word or phrase that is misplaced in the following sentence. In the apartment house, the car with the white roof and new tires belongs to our friends.

A. In the apartment house
B. with the white roof
C. and new tires
D. to our friends

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The phrase 'and new tires' is misplaced in the sentence as it disrupts the flow of information. It introduces unnecessary detail that does not directly contribute to the main point of the sentence, which is identifying the ownership of the car. Choices A, B, and D are all essential parts of the sentence that help convey the location of the car and its ownership, making them correctly placed within the sentence.