a key parameter in fluid selection is specific gravity sg for a submerged object in a reference fluid often water sg object reference an object with

HESI A2

HESI A2 Physics

1. 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:

A. Experience a net buoyant force acting upwards
B. Experience a net buoyant force acting downwards
C. Remain neutrally buoyant
D. Require knowledge of the object's volume for buoyancy determination

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.

2. When light travels from air into a denser medium like glass, its speed:

A. Increases
B. Decreases
C. Remains constant
D. Becomes unpredictable

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When light travels from air into a denser medium like glass, its speed decreases. This is because the higher refractive index of the denser medium causes light to slow down as it propagates through the medium. Choice A is incorrect because the speed of light decreases in a denser medium. Choice C is incorrect because the speed of light changes when it enters a denser medium. Choice D is incorrect because the change in speed is predictable based on the refractive index of the medium.

3. A bicycle and a car are both traveling at a rate of 5 m/s. Which statement is true?

A. The bicycle has more kinetic energy than the car.
B. The bicycle has less kinetic energy than the car.
C. Both vehicles have the same amount of kinetic energy.
D. Only the car has kinetic energy.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Kinetic energy is determined by both the mass and the velocity of an object. While both the bicycle and the car are moving at the same velocity (5 m/s), the car has significantly more mass than the bicycle. As a result, the car has more kinetic energy than the bicycle, even though their speeds are identical. Therefore, choice B is correct. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not consider the influence of mass on kinetic energy. Choice A is incorrect as the car has more kinetic energy due to its greater mass. Choice C is incorrect because the vehicles have different masses. Choice D is incorrect as both the bicycle and the car possess kinetic energy.

4. Which of these objects has the greatest momentum?

A. A 1,250-kg car moving at 5 m/s
B. An 80-kg person running at 4 m/s
C. A 10-kg piece of meteorite moving at 600 m/s
D. A o.5-kg rock moving at 40 m/s

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Momentum is the product of mass and velocity. The car has the highest momentum because it has the largest mass and a significant velocity.

5. A 2,000-kg car travels at 15 m/s. For a 1,500-kg car traveling at 15 m/s to generate the same momentum, what would need to happen?

A. It would need to accelerate to 20 m/s.
B. It would need to add 500 kg in mass.
C. Both A and B
D. Either A or B

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Momentum is calculated as the product of mass and velocity. Since momentum is conserved in the absence of external forces, for the 1,500-kg car to generate the same momentum as the 2,000-kg car at 15 m/s, it would need to increase its velocity to compensate for the difference in mass. Accelerating to 20 m/s would achieve this without needing to change the mass of the car. Choice B is incorrect because adding mass is not necessary to match momentum in this scenario.