a transverse wave does not have

HESI A2

HESI Exams Quizlet Physics

1. Which characteristic does a transverse wave not have?

A. a compression
B. an amplitude
C. a frequency
D. a wavelength

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A transverse wave does not have a compression because transverse waves move perpendicular to the direction of the oscillation. In a transverse wave, the particles move up and down, causing crests and troughs, without creating compressions. Compressions are characteristic of longitudinal waves where the particles move parallel to the direction of the wave. The other choices (B, C, and D) are characteristics that transverse waves possess: amplitude is the maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium position, frequency is the number of complete oscillations a wave makes in a given time, and wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points in a wave that are in the same phase.

2. 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.

3. When a hot cup of coffee is placed on a cold table, heat transfer primarily occurs through which process?

A. Radiation
B. Conduction
C. Convection within the coffee
D. A combination of conduction and convection

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a hot cup of coffee is placed on a cold table, heat transfer primarily occurs through conduction. Conduction is the process of heat transfer through direct contact between objects at different temperatures. In this scenario, the heat from the hot coffee cup is transferred to the cold table through direct contact, making conduction the primary mode of heat transfer. Choice A (Radiation) is incorrect because radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves, which is not the primary mode of heat transfer in this scenario. Choice C (Convection within the coffee) is incorrect because convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids, which is not the primary mode of heat transfer in this scenario. Choice D (A combination of conduction and convection) is incorrect because while convection may play a minor role due to air currents around the cup, the primary mode of heat transfer in this scenario is conduction.

4. 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.

5. Archimedes' principle explains the ability to control buoyancy, allowing:

A. Objects to sink regardless of density differences.
B. Airplanes to generate lift for flight.
C. Submarines to adjust their buoyancy for submergence and resurfacing.
D. Helium balloons to overcome gravity and float.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Archimedes' principle states that the upward buoyant force acting on an object submerged in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. Submarines control their buoyancy by adjusting the volume of water they displace, which allows them to submerge and resurface. Choice C is correct because it directly relates to the principle of buoyancy and how submarines utilize it. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the application of Archimedes' principle in controlling buoyancy for submergence and resurfacing.