coulombs law has to do with

HESI A2

HESI A2 Physics Practice Test

1. What does Coulomb’s law relate to?

A. electrostatic interaction
B. rigid body motion
C. heat conduction
D. universal gravitation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Coulomb's law is a fundamental principle in physics that deals with the electrostatic interaction between charged particles. It states that the force between two charged objects is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This law is crucial in understanding and predicting the behavior of electrically charged objects. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because Coulomb's law specifically focuses on electrostatic interactions between charges, not rigid body motion, heat conduction, or universal gravitation.

2. Which of these substances is most compressible?

A. Gold
B. Water
C. Mercury
D. Methane

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Methane, a gas at room temperature and pressure, is the most compressible substance among the options provided. Gases are generally more compressible compared to liquids and solids because their particles have more space between them, allowing for greater compression when pressure is applied. Gold, water, and mercury, being solid and liquid substances, respectively, have particles arranged closely together, making them less compressible. Therefore, the correct answer is Methane.

3. A 10-kg object moving at 5 m/s has an impulse acted on it causing the velocity to change to 15 m/s. What was the impulse that was applied to the object?

A. 10 kg⋅m/s
B. 15 kg⋅m/s
C. 20 kg⋅m/s
D. 100 kg⋅m/s

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Impulse is the change in momentum of an object. The initial momentum is calculated as 10 kg × 5 m/s = 50 kg⋅m/s, and the final momentum is 10 kg × 15 m/s = 150 kg⋅m/s. The change in momentum (impulse) is 150 kg⋅m/s - 50 kg⋅m/s = 100 kg⋅m/s. Therefore, the impulse applied to the object is 100 kg⋅m/s. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not reflect the correct calculation of the impulse based on the change in momentum of the object.

4. When a small object floats on the surface of a liquid, the surface tension creates a:

A. Buoyant force acting upwards
B. Pressure difference causing sinking
C. Drag force opposing motion
D. Restoring force towards equilibrium

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Surface tension creates a restoring force that holds the object on the surface. The liquid's surface behaves like a stretched membrane, and when disturbed, it tends to return the object to its original position, creating a restoring force. The other choices are incorrect: A buoyant force acts on objects submerged in a fluid, not floating on the surface; pressure differences usually affect sinking objects, not floating ones; drag force is a resistance force that opposes motion, not related to surface tension.

5. In fluid machinery, pumps are designed to primarily increase the fluid's:

A. Pressure
B. Velocity only
C. Both pressure and velocity
D. Neither pressure nor velocity

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Pumps in fluid machinery are designed to primarily increase the fluid's pressure. This increase in pressure allows the fluid to flow through the system efficiently and overcome resistance. While pumps can also impact the velocity of the fluid to some extent, their main function is to elevate the pressure to facilitate the movement of the fluid within the system. Choice B is incorrect because pumps do not focus solely on increasing velocity. Choice C is incorrect as while pumps can affect velocity, their primary purpose is to boost pressure. Choice D is incorrect as pumps aim to increase either the pressure, velocity, or both.