how do you determine the velocity of a wave

HESI A2

HESI A2 Physics

1. How do you determine the velocity of a wave?

A. Multiply the frequency by the wavelength.
B. Add the frequency and the wavelength.
C. Subtract the wavelength from the frequency.
D. Divide the wavelength by the frequency.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The velocity of a wave can be determined by multiplying the frequency of the wave by the wavelength. This relationship is given by the formula: velocity = frequency × wavelength. By multiplying the frequency by the wavelength, you can calculate the speed at which the wave is traveling. This formula is derived from the basic wave equation v = f × λ, where v represents velocity, f is frequency, and λ is wavelength. Therefore, to find the velocity of a wave, one must multiply its frequency by its wavelength. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Adding, subtracting, or dividing the frequency and wavelength does not yield the correct calculation for wave velocity. The correct formula for determining wave velocity is to multiply the frequency by the wavelength.

2. The specific heat capacity (c) of a material is the amount of heat transfer (Q) required to raise the temperature (ΔT) of a unit mass (m) of the material by one degree (typically Celsius). The relationship between these quantities is described by the equation:

A. Q = cΔT
B. Q = mcΔT
C. Q = c / mΔT
D. Q = ΔT / mc

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct equation relating heat transfer (Q), mass (m), specific heat capacity (c), and change in temperature (ΔT) is Q = mcΔT. This equation states that the heat transfer is equal to the product of the mass, specific heat capacity, and temperature change. Therefore, the correct answer is B, as it correctly represents this relationship. Choices C and D do not correctly represent the relationship between these quantities and are therefore incorrect.

3. When a junked car is compacted, which statement is true?

A. Its mass increases.
B. Its mass decreases.
C. Its density increases.
D. Its density decreases.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a junked car is compacted, its volume decreases while its mass remains the same. As a result, the car's density increases because density is mass divided by volume. Choice A is incorrect because the mass of the car remains the same. Choice B is incorrect because the mass does not decrease. Choice D is incorrect because the density increases as the volume decreases, not decreases.

4. Ocean waves build during a storm until there is a vertical distance from the high point to the low point of 6 meters and a horizontal distance of 9 meters between adjacent crests. The waves hit the shore every 5 seconds. What is the speed of the waves?

A. 1.2 m/s
B. 1.8 m/s
C. 2.0 m/s
D. 2.4 m/s

Correct answer: B

Rationale: To find the speed of the waves, we use the formula: speed = wavelength / period. The wavelength is the horizontal distance between adjacent crests, which is 9 meters in this case. The period is the time it takes for one wave to pass a fixed point, given as 5 seconds. Therefore, speed = 9 meters / 5 seconds = 1.8 m/s. Choice A (1.2 m/s) is incorrect because it miscalculates the speed. Choice C (2.0 m/s) and Choice D (2.4 m/s) are incorrect as they do not correctly calculate the speed using the provided data.

5. Jon walks all the way around a rectangular park that is 1 km × 2 km. Which statement is true about Jon’s walk?

A. The displacement of his walk is 3 kilometers, and the distance traveled is 0 kilometers.
B. The displacement of his walk is 0 kilometers, and the distance traveled is 16 kilometers.
C. The displacement of his walk is 6 kilometers, and the distance traveled is 0 kilometers.
D. The displacement of his walk is 0 kilometers, and the distance traveled is 6 kilometers.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Jon walks all the way around a rectangular park that is 1 km × 2 km, which means he walks a total distance of 6 kilometers (1 km + 2 km + 1 km + 2 km = 6 km). However, the displacement of his walk is 0 kilometers because he starts and ends at the same point after completing the rectangular path around the park. Displacement refers to the change in position from the starting point to the ending point, regardless of the actual distance traveled. Choice A is incorrect because the total distance traveled by Jon is 6 kilometers, not 0 kilometers. Choice B is incorrect as the displacement is not 0 kilometers, and the distance traveled is 6 kilometers, not 16 kilometers. Choice C is incorrect because the displacement is 0 kilometers, and the distance traveled is 6 kilometers, not 0 kilometers.