HESI A2
HESI A2 Physics Practice Test
1. What is the phenomenon by which light bends as it passes through a prism known as?
- A. Reflection
- B. Electrical conduction
- C. Diffraction
- D. Refraction
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Refraction is the phenomenon by which light bends as it passes through a prism or any other medium boundary. When light transitions from one medium to another, such as air to glass in the case of a prism, it changes speed and direction due to the change in the medium's refractive index. This change in speed causes the light to bend. Reflection, on the other hand, is the bouncing back of light when it hits a surface. Diffraction refers to the bending of light around obstacles or through narrow openings. Electrical conduction involves the movement of electrically charged particles through a conductor, which is unrelated to the bending of light.
2. According to the law of conservation of energy, energy:
- A. Can be created or destroyed
- B. Can be created, but not destroyed
- C. Can be destroyed, but not created
- D. Cannot be created or destroyed
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Cannot be created or destroyed.' The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transformed from one form to another. This principle is a fundamental concept in physics and is supported by numerous observations and experiments. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not align with the law of conservation of energy. Energy is a conserved quantity, meaning its total amount remains constant over time, even though it can change forms.
3. In a scenario where a transverse wave transports energy from north to south, in what direction do the particles in the medium move?
- A. Only north to south
- B. Both northward and southward
- C. Only east to west
- D. Both eastward and westward
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In a transverse wave, particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction of energy transport. When the wave transports energy from north to south, the particles in the medium oscillate up and down, causing them to move both northward and southward. Choice A is incorrect because the particles move in both directions, not only from north to south. Choices C and D are incorrect as they mention directions that are not relevant to the scenario described in the question.
4. A concave mirror with a focal length of 2 cm forms a real image of an object at an image distance of 6 cm. What is the object's distance from the mirror?
- A. 3 cm
- B. 6 cm
- C. 12 cm
- D. 30 cm
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The mirror formula, 1/f = 1/do + 1/di, can be used to solve for the object distance. Given that the focal length (f) is 2 cm and the image distance (di) is 6 cm, we can substitute these values into the formula to find the object distance. Plugging in f = 2 cm and di = 6 cm into the formula gives us 1/2 = 1/do + 1/6. Solving for do, we get do = 6 cm. Therefore, the object's distance from the mirror is 6 cm. Choice A (3 cm), Choice C (12 cm), and Choice D (30 cm) are incorrect distances as the correct object distance is determined to be 6 cm.
5. A caterpillar starts moving at a rate of 14 in/hr. After 15 minutes, it is moving at a rate of 20 in/hr. What is the caterpillar’s rate of acceleration?
- A. 6 in/hr²
- B. 12 in/hr²
- C. 24 in/hr²
- D. 280 in/hr²
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Acceleration is the change in velocity over time. The change in velocity for the caterpillar is 20 in/hr - 14 in/hr = 6 in/hr. Since this change occurred over 15 minutes (or 0.25 hours), the acceleration can be calculated as (6 in/hr) / (0.25 hr) = 24 in/hr². Therefore, the caterpillar's rate of acceleration is 24 in/hr², which corresponds to choice C. Choice A, 6 in/hr², is incorrect as it does not account for the time factor and the correct calculation. Choice B, 12 in/hr², is incorrect as it doubles the correct acceleration value. Choice D, 280 in/hr², is significantly higher than the correct value, indicating a calculation error.
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