which one has the lowest density

HESI A2

HESI A2 Physics Practice Test

1. Which of the following materials has the lowest density?

A. Water
B. Cork
C. Aluminum
D. Steel

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Cork has the lowest density among the given options. Cork is a lightweight material derived from the bark of cork oak trees and is known for its low density, making it float on water. Water, aluminum, and steel have higher densities compared to cork. Water is denser than cork because it has a consistent density of 1 g/cm³. Aluminum and steel are metals with much higher densities due to their atomic structures, making them denser than cork.

2. A pitcher throws a 45-g baseball at a velocity of 42 meters per second. What is the ball’s momentum?

A. 0.189 kg⋅m/s
B. 1.89 kg⋅m/s
C. 1.07 kg⋅m/s
D. 0.93 kg⋅m/s

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Momentum is calculated by multiplying mass (in kg) by velocity (in m/s). The mass of the baseball is 0.045 kg (45 grams converted to kg), and the velocity is 42 m/s. Momentum = 0.045 kg × 42 m/s = 1.89 kg⋅m/s. Therefore, the correct answer is 1.89 kg⋅m/s. Choice A is incorrect as it incorrectly converts the mass from grams to kg. Choice C and D are incorrect due to calculation errors.

3. 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.

4. What is the kinetic energy of a 500-kg wagon moving at 10 m/s?

A. 50 J
B. 250 J
C. 2.5 × 10^4 J
D. 5.0 × 10^5 J

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The formula for calculating kinetic energy is KE = 0.5 × mass × velocity². Given the mass of the wagon is 500 kg and the velocity is 10 m/s, we can substitute these values into the formula: KE = 0.5 × 500 kg × (10 m/s)² = 0.5 × 500 kg × 100 m²/s² = 25,000 J or 2.5 × 10⁴ J. Therefore, the kinetic energy of the 500-kg wagon moving at 10 m/s is 2.5 × 10⁴ J. Choice A (50 J) is incorrect because it is too low; Choice B (250 J) is incorrect as it does not match the correct calculation; Choice D (5.0 × 10^5 J) is incorrect as it is too high. The correct answer is C (2.5 × 10^4 J).

5. Four 5 V batteries are connected in series. What is the total voltage of the circuit?

A. 5.0 V
B. 10.0 V
C. 15.0 V
D. 20.0 V

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When batteries are connected in series, their voltages add up. Therefore, the total voltage of the circuit with four 5 V batteries connected in series will be 5 V + 5 V + 5 V + 5 V = 20 V. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the voltages of the batteries add up in series, resulting in a total of 20 V.