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HESI A2 physics practice questions

HESI A2 · physics

HESI A2 physics practice questions

You practice the motion, energy, and wave items some schools still score on HESI A2. Five of the 15 questions include the correct answer and rationale. The other ten keep answers in the study hub. Continue with the HESI A2 exam guide or more HESI A2 practice questions.

Five physics questions with answers

Cover the key. Write the first action. Then open the rationale and name why the other choices fail.

Question 1

Which conclusion can be drawn from Ohm's law?

  1. A. Voltage and current are inversely proportional when resistance is constant.
  2. B. The ratio of the potential difference between the ends of a conductor to current is a constant, R.
  3. C. Voltage is the amount of charge that passes through a point per second.
  4. D. Power (P) can be calculated by multiplying current (I) by voltage (V).
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — The ratio of the potential difference between the ends of a conductor to current is a constant, R.

Ohm's law states that the ratio of the potential difference (voltage) between the ends of a conductor to the current flowing through it is a constant. Mathematically, this is represented as V = I x R, where V is voltage, I is current, and R is the constant resistance. Therefore, the correct conclusion that can be drawn from Ohm's law is that the ratio of the potential difference between the ends of a conductor to current is a constant, denoted as R. This relationship is fundamental to understanding the behavior of electrical circuits and the effect of resistance on voltage and current. Choice A is incorrect because Ohm's law actually states that voltage and current are directly proportional when resistance is constant. Choice C is incorrect because voltage is not the amount of charge that passes through a point per second; rather, it is the electric potential energy per unit charge. Choice D is incorrect because although power (P) can be calculated by multiplying current (I) by voltage (V), this is not a conclusion directly drawn from Ohm's law.

Question 2

In physics, the relationship between acceleration and force is expressed in ___________.

  1. A. Newton's first law of motion
  2. B. Newton's second law of motion
  3. C. Newton's third law of motion
  4. D. none of Newton's laws of motion
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Newton's second law of motion

The relationship between acceleration and force is expressed in Newton's second law of motion. This law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on the object and inversely proportional to the object's mass. Mathematically, this relationship is represented as F = ma, where F is the force, m is the mass of the object, and a is the acceleration. Choice A, Newton's first law of motion, also known as the law of inertia, states that an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an external force. Choice C, Newton's third law of motion, states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, focusing on the interaction between two objects. Choice D is incorrect because the relationship between acceleration and force is indeed described by one of Newton's laws of motion, specifically the second law.

Question 3

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

  1. A. Radiation
  2. B. Conduction
  3. C. Convection within the coffee
  4. D. A combination of conduction and convection
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Conduction

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.

Question 4

The operating principle of a metal detector relies on:

  1. A. The static presence of a permanent magnet
  2. B. The electromotive force induced by a changing magnetic field
  3. C. The high electrical conductivity of most metals
  4. D. The unique thermal signature of metallic objects
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — The electromotive force induced by a changing magnetic field

The correct answer is B. Metal detectors work based on the principle of electromotive force induced by a changing magnetic field. When a metal object comes into contact with the detector's magnetic field, it disrupts the field, inducing a current in the metal that can be detected. This principle allows metal detectors to identify the presence of metallic objects without relying on the static presence of a permanent magnet, the high electrical conductivity of metals, or the thermal signature of the objects. Choice A is incorrect because metal detectors do not rely on a static magnet but on the interaction of metals with a changing magnetic field. Choice C is incorrect because while metals do have high electrical conductivity, this is not the principle underlying metal detectors. Choice D is incorrect because metal detectors do not operate based on the thermal signature of objects, but rather on their interaction with magnetic fields.

Question 5

According to Bernoulli's principle, when the flow velocity (v) of an incompressible fluid increases in a constricted pipe, the pressure (P) will:

  1. A. Depend on the specific fluid type
  2. B. Decrease
  3. C. Remain constant
  4. D. Increase
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Decrease

Bernoulli's principle states that in a constricted pipe with increasing flow velocity of an incompressible fluid, the pressure decreases. This is due to the conservation of energy, where the total energy of the fluid (sum of kinetic energy, potential energy, and pressure energy) remains constant along the flow path. As the fluid velocity increases, its kinetic energy increases at the expense of pressure energy, causing a decrease in pressure. Therefore, the correct answer is B. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. The pressure changes in the system are primarily driven by the fluid velocity and the conservation of energy principle, not by the specific fluid type, which is a constant. The pressure is not constant but decreases with increasing flow velocity due to the energy transformation occurring in the system. Lastly, the pressure does not increase; it decreases as the fluid velocity rises.

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Question 6

A 5-kg block is suspended from a spring, causing the spring to stretch 10 cm from equilibrium. What is the spring constant for this spring?

  1. A. 4.9 N/cm
  2. B. 9.8 N/cm
  3. C. 49 N/cm
  4. D. 50 N/cm
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Question 7

Which substance would be most affected by a change in temperature?

  1. A. Liquid nitrogen
  2. B. Salt crystals
  3. C. Hydrogen gas
  4. D. Iron filings
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Question 8

In a circuit with three same-size resistors wired in series to a 9-V power supply, producing 1 amp of current, what is the resistance of each resistor?

  1. A. 9 ohms
  2. B. 6 ohms
  3. C. 3 ohms
  4. D. 1 ohm
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Question 9

A 5-cm candle is placed 20 cm away from a concave mirror with a focal length of 15 cm. About what is the image height of the candle in the mirror?

  1. A. 30.5 cm
  2. B. 15.625 cm
  3. C. −15 cm
  4. D. −30.5 cm
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Question 10

A car, starting from rest, accelerates at 10 m/s² for 5 seconds. What is the velocity of the car after 5 seconds?

  1. A. 2 m/s
  2. B. 5 m/s
  3. C. 50 m/s
  4. D. The answer cannot be determined from the information given.
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Question 11

When the heat of a reaction is negative, which statement is true?

  1. A. The products have less energy and are less stable.
  2. B. The products have more energy and are more stable.
  3. C. The products have less energy and are more stable.
  4. D. The products have more energy and are less stable.
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Question 12

If the force acting on an object is doubled, how does its acceleration change?

  1. A. It remains the same.
  2. B. It is halved.
  3. C. It is doubled.
  4. D. It is eliminated.
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Question 13

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

  1. A. The displacement of his walk is 3 kilometers, and the distance traveled is 0 kilometers.
  2. B. The displacement of his walk is 0 kilometers, and the distance traveled is 16 kilometers.
  3. C. The displacement of his walk is 6 kilometers, and the distance traveled is 0 kilometers.
  4. D. The displacement of his walk is 0 kilometers, and the distance traveled is 6 kilometers.
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Question 14

What is the net force acting on the car?

  1. A. 450 N
  2. B. 700 N
  3. C. 1,500 N
  4. D. 6,300 N
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Question 15

A closed system undergoes a cyclic process, returning to its initial state. What can be said about the net work done (Wnet) by the system over the entire cycle?

  1. A. Wnet is always positive.
  2. B. Wnet is always negative.
  3. C. Wnet can be positive, negative, or zero.
  4. D. Wnet is equal to the total heat transferred into the system (dQ ≠ 0 for a cycle).
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About these HESI A2 physics questions

HESI A2 physics practice questions for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.

No. Nursier is independent practice. Register through the official path named on the HESI A2 exam guide.

The first five questions already include the rationale. Start full practice to unlock the remaining keys, missed-question review, and the rest of the bank.

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