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HESI A2 physics practice questions, set 2

HESI A2 · physics

HESI A2 physics practice questions set 2

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

Fluids can be categorized based on their shear stress-strain rate relationship. An ideal fluid exhibits:

  1. A. Zero shear stress at any strain rate
  2. B. Linear relationship between shear stress and strain rate (Newtonian)
  3. C. Non-linear relationship between shear stress and strain rate (Non-Newtonian)
  4. D. High dependence of viscosity on temperature
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Zero shear stress at any strain rate

An ideal fluid, often referred to as an inviscid fluid, is a theoretical concept used in fluid mechanics to simplify calculations. It is characterized by having zero shear stress at any strain rate. In reality, such fluids do not exist, but they serve as a useful starting point for understanding fluid behavior in idealized situations. Choice B is incorrect because a linear relationship between shear stress and strain rate defines a Newtonian fluid, not an ideal fluid. Choice C is incorrect because a non-linear relationship between shear stress and strain rate characterizes Non-Newtonian fluids, not ideal fluids. Choice D is incorrect because the high dependence of viscosity on temperature is a characteristic seen in real fluids and does not define an ideal fluid.

Question 2

According to the Law of Universal Gravitation, the gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to what factor?

  1. A. the gravitational constant
  2. B. the distance between them
  3. C. the product of their masses
  4. D. the square of the distance between them
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — the product of their masses

According to the Law of Universal Gravitation, the gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses. The equation is: F = G (m₁ mâ‚‚) / r², where F is the gravitational force, G is the gravitational constant, m₁ and mâ‚‚ are the masses of the two objects, and r is the distance between them. Choice A is incorrect because the gravitational constant is a constant value. Choice B is incorrect because the distance between the objects affects the strength of the gravitational force inversely proportional to the square of the distance, not directly proportional. Choice D is incorrect as it represents the inverse square law, where the gravitational force decreases with the square of the distance between the objects.

Question 3

An airplane travels 500 miles northeast and then, on the return trip, travels 500 miles southwest. Which of the following is true?

  1. A. The displacement of the plane is 1,000 miles, and the distance traveled is 0 miles.
  2. B. The displacement of the plane is 1,000 miles, and the distance traveled is 1,000 miles.
  3. C. The displacement of the plane is 0 miles, and the distance traveled is 0 miles.
  4. D. The displacement of the plane is 0 miles, and the distance traveled is 1,000 miles.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: D — The displacement of the plane is 0 miles, and the distance traveled is 1,000 miles.

The displacement of an object is the change in position from the starting point to the ending point, regardless of the path taken. In this case, the airplane returns to its original position after traveling 500 miles northeast and then 500 miles southwest. Therefore, the displacement is 0 miles. However, the distance traveled is the total path covered, which is 500 miles northeast plus 500 miles southwest, for a total of 1,000 miles. Choice A is incorrect because the displacement is not the sum of the distances traveled. Choice B is incorrect as it incorrectly states that both the displacement and the distance traveled are 1,000 miles. Choice C is incorrect as it states that both the displacement and the distance traveled are 0 miles, which is not the case.

Question 4

How do you determine the velocity of a wave?

  1. A. Multiply the frequency by the wavelength.
  2. B. Add the frequency and the wavelength.
  3. C. Subtract the wavelength from the frequency.
  4. D. Divide the wavelength by the frequency.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Multiply the frequency by the wavelength.

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.

Question 5

What is the main difference between a reversible and irreversible process in thermodynamics?

  1. A. Reversible processes involve heat transfer, while irreversible processes do not.
  2. B. Reversible processes occur instantaneously, while irreversible processes take time.
  3. C. Reversible processes can be run in both directions with the same outcome, while irreversible processes cannot.
  4. D. Reversible processes violate the first law of thermodynamics.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — Reversible processes can be run in both directions with the same outcome, while irreversible processes cannot.

A reversible process is an idealized process that can be reversed without leaving any change in either the system or the surroundings. In contrast, irreversible processes cannot be reversed and often involve entropy production or dissipation. Choice A is incorrect because both reversible and irreversible processes can involve heat transfer. Choice B is incorrect as the speed of a process does not determine its reversibility. Choice D is incorrect because reversible processes do not violate the first law of thermodynamics; they comply with it by maintaining a balance between energy inputs and outputs. Therefore, the correct answer is C, as it accurately captures the main difference between reversible and irreversible processes in thermodynamics.

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Ten more HESI A2 physics questions

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Question 6

Psychrometrics is a branch of thermodynamics that deals with the properties of:

  1. A. Ideal gases.
  2. B. Magnetic materials.
  3. C. Mixtures of moist air and water vapor.
  4. D. Nuclear reactions.
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Question 7

The buoyant force, F_b, experienced by an object submerged in a fluid is given by:

  1. A. F_b = W, the object's weight
  2. B. F_b = W_d, the weight of the fluid displaced by the object
  3. C. F_b = ρ, the density of the fluid
  4. D. F_b = V, the object's volume
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Question 8

How might the energy use of an appliance be expressed?

  1. A. Power = energy time
  2. B. Time + energy = power
  3. C. Energy = power time
  4. D. Energy/power = time
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Question 9

If a force of 12 kg stretches a spring by 3 cm, how far will the spring stretch when a force of 30 kg is applied?

  1. A. 6 cm
  2. B. 7.5 cm
  3. C. 9 cm
  4. D. 10.5 cm
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Question 10

Which property of a substance does not change with a change in temperature?

  1. A. Mass
  2. B. Volume
  3. C. Phase
  4. D. Solubility
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Question 11

A 5-cm candle is placed 20 cm away from a concave mirror with a focal length of 10 cm. What is the image distance of the candle?

  1. A. 20 cm
  2. B. 40 cm
  3. C. 60 cm
  4. D. 75 cm
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Question 12

Which characteristic does a transverse wave not have?

  1. A. a compression
  2. B. an amplitude
  3. C. a frequency
  4. D. a wavelength
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Question 13

Certain non-Newtonian fluids exhibit shear thickening behavior. In this case, the fluid's viscosity:

  1. A. Remains constant with increasing shear rate
  2. B. Decreases with increasing shear rate (shear thinning)
  3. C. Increases with increasing shear rate
  4. D. Depends solely on the applied pressure
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Question 14

Entropy (S) is a thermodynamic property related to the system's disorder. According to the second law of thermodynamics, in a spontaneous process:

  1. A. The total entropy of the system and surroundings increases.
  2. B. The total entropy of the system and surroundings decreases.
  3. C. The total entropy of the system remains constant.
  4. D. The total entropy of the surroundings increases, while the system's entropy decreases.
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Question 15

In terms of electrical conductivity, semiconductors fall between

  1. A. Conductors and insulators
  2. B. Conductors and superconductors
  3. C. Insulators and dielectrics
  4. D. Superconductors and insulators
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About these HESI A2 physics questions

HESI A2 physics practice questions, set 2 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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