HESI A2 Physics Practice Test

25 practice questions

Choose an answer, then check it under Show answer.

1. Question 1 of 25Easy

   A medical transport van travels a distance of 180 kilometers in 2.5 hours. What is the average speed of the vehicle?

   1. AA. 60 km/h
   2. BB. 90 km/h
   3. CC. 450 km/h
   4. DD. 72 km/h
   Show answer to question 1

   Answer: D. 72 km/h

   Average speed is calculated by dividing total distance traveled by the total time taken (180 km divided by 2.5 hours equals 72 km/h). The value of 450 km/h is incorrect because it mistakenly multiplies distance by time rather than dividing. The value of 90 km/h results from incorrectly dividing by 2 hours instead of the full 2.5 hours.

2. Question 2 of 25Easy

   According to Coulomb's law, what happens to the electrostatic force between two point charges if the distance separating them is doubled while their charges remain constant?

   1. AA. The force increases to two times its original value.
   2. BB. The force decreases to one-fourth of its original value.
   3. CC. The force decreases to one-half of its original value.
   4. DD. The force increases to four times its original value.
   Show answer to question 2

   Answer: B. The force decreases to one-fourth of its original value.

   Coulomb's law defines an inverse-square relationship between electrostatic force and separation distance, meaning that doubling the distance decreases the force by a factor of two squared, or one-fourth. Decreasing to one-half is incorrect because it reflects an inverse linear relationship rather than an inverse-square relationship.

3. Question 3 of 25Medium

   A crate with a mass of 20 kg rests on a flat, horizontal floor. A worker pulls upward on a rope attached to the crate with a vertical force of 50 N, but the crate remains at rest on the floor. Assuming the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s^2, what is the magnitude of the normal force exerted by the floor on the crate?

   1. AA. 50 N
   2. BB. 196 N
   3. CC. 246 N
   4. DD. 146 N
   Show answer to question 3

   Answer: D. 146 N

   The crate is in vertical equilibrium, meaning the sum of the upward forces (the normal force and the 50 N rope pull) must balance the downward gravitational force (20 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 = 196 N). Subtracting the 50 N upward pull from the 196 N downward weight yields a normal force of 146 N. An answer of 196 N is incorrect because it overlooks the upward pull on the rope, mistakenly assuming the normal force must always equal the object's full weight.

4. Question 4 of 25Hard

   In an electrical circuit obeying Ohm's law, the voltage applied across a component is doubled while its resistance is reduced to one-third of its original value. How does the resulting current compare to the initial current?

   1. AA. It decreases to two-thirds of the initial current.
   2. BB. It increases to 1.5 times the initial current.
   3. CC. It increases to five times the initial current.
   4. DD. It increases to six times the initial current.
   Show answer to question 4

   Answer: D. It increases to six times the initial current.

   Current is directly proportional to voltage and inversely proportional to resistance (I = V / R). Doubling the voltage multiplies current by two, and reducing resistance to one-third divides the denominator by three, which multiplies the overall current by an additional factor of three, resulting in a sixfold increase (2 divided by 1/3 equals 6). Decreasing to two-thirds of the initial current is a common error caused by multiplying the voltage factor by one-third instead of dividing by it.

5. Question 5 of 25Hard

   Which of the following wave phenomena can be exhibited only by transverse waves?

   1. AA. Interference
   2. BB. Polarization
   3. CC. Refraction
   4. DD. Diffraction
   Show answer to question 5

   Answer: B. Polarization

   Polarization requires wave oscillations to occur in planes perpendicular to the direction of propagation, which makes it a property exclusive to transverse waves. Longitudinal waves oscillate strictly along the line of wave travel and cannot be polarized. Phenomena such as diffraction, refraction, and interference occur in both transverse and longitudinal waves.

6. Question 6 of 25Medium

   A mechanical wave traveling through a wire has a period of 0.02 seconds and a wavelength of 4.5 meters. What is the speed of the wave?

   1. AA. 0.09 m/s
   2. BB. 225 m/s
   3. CC. 22.5 m/s
   4. DD. 450 m/s
   Show answer to question 6

   Answer: B. 225 m/s

   Wave speed is calculated by dividing wavelength by the period (4.5 m / 0.02 s), resulting in 225 m/s. The option 0.09 m/s is incorrect because it erroneously multiplies wavelength by the period instead of dividing by it.

7. Question 7 of 25Hard

   A ray of light strikes a flat reflective surface such that the angle between the incident ray and the mirror surface is 28 degrees. What is the angle of reflection?

   1. AA. 28 degrees
   2. BB. 124 degrees
   3. CC. 56 degrees
   4. DD. 62 degrees
   Show answer to question 7

   Answer: D. 62 degrees

   Angles of incidence and reflection are always measured relative to the normal line, which is perpendicular (90 degrees) to the mirror surface. Subtracting the 28-degree surface angle from 90 degrees gives an angle of incidence of 62 degrees, which means the angle of reflection is also 62 degrees. The option of 28 degrees confuses the glancing angle with the angle of incidence.

8. Question 8 of 25Easy

   A swimmer pushes backward against the pool water to propel herself forward. According to Newton's third law, what is the corresponding reaction force?

   1. AA. The downward force of gravity pulling on the swimmer
   2. BB. The forward force exerted by the water on the swimmer
   3. CC. The backward drag force of water friction on the swimmer
   4. DD. The upward buoyant force keeping the swimmer afloat
   Show answer to question 8

   Answer: B. The forward force exerted by the water on the swimmer

   The reaction force to the swimmer pushing backward against the water is the water pushing forward against the swimmer with equal magnitude. Other forces acting on the swimmer, such as the backward drag force or upward buoyant force, involve different interactions and do not constitute the third-law pair to the swimmer's backward thrust.

9. Question 9 of 25Easy

   Two resistors with values of 6 ohms and 12 ohms are connected in parallel across a direct current power source. What is the equivalent resistance of this circuit?

   1. AA. 6 ohms
   2. BB. 4 ohms
   3. CC. 18 ohms
   4. DD. 9 ohms
   Show answer to question 9

   Answer: B. 4 ohms

   The equivalent resistance of parallel resistors is found using 1/Req = 1/R1 + 1/R2, which gives 1/6 + 1/12 = 3/12 = 1/4, so Req is 4 ohms. The value of 18 ohms is incorrect because adding resistances directly applies to series circuits, not parallel circuits.

10. Question 10 of 25Medium

    A 1,200 kg vehicle traveling at 20 m/s comes to a complete stop over a duration of 4.0 seconds. What is the magnitude of the average braking force exerted on the vehicle?

    1. AA. 24,000 N
    2. BB. 96,000 N
    3. CC. 6,000 N
    4. DD. 1,200 N
    Show answer to question 10

    Answer: C. 6,000 N

    The impulse-momentum theorem states that average force multiplied by the time interval equals the change in momentum (F * Delta t = m * Delta v). The total momentum change required to stop the vehicle is 1,200 kg * 20 m/s = 24,000 kg*m/s, and dividing this value by 4.0 seconds yields an average force of 6,000 N. The value of 24,000 N incorrectly identifies the total impulse as the force without accounting for the duration over which the force was applied.

11. Question 11 of 25Hard

    A textbook rests on a passenger's lap while a car travels in a straight line at a constant speed of 45 mph. When the driver suddenly applies the brakes, the textbook slides forward off the lap. Which statement best explains this occurrence according to Newton's first law?

    1. AA. A forward force is generated by the car's deceleration that actively pushes the textbook forward.
    2. BB. The textbook continues its forward motion because no sufficient horizontal force acted to stop it.
    3. CC. The frictional force between the lap and the textbook increases and propels the textbook forward.
    4. DD. The braking force on the car tires creates an equal and opposite forward reaction force on the textbook.
    Show answer to question 11

    Answer: B. The textbook continues its forward motion because no sufficient horizontal force acted to stop it.

    According to Newton's first law, an object in motion continues at constant velocity unless acted on by a net external force. Because the friction between the lap and the textbook is insufficient to slow the book at the same rate as the car, the book simply continues moving forward due to its own inertia. A common misconception is that a new forward force pushes the object, but the forward motion is merely the continuation of the object's preexisting velocity.

12. Question 12 of 25Medium

    A physical therapist pulls a resistance sled with a tension force of 60 N applied at an angle of 60 degrees above the horizontal floor. The sled travels horizontally across the floor for a distance of 15 m. What is the total work done by the tension force on the sled?

    1. AA. 225 J
    2. BB. 900 J
    3. CC. 450 J
    4. DD. 779 J
    Show answer to question 12

    Answer: C. 450 J

    The work done by a force acting at an angle to displacement is given by W = F * d * cos(theta). Multiplying 60 N by 15 m and by cos(60 degrees), which is 0.5, results in 450 J. The value of 900 J is incorrect because it fails to account for the angle between the applied force and the direction of horizontal movement.

13. Question 13 of 25Hard

    A motorized crane lifts a 400 kg steel beam vertically at a constant speed of 1.5 m/s. If the crane operates at an efficiency of 80%, what total electrical power must be supplied to the motor? (Assume acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s^2).

    1. AA. 7,350 W
    2. BB. 5,880 W
    3. CC. 4,704 W
    4. DD. 8,120 W
    Show answer to question 13

    Answer: A. 7,350 W

    The mechanical power output required to lift the beam is equal to force times velocity: (400 kg * 9.8 m/s^2) * 1.5 m/s = 5,880 watts. Because the motor is 80 percent efficient, the input power must exceed the output power, requiring 5,880 watts divided by 0.80, which equals 7,350 watts. The value of 4,704 watts results from mistakenly multiplying the output power by 0.80 instead of dividing.

14. Question 14 of 25Easy

    In an isolated physical system, which statement correctly describes the conservation of momentum and kinetic energy during an inelastic collision?

    1. AA. Neither momentum nor kinetic energy is conserved.
    2. BB. Both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.
    3. CC. Kinetic energy is conserved, but momentum is not conserved.
    4. DD. Momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not conserved.
    Show answer to question 14

    Answer: D. Momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not conserved.

    In any isolated system, total momentum is always conserved because no net external force acts on the objects. In an inelastic collision, internal kinetic energy is partially converted into other energy forms such as heat or deformation, so kinetic energy is not conserved. Stating that both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved describes an elastic collision rather than an inelastic one.

15. Question 15 of 25Medium

    A 0.50 kg toy car starts from rest at the top of a frictionless ramp that is 10.0 m high. Assuming the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s^2, what is the kinetic energy of the car at the bottom of the ramp?

    1. AA. 49 J
    2. BB. 24.5 J
    3. CC. 14 J
    4. DD. 98 J
    Show answer to question 15

    Answer: A. 49 J

    Because friction is negligible, total mechanical energy is conserved, meaning the initial gravitational potential energy is fully converted into kinetic energy at the bottom. Calculating the potential energy at the top gives (0.50 kg)(9.8 m/s^2)(10.0 m) = 49 J, so the kinetic energy at the bottom must also be 49 J. The value of 14 J is incorrect because it confuses the magnitude of the final velocity (14 m/s) with the total kinetic energy.

16. Question 16 of 25Hard

    A mechanic applies a force of 40 N to the end of a 0.25 m wrench handle at an angle of 30 degrees relative to the length of the handle. What is the magnitude of the torque exerted on the bolt?

    1. AA. 10.0 N*m
    2. BB. 20.0 N*m
    3. CC. 8.7 N*m
    4. DD. 5.0 N*m
    Show answer to question 16

    Answer: D. 5.0 N*m

    Torque is calculated as the product of force, lever arm length, and the sine of the angle between them: 40 N multiplied by 0.25 m and sin(30 degrees), which equals 5.0 N*m. The value 10.0 N*m incorrectly assumes the force is applied perpendicularly at 90 degrees, while 8.7 N*m incorrectly uses the cosine of 30 degrees instead of the sine.

17. Question 17 of 25Medium

    An audio generator is adjusted so that the emitted sound wave has an increased amplitude while its frequency remains unchanged. What change will a listener perceive?

    1. AA. The sound will be perceived as louder with an unchanged pitch.
    2. BB. The sound will be perceived as faster in speed with an increased pitch.
    3. CC. The sound will be perceived as lower in pitch with an increased loudness.
    4. DD. The sound will be perceived as higher in pitch with an unchanged loudness.
    Show answer to question 17

    Answer: A. The sound will be perceived as louder with an unchanged pitch.

    Amplitude corresponds to the sound wave's energy, which the human auditory system perceives as loudness. Because frequency determines perceived pitch and frequency did not change, the pitch remains constant. A higher pitch would require an increase in frequency rather than amplitude.

18. Question 18 of 25Medium

    A 2.0 kg rock is dropped from rest from a height of 15.0 m above the ground. Assuming air resistance is negligible and the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s^2, what is the kinetic energy of the rock just before it strikes the ground?

    1. AA. 30 J
    2. BB. 147 J
    3. CC. 294 J
    4. DD. 588 J
    Show answer to question 18

    Answer: C. 294 J

    Under the law of conservation of mechanical energy, all initial gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy just before ground impact. Calculating the initial potential energy gives PE = m * g * h = 2.0 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 * 15.0 m = 294 J, which directly equals the final kinetic energy. A value of 147 J incorrectly incorporates a factor of one-half into the potential energy equation.

19. Question 19 of 25Hard

    A horizontal force of 75 N is applied to a 10 kg equipment box resting on a horizontal floor. The coefficient of static friction between the box and floor is 0.50, and the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.35. Using 9.8 m/s^2 for gravity, what is the resulting acceleration of the box?

    1. AA. 3.43 m/s^2
    2. BB. 7.50 m/s^2
    3. CC. 4.07 m/s^2
    4. DD. 2.60 m/s^2
    Show answer to question 19

    Answer: C. 4.07 m/s^2

    The maximum static friction is 0.50 * (10 kg * 9.8 m/s^2) = 49 N, which the 75 N applied force overcomes to set the box into motion. Once moving, kinetic friction opposes motion with a magnitude of 0.35 * 98 N = 34.3 N, yielding a net force of 75 N - 34.3 N = 40.7 N and an acceleration of 40.7 N / 10 kg = 4.07 m/s^2. The value 2.60 m/s^2 incorrectly subtracts static friction instead of kinetic friction after motion has begun.

20. Question 20 of 25Easy

    In the absence of air resistance, which statement best describes the acceleration of an object in free fall near Earth's surface?

    1. AA. It increases steadily as the falling speed increases.
    2. BB. It decreases as the object approaches the ground.
    3. CC. It remains constant regardless of the object's mass.
    4. DD. It is greater for heavier objects than for lighter objects.
    Show answer to question 20

    Answer: C. It remains constant regardless of the object's mass.

    Near Earth's surface, all objects in free fall experience a constant downward acceleration of approximately 9.8 m/s squared, regardless of their mass or speed. The misconception that heavier objects accelerate faster stems from everyday observations where air resistance impedes lighter objects more significantly.

21. Question 21 of 25Medium

    A hospital worker pushes an 80 kg patient bed with a forward horizontal force of 220 N. If rolling resistance exerts an opposing force of 60 N, what is the acceleration of the bed?

    1. AA. 2.00 m/s^2
    2. BB. 2.75 m/s^2
    3. CC. 0.75 m/s^2
    4. DD. 3.50 m/s^2
    Show answer to question 21

    Answer: A. 2.00 m/s^2

    Newton's second law states that acceleration equals the net force divided by mass (a = F_net / m). The net force is the applied force minus friction (220 N - 60 N = 160 N), and dividing 160 N by 80 kg yields an acceleration of 2.00 m/s^2. The value 2.75 m/s^2 results from failing to subtract the opposing frictional force.

22. Question 22 of 25Medium

    A 1,200 kg car travels around a flat, circular curve with a radius of 50 meters at a constant speed of 15 m/s. What magnitude of centripetal force is necessary to keep the car on this path?

    1. AA. 5,400 N
    2. BB. 2,700 N
    3. CC. 360 N
    4. DD. 10,800 N
    Show answer to question 22

    Answer: A. 5,400 N

    The centripetal force required is calculated using the formula Fc = (m * v^2) / r. Substituting the given values gives (1,200 kg * (15 m/s)^2) / 50 m = (1,200 * 225) / 50 = 5,400 N. The value of 360 N is incorrect because it results from neglecting to square the velocity term in the numerator.

23. Question 23 of 25Easy

    According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, if the distance between two spherical masses is doubled, what happens to the gravitational force between them?

    1. AA. It is reduced to one-fourth of its original value.
    2. BB. It increases by a factor of four.
    3. CC. It increases by a factor of two.
    4. DD. It is reduced to one-half of its original value.
    Show answer to question 23

    Answer: A. It is reduced to one-fourth of its original value.

    Gravitational force follows an inverse-square relationship with distance, meaning that doubling the distance results in one-fourth the original force. A common mistake is to assume a direct inverse relationship, which leads to the incorrect conclusion that the force is halved.

24. Question 24 of 25Medium

    A cart traveling east at 15 m/s accelerates uniformly to a speed of 35 m/s over an interval of 5.0 seconds. What is the magnitude of the cart's acceleration?

    1. AA. 7.0 m/s^2
    2. BB. 20.0 m/s^2
    3. CC. 4.0 m/s^2
    4. DD. 10.0 m/s^2
    Show answer to question 24

    Answer: C. 4.0 m/s^2

    Acceleration is defined as the change in velocity divided by the elapsed time: (35 m/s - 15 m/s) / 5.0 s = 20 m/s / 5.0 s = 4.0 m/s^2. The value of 7.0 m/s^2 incorrectly uses the final velocity without subtracting the initial velocity. The value of 10.0 m/s^2 results from mistakenly adding the velocities together.

25. Question 25 of 25Medium

    A stone is thrown horizontally from the edge of a cliff that is 19.6 meters high with an initial horizontal velocity of 15 meters per second. Assuming acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 meters per second squared and air resistance is negligible, how far from the base of the cliff does the stone land?

    1. AA. 15 meters
    2. BB. 30 meters
    3. CC. 45 meters
    4. DD. 60 meters
    Show answer to question 25

    Answer: B. 30 meters

    The time the stone remains in the air is determined entirely by vertical free fall from a height of 19.6 meters, which takes exactly 2 seconds according to the kinematic formula height equals one-half times gravity times time squared. Multiplying this 2-second flight time by the constant horizontal speed of 15 meters per second yields a horizontal distance of 30 meters. The option of 15 meters incorrectly assumes the projectile is in the air for only 1 second.

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