HESI A2 2023 READING COMPREHENSION EXAM

A nanometer is a billionth of a meter. A DNA molecule is 2 nanometers in diameter. Protein molecules are about 10 nanometers in diameter. A human hair is 100,000 nanometers in diameter. But what is a nanometer and how does it relate to technology? Nanotechnology is defined as the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, a scale at which unique properties of materials emerge that can be used to develop novel technologies and products. At the nanoscale, the physical, chemical, and biological properties of materials differ from the properties of matter either at smaller scales, such as atoms, or at larger scales that we use in everyday life such as millimeters or inches. Nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring, modeling, and manipulating matter only a few nanometers in size. Gold nanoparticles are made of the same material as in jewelry. But when light interacts with particles of gold, different colors are reflected. The different colors can be used in simple medical tests to indicate infection or disease. Metals such as copper become extremely rigid at the nanoscale, rather than bendable as in copper wires seen in everyday use. What is the major difference between matter at the nanoscale and matter at larger scales such as millimeters or inches? A. At the nanoscale, metals are bendable, and at larger scales they are rigid. B. Matter has different and special characteristics at the nanoscale. C. At the nanoscale, matter has the same properties as matter at the atomic level. D. There is no difference. Which claim from the passage best describes the benefits of nanotechnology? A. Scientists can develop novel technologies and products. B. Nanotechnology is defined as the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers. C. The different colors can be used in simple medical tests to indicate infection or disease. D. Unique properties of materials emerge. What is the author’s primary purpose in writing this essay? A. To explain how to utilize the nanoscale B. To review the conversion between the nanoscale and nanotechnology C. To advocate for the usage of more nanotechnology D. To describe nanotechnology and what it is