HS Sample Set 1, Round 5 from NSB
The conversion of solid CaSO₄ into solid CaO and SO₂ gas is an example of what class of chemical reaction: W) decomposition X) hydrolysis Y) combustion Z) single replacement
W: W) decomposition
X: X) hydrolysis
Y: Y) combustion
Z: Z) single replacement
Answer: W) W) decomposition
What is the oxidation number of chromium in the chromate ion, CrO₄²⁻?
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What is the most common term for the method Louis Pasteur used to create the first rabies vaccine?
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Which of the following BEST describes how Pasteur attenuated the rabies virus to create an effective vaccine: W) by heat-treating the purified virus X) by treating the live virus with a weak solution of formaldehyde Y) by passing the rabies infection through a successive series of rabbits Z) by purifying the protein from the viral capsids
W: W) by heat-treating the purified virus
X: X) by treating the live virus with a weak solution of formaldehyde
Y: Y) by passing the rabies infection through a successive series of rabbits
Z: Z) by purifying the protein from the viral capsids
Answer: Y) Y) by passing the rabies infection through a successive series of rabbits
The nucleus of what element is the same as an alpha particle?
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Name all of the following that would typically be considered to supply electromotive force: 1) transformers; 2) generators; 3) batteries; 4) conductors
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Simplify the following without the use of negative exponents: 6²·3⁵ ——— 10^(−24)·y·z^(−x·y)
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It takes 20 minutes for Janis to prepare lunch. When Kristen helps, it only takes 12 minutes. How many minutes would it take Kristen to prepare the same lunch if she worked alone?
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Which of the following is commonly accepted as the engine that most directly drives plate tectonic motion: W) mantle convection X) volcanic off-gassing Y) a molten iron core Z) gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun
W: W) mantle convection
X: X) volcanic off-gassing
Y: Y) a molten iron core
Z: Z) gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun
Answer: W) W) mantle convection
Although scientists are unable to obtain samples by drilling, they believe the predominant mineral in the mantle is: W) iron pyrite X) potassium feldspar Y) quartz Z) olivine
W: W) iron pyrite
X: X) potassium feldspar
Y: Y) quartz
Z: Z) olivine
Answer: Z) Z) olivine
What is the MOST accurate term for predicting values of data that are located between known data points on a line graph: W) extrapolation X) extension Y) interpolation Z) cheating
W: W) extrapolation
X: X) extension
Y: Y) interpolation
Z: Z) cheating
Answer: Y) Y) interpolation
Convert 0.001 grams per cubic millimeter into kilograms per cubic meter.
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The luminosity of a star is most directly related to the star’s: W) relative magnitude X) magnitude Y) distance from Earth Z) intrinsic brightness
W: W) relative magnitude
X: X) magnitude
Y: Y) distance from Earth
Z: Z) intrinsic brightness
Answer: Z) Z) intrinsic brightness
At which of the following locations would Betelgeuse most likely be found by a stargazer at mid-northern latitudes during January at about midnight: W) at the beginning of the handle of the Big Dipper X) at the zenith near the star Vega Y) about 10° north of Orion’s belt in the southern sky Z) in the northern sky just above the star Capella
W: W) at the beginning of the handle of the Big Dipper
X: X) at the zenith near the star Vega
Y: Y) about 10° north of Orion’s belt in the southern sky
Z: Z) in the northern sky just above the star Capella
Answer: Y) Y) about 10° north of Orion’s belt in the southern sky
Ca(OH)₂, NaOH, and Ba(OH)₂ are all: W) weak bases X) completely ionized in water Y) alkali halides Z) standard buffers
W: W) weak bases
X: X) completely ionized in water
Y: Y) alkali halides
Z: Z) standard buffers
Answer: X) X) completely ionized in water
Which of the following compounds is most SOLUBLE in water at 10 °C: W) KNO₃ X) CaSO₄ Y) BaSO₄ Z) AgBr
W: W) KNO₃
X: X) CaSO₄
Y: Y) BaSO₄
Z: Z) AgBr
Answer: W) W) KNO₃
Which of the following molecules do methanogens most often use as their final electron acceptor in their generation of energy: W) hydrogen X) carbon dioxide Y) methane Z) oxygen
W: W) hydrogen
X: X) carbon dioxide
Y: Y) methane
Z: Z) oxygen
Answer: X) X) carbon dioxide
What is the general biological term for organisms that synthesize organic molecules from inorganic molecules using light as an energy source?
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Which of the following BEST explains why gravitational acceleration on Earth varies from one place to another: W) the Sun’s gravitational pull varies irregularly X) the Earth is not a uniform sphere Y) the Moon and the Sun exert a complex combination of gravitational pulls on the Earth Z) the changing angular momentum of the Earth varies during its yearly orbit
W: W) the Sun’s gravitational pull varies irregularly
X: X) the Earth is not a uniform sphere
Y: Y) the Moon and the Sun exert a complex combination of gravitational pulls on the Earth
Z: Z) the changing angular momentum of the Earth varies during its yearly orbit
Answer: X) X) the Earth is not a uniform sphere
If a wave has a frequency of 500 hertz, what is its period, in seconds?
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In a circle with diameter AB, if the radius is 6 cm, find the length, in centimeters and in terms of π, of the arc AB.
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Find the area, in square centimeters, of a rhombus with a diagonal of 6 cm and a side of 5 cm.
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Which of the following is NOT true: W) Mount Everest is a volcanic mountain X) Shield volcanoes have surface slopes of only a few degrees Y) The depression on the top of a typical composite volcano is known as a crater Z) Mount Kilimanjaro is a stratovolcano
W: W) Mount Everest is a volcanic mountain
X: X) Shield volcanoes have surface slopes of only a few degrees
Y: Y) The depression on the top of a typical composite volcano is known as a crater
Z: Z) Mount Kilimanjaro is a stratovolcano
Answer: W) W) Mount Everest is a volcanic mountain
Which of the following are likely to form in the crater of a stratovolcano following a catastrophic eruption, such as at Mount St. Helens: W) cinder cones X) lava domes Y) flood basalts Z) spatter cones
W: W) cinder cones
X: X) lava domes
Y: Y) flood basalts
Z: Z) spatter cones
Answer: X) X) lava domes
Biomagnification is MOST likely to result in the concentration of toxic chemicals in: W) chemoautotrophs X) eutrophic lakes Y) primary consumers Z) primary producers
W: W) chemoautotrophs
X: X) eutrophic lakes
Y: Y) primary consumers
Z: Z) primary producers
Answer: Y) Y) primary consumers
HDPE is a tough plastic often used for the manufacture of toys. What monomer is the primary repeating unit in this polymer?
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The formation of what is referred to as “metallic hydrogen” on some of our solar system’s planets is driven by what basic force?
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Which of the following would typically appear to be the farthest away from the ecliptic: W) the planet Mars X) the constellation Leo Y) the Sun Z) the constellation Cassiopeia
W: W) the planet Mars
X: X) the constellation Leo
Y: Y) the Sun
Z: Z) the constellation Cassiopeia
Answer: Z) Z) the constellation Cassiopeia
The electronegativity of oxygen is 3.4 and the electronegativity of calcium is 1.0. Which of the following best describes the formation of calcium oxide: W) 2 electrons are transferred from calcium to oxygen X) 2 electrons are transferred from oxygen to calcium Y) 2 electrons are shared between calcium and oxygen Z) 1 electron is shared and another is transferred from calcium to oxygen
W: W) 2 electrons are transferred from calcium to oxygen
X: X) 2 electrons are transferred from oxygen to calcium
Y: Y) 2 electrons are shared between calcium and oxygen
Z: Z) 1 electron is shared and another is transferred from calcium to oxygen
Answer: W) W) 2 electrons are transferred from calcium to oxygen
What is the chemical formula for the conjugate base of HNO₂?
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By words or numbers, name all of the following three functions that meiosis accomplishes: 1) reducing the copies of alleles in the ovum and sperm 2) reducing the numbers of chromosomes in the ovum and sperm 3) increasing genetic diversity through chromosomal exchange events
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Which one of the basic three plant cell types has irregularly thickened cell walls, retains its cytoplasm, and functions in structural support?
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Which of the following is the part of an electric motor that functions as an electromagnet: W) ballast X) relay Y) armature Z) brushes
W: W) ballast
X: X) relay
Y: Y) armature
Z: Z) brushes
Answer: Y) Y) armature
Using g rounded to the first decimal place, how much does an 80-kilogram person weigh on Earth? (Give your answer in proper SI units.)
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A jar of 100 marbles contains only two colors, red and blue. If there are 13 red marbles for every 12 blue marbles, how many blue marbles are in the jar?
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Solve the following inequality for x: |3 – 2x| ≤ 7.
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Which of the following is igneous and pyroclastic in nature, and is of variable composition: W) pumice X) obsidian Y) gabbro Z) tuff
W: W) pumice
X: X) obsidian
Y: Y) gabbro
Z: Z) tuff
Answer: Z) Z) tuff
Which of the following are clastic in origin: W) chalk X) coal Y) gypsum Z) sandstone
W: W) chalk
X: X) coal
Y: Y) gypsum
Z: Z) sandstone
Answer: Z) Z) sandstone
Which of the following is an all-but-obsolete battery technology stopped by government regulations because of toxicity issues: W) nickel-cadmium cells X) mercury-oxide cells Y) zinc-air cells Z) aluminum-air cells
W: W) nickel-cadmium cells
X: X) mercury-oxide cells
Y: Y) zinc-air cells
Z: Z) aluminum-air cells
Answer: X) X) mercury-oxide cells
Which of the following best explains why carbon monoxide is very harmful to animals: W) it binds very strongly to hemoglobin X) it is an irritant to the alveolar lining Y) it is a highly potent neurotoxin Z) it causes a severe allergic reaction
W: W) it binds very strongly to hemoglobin
X: X) it is an irritant to the alveolar lining
Y: Y) it is a highly potent neurotoxin
Z: Z) it causes a severe allergic reaction
Answer: W) W) it binds very strongly to hemoglobin
What terrestrial planet has the most elliptical orbit?
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Although you might expect this planet to be visible to the unaided eye because of its maximum apparent magnitude of about +5.8, which planet is unlikely to be seen by most stargazers since it requires nearly ideal viewing conditions?
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Which of the following ions does NOT have a noble-gas electron configuration in ionic compounds: W) Ca²⁺ X) F⁻ Y) Al³⁺ Z) Na⁻
W: W) Ca²⁺
X: X) F⁻
Y: Y) Al³⁺
Z: Z) Na⁻
Answer: Z) Z) Na⁻
Charles’s law is particularly useful in explaining which of the following: W) dry air is more dense than humid air X) CO₂ escapes from a bottle of soda when opened Y) the change in enthalpy when N₂ and O₂ react to form NO₂ Z) a hot-air balloon rises when the air in the balloon is heated
W: W) dry air is more dense than humid air
X: X) CO₂ escapes from a bottle of soda when opened
Y: Y) the change in enthalpy when N₂ and O₂ react to form NO₂
Z: Z) a hot-air balloon rises when the air in the balloon is heated
Answer: Z) Z) a hot-air balloon rises when the air in the balloon is heated
What are the common names for the two functional groups that combine to form a peptide bond?
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What two ions are most directly involved with the conduction of a nerve-cell message down an axon?
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A boat’s velocity has a northward component of 15 km/h and an eastward component of 10 km/h. Which of the following BEST represents the direction of the boat’s motion: W) 35 km/h northeast X) 35 km/h southwest Y) 18 km/h northeast Z) 12 km/h northeast
W: W) 35 km/h northeast
X: X) 35 km/h southwest
Y: Y) 18 km/h northeast
Z: Z) 12 km/h northeast
Answer: Y) Y) 18 km/h northeast
What are the frequencies of the first and second overtones, respectively, for a string vibrating at a fundamental frequency of 440 Hz?
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Assuming that ln 5 = 1.6, find, to the first decimal place, ln (3 ¹∕₅).
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Factor the following expression completely: 100 x² – 25 y².
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