HS Sample Set 7, Round 1 from NSB

Questions in Packet

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Glucose is an example of what class of sugars? W) Hexose X) Pentose Y) Tetrose Z) Dextrose

W: W) Hexose

X: X) Pentose

Y: Y) Tetrose

Z: Z) Dextrose

Answer: W) W) Hexose

BONUS bio phrase

Name two cellular organelles besides the nucleus that contain a genome.

Acceptable Answers:

  • Chloroplast; Mitochondria

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

A train approaches a station with a velocity of +15 meters per second relative to the ground. If a person on the train is moving towards the rear of the train at a speed of 1.5 meters per second relative to the train, what is the velocity, in meters per second, of the person relative to the ground? W) +13.5 X) –13.5 Y) +16.5 Z) –16.5

W: W) +13.5

X: X) –13.5

Y: Y) +16.5

Z: Z) –16.5

Answer: W) W) +13.5

BONUS phys phrase

A set of non-zero vectors is added to obtain a sum of zero. What is the minimum number of vectors in the set if they are a) equal in magnitude or b) unequal in magnitude?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Equal = 2; Unequal = 3

TOSS-UP math multiple_choice

Which of the following relations does NOT represent a function? W) {(2, 3), (–4, 3), (7, 3)} X) {(0, 0), (–1, –1), (2, 2)} Y) {(2, 3), (–5, 3), (2, 7)} Z) {(–1, 3), (–5, 3), (–9, 0)}

W: W) {(2, 3), (–4, 3), (7, 3)}

X: X) {(0, 0), (–1, –1), (2, 2)}

Y: Y) {(2, 3), (–5, 3), (2, 7)}

Z: Z) {(–1, 3), (–5, 3), (–9, 0)}

Answer: Y) Y) {(2, 3), (–5, 3), (2, 7)}

BONUS math phrase

How many distinct signals can be made using four flags of different colors on a vertical flagpole?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 24

TOSS-UP energy multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT a result of mountaintop coal mining? W) Increased mineral content in valley streams X) Formation of new wetlands Y) Reduction in amphibian populations Z) Defragmentation of forests

W: W) Increased mineral content in valley streams

X: X) Formation of new wetlands

Y: Y) Reduction in amphibian populations

Z: Z) Defragmentation of forests

Answer: Z) Z) Defragmentation of forests

BONUS energy multiple_choice

Lithium thionyl chloride batteries have low current delivery but long life spans. They are able to operate at a temperature range between –55 °C and 150 °C. Which of the following is least likely to be powered by a lithium thionyl chloride battery? W) Speakers X) Smoke detectors Y) Diving equipment Z) Wireless alarm systems

W: W) Speakers

X: X) Smoke detectors

Y: Y) Diving equipment

Z: Z) Wireless alarm systems

Answer: W) W) Speakers

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

What cloud type is characterized by a formless cloud layer that is almost uniformly dark gray? W) Cumulonimbus X) Altocirrus Y) Cumulus Z) Nimbostratus

W: W) Cumulonimbus

X: X) Altocirrus

Y: Y) Cumulus

Z: Z) Nimbostratus

Answer: Z) Z) Nimbostratus

BONUS ess phrase

What is the term for a ridge of till that is formed when the lateral moraines of two adjacent alpine glaciers coalesce?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Medial moraine

TOSS-UP chem multiple_choice

Your research results in a new surface temperature probe to obtain data on planet Mercury; however, the probe is highly reactive with chalcogen gases. Which of the following would best insulate the probe? W) Diatomic fluorine X) Diatomic chlorine Y) Diatomic oxygen Z) Helium

W: W) Diatomic fluorine

X: X) Diatomic chlorine

Y: Y) Diatomic oxygen

Z: Z) Helium

Answer: Z) Z) Helium

BONUS chem phrase

If 35 liters of neon gas at 77 °C is cooled, the volume drops to 10 liters. If the pressure remains constant, what is the final temperature of the gas, in degrees Celsius?

Acceptable Answers:

  • –173 °C

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

What osteichthyes was known from the fossil record for nearly 100 years before a living specimen was discovered? W) Australian lungfish X) Beluga sturgeon Y) Coelacanth Z) Bowfin

W: W) Australian lungfish

X: X) Beluga sturgeon

Y: Y) Coelacanth

Z: Z) Bowfin

Answer: Y) Y) Coelacanth

BONUS bio phrase

An athlete who normally has plenty of endurance is admitted to the emergency room with symptoms of sickle cell anemia after a track competition at high altitude. Suspecting sickle cell trait, doctors decide to screen the athlete’s beta-globin gene for sickle-cell mutations. What is the general genetic term that would best describe the athlete’s beta-globin genotype of the alleles being tested?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Heterozygous

TOSS-UP phys phrase

The breakdown electric field of air is approximately 3 million volts per meter. Providing your answer in scientific notation, if a typical storm cloud is at an altitude of 2,000 meters, what is the voltage drop between the ground and the storm cloud just before the lightning strike?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 6 × 10^9

BONUS phys multiple_choice

A circuit consists of 5 capacitors of 5 µF each and a voltage source of 20 V. If the capacitors are connected in series, what is the potential difference across each of them? W) 4 µV X) 4 V Y) 10 V Z) 20 V

W: W) 4 µV

X: X) 4 V

Y: Y) 10 V

Z: Z) 20 V

Answer: X) X) 4 V

TOSS-UP math multiple_choice

What is the value of i^21? W) –i X) i Y) –1 Z) 1

W: W) –i

X: X) i

Y: Y) –1

Z: Z) 1

Answer: X) X) i

BONUS math multiple_choice

Which of the following is equivalent to (a⁻¹ + b⁻¹)⁻¹? W) ab/(a + b) X) a + b Y) a²b² Z) ab

W: W) ab/(a + b)

X: X) a + b

Y: Y) a²b²

Z: Z) ab

Answer: W) W) ab/(a + b)

TOSS-UP energy multiple_choice

Which of the following sources gives the largest amount of radiation exposure? W) A transcontinental airline flight X) A chest X-ray Y) Natural background radiation for one year Z) Living within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant for one year

W: W) A transcontinental airline flight

X: X) A chest X-ray

Y: Y) Natural background radiation for one year

Z: Z) Living within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant for one year

Answer: Y) Y) Natural background radiation for one year

BONUS energy multiple_choice

Fuel cells operating on methanol and air produce heat, electricity, and which of the following? W) Carbon monoxide X) Water Y) Water and carbon dioxide Z) Mercury

W: W) Carbon monoxide

X: X) Water

Y: Y) Water and carbon dioxide

Z: Z) Mercury

Answer: Y) Y) Water and carbon dioxide

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Who was the 18th century geologist who first developed the concept of uniformitarianism? W) Cuvier X) Lyell Y) Hutton Z) Steno

W: W) Cuvier

X: X) Lyell

Y: Y) Hutton

Z: Z) Steno

Answer: Y) Y) Hutton

BONUS ess phrase

What is the chemical formula for the substance whose dissolution was mainly responsible for the formation of Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CaCO₃

TOSS-UP chem multiple_choice

You are asked to investigate a gaseous sample that is composed of a variety of different atmospheric gases. Which of the following gas laws could provide information about the relative composition of the gases? W) Avogadro’s law X) Boyle’s law Y) Dalton’s law of partial pressure Z) Charles’s law

W: W) Avogadro’s law

X: X) Boyle’s law

Y: Y) Dalton’s law of partial pressure

Z: Z) Charles’s law

Answer: Y) Y) Dalton’s law of partial pressure

BONUS chem order

Put the following four compounds in order from least to most covalently bonded: 1) Beryllium sulfide 2) Lithium oxide 3) Magnesium chloride 4) Calcium bromide

Choices:

  • Beryllium sulfide
  • Lithium oxide
  • Magnesium chloride
  • Calcium bromide

Correct Order:

  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 1

TOSS-UP bio phrase

If a trace amount of blood was discovered at a crime scene, what technique could be used to amplify the amount of DNA present in this sample, thereby allowing scientists to determine the individual's blood type?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Polymerase chain reaction
  • PCR

BONUS bio multiple_choice

Which of the following best explains the property of Taq polymerase that makes it ideal for use in PCR reactions? W) It is heat-stable X) It is resistant to mechanical perturbation Y) It can remain stable at a variety of pH levels Z) It can be used in low concentrations

W: W) It is heat-stable

X: X) It is resistant to mechanical perturbation

Y: Y) It can remain stable at a variety of pH levels

Z: Z) It can be used in low concentrations

Answer: W) W) It is heat-stable

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

One hundred resistors have minimum, mean, and maximum values of 110 Ω, 150 Ω, and 300 Ω, respectively. If all 100 resistors are connected in parallel, which of the following ranges could contain the equivalent resistance? W) The provided information is insufficient to answer the question X) Less than 110 Ω Y) More than 110 Ω but less than 300 Ω Z) More than 300 Ω

W: W) The provided information is insufficient to answer the question

X: X) Less than 110 Ω

Y: Y) More than 110 Ω but less than 300 Ω

Z: Z) More than 300 Ω

Answer: X) X) Less than 110 Ω

BONUS phys phrase

Assuming lightning moves uniformly through a cylinder of air with a cross-sectional area of 1 m², a breakdown field of 3×10^6 V/m over 2,000 m, and air resistivity of 10 Ω·m, what is the current in amperes of a cloud-to-cloud lightning strike? (One significant digit, scientific notation.)

Acceptable Answers:

  • 3 × 10^5 A

TOSS-UP math multiple_choice

If f(x) = sin²x + cos²x, what is f ′(x)? W) 0 X) 1 Y) 2 sin x cos x Z) sin 2x

W: W) 0

X: X) 1

Y: Y) 2 sin x cos x

Z: Z) sin 2x

Answer: W) W) 0

BONUS math multiple_choice

What is the volume of a cube that has a space diagonal of 3√3? W) 27 X) 27√3 Y) 54 Z) 81

W: W) 27

X: X) 27√3

Y: Y) 54

Z: Z) 81

Answer: W) W) 27

TOSS-UP energy phrase

What physical property is exploited when separating volatiles via fractional distillation?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Boiling point
  • Boiling temperature
  • Vapor pressure

BONUS energy phrase

At 23 °C and 1 atm, what are the physical states, respectively, of ethane, butane, and octane?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Ethane = gas; Butane = gas; Octane = liquid

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following faults forms in areas characterized by extensional tectonics? W) Normal X) Reverse Y) Thrust Z) Strike slip

W: W) Normal

X: X) Reverse

Y: Y) Thrust

Z: Z) Strike slip

Answer: W) W) Normal

BONUS ess multiple_choice

The Philippines formed from tectonic activity at which of the following plate boundary types? W) Continent–continent convergent X) Divergent Y) Ocean–ocean convergent Z) Transform

W: W) Continent–continent convergent

X: X) Divergent

Y: Y) Ocean–ocean convergent

Z: Z) Transform

Answer: Y) Y) Ocean–ocean convergent

TOSS-UP chem multiple_choice

Which of the following does NOT have an index of hydrogen deficiency of 3? W) Spiropentane X) Norbornene Y) 1,3-Cyclohexadiene Z) trans-1,3,5-Hexatriene

W: W) Spiropentane

X: X) Norbornene

Y: Y) 1,3-Cyclohexadiene

Z: Z) trans-1,3,5-Hexatriene

Answer: W) W) Spiropentane

BONUS chem phrase

What is the oxidizing agent typically used in hydroboration–oxidation?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • H₂O₂
  • Hydroperoxide anion

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of diatoms? W) They have a saccharide cell covering X) They contain carotenoids, as well as chlorophyll a and b Y) They have a frustule made up of silica Z) Some species produce toxins

W: W) They have a saccharide cell covering

X: X) They contain carotenoids, as well as chlorophyll a and b

Y: Y) They have a frustule made up of silica

Z: Z) Some species produce toxins

Answer: W) W) They have a saccharide cell covering

BONUS bio phrase

What term, derived from the Greek words for feces and rock, applies to fossilized animal dung?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Coprolite

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

The triple point of water is nearest which of the following temperatures? W) 273 °F X) 273 °C Y) 273 K Z) 0 K

W: W) 273 °F

X: X) 273 °C

Y: Y) 273 K

Z: Z) 0 K

Answer: Y) Y) 273 K

BONUS phys multiple_choice

A pipe with a 30 cm inner radius is connected to a pipe with a 15 cm inner radius. If incompressible water flows through the pipes, what is the flow speed in cm/s in the smaller pipe if the flow speed through the larger pipe is 10 cm/s? W) 10 X) 20 Y) 30 Z) 40

W: W) 10

X: X) 20

Y: Y) 30

Z: Z) 40

Answer: Z) Z) 40

TOSS-UP math phrase

Solve the following equation for x over the real numbers: 27·3^x = 81.

Acceptable Answers:

  • 1

BONUS math phrase

If the first four terms of an arithmetic sequence are a, 2a, b, and a – 6 – b, find the 100th term.

Acceptable Answers:

  • –100

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

The lack of transmission of earthquake S-waves through what layer of the Earth is evidence that it is liquid? W) Mantle X) Outer core Y) Inner core Z) Lithosphere

W: W) Mantle

X: X) Outer core

Y: Y) Inner core

Z: Z) Lithosphere

Answer: X) X) Outer core

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Nimbostratus clouds are considered what type of clouds, based on their height in the atmosphere? W) High-level X) Mid-level Y) Low-level Z) Ground-level

W: W) High-level

X: X) Mid-level

Y: Y) Low-level

Z: Z) Ground-level

Answer: Y) Y) Low-level

TOSS-UP chem multiple_choice

What is the major product in the ethoxide-promoted β-elimination of 1-chloro-1-methylcyclohexane? W) Ethanol X) 1-Methyl-1-cyclohexene Y) Methylcyclohexane Z) Methylenecyclohexane

W: W) Ethanol

X: X) 1-Methyl-1-cyclohexene

Y: Y) Methylcyclohexane

Z: Z) Methylenecyclohexane

Answer: X) X) 1-Methyl-1-cyclohexene

BONUS chem phrase

Which halogen is the poorest SN2 leaving group?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Fluorine

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

In a gel electrophoresis experiment, in which direction will a DNA sample move, and why? W) Toward the negative electrode because DNA has a positive charge X) Toward the negative electrode because DNA has a negative charge Y) Toward the positive electrode because DNA has a positive charge Z) Toward the positive electrode because DNA has a negative charge

W: W) Toward the negative electrode because DNA has a positive charge

X: X) Toward the negative electrode because DNA has a negative charge

Y: Y) Toward the positive electrode because DNA has a positive charge

Z: Z) Toward the positive electrode because DNA has a negative charge

Answer: Z) Z) Toward the positive electrode because DNA has a negative charge

BONUS bio multiple_choice

Which of the following chemical bonds does NOT correctly characterize the interaction between two molecules? W) Ester linkage: ribose to phosphate X) Peptide bond: amino acid to amino acid Y) Covalent bond: anticodon to codon Z) Hydrogen bond: adenine to thymine

W: W) Ester linkage: ribose to phosphate

X: X) Peptide bond: amino acid to amino acid

Y: Y) Covalent bond: anticodon to codon

Z: Z) Hydrogen bond: adenine to thymine

Answer: Y) Y) Covalent bond: anticodon to codon

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

A spaceship going away from you at a speed of 0.2 c sends an electromagnetic signal to you. What is the speed at which the signal approaches? W) 0.2 c X) 0.8 c Y) c Z) 1.2 c

W: W) 0.2 c

X: X) 0.8 c

Y: Y) c

Z: Z) 1.2 c

Answer: Y) Y) c

BONUS phys multiple_choice

A box slides with friction up a ramp, comes to rest briefly, and then slides back down. Which of the following statements about this motion is true? W) The magnitude of the acceleration of the box at any point sliding up the ramp is greater than the magnitude of the acceleration at the same point down the ramp X) The magnitude of the acceleration of the box at any point sliding down the ramp is greater than the magnitude of the acceleration at the same point up the ramp Y) The magnitude of the acceleration of the box at any point sliding up the ramp is the same as the magnitude of the acceleration of the box at the same point down the ramp and is non-zero Z) The magnitude of the acceleration of the box at any point sliding up the ramp is the same as the magnitude of the acceleration of the box at the same point down the ramp and is zero

W: W) The magnitude of the acceleration of the box at any point sliding up the ramp is greater than the magnitude of the acceleration at the same point down the ramp

X: X) The magnitude of the acceleration of the box at any point sliding down the ramp is greater than the magnitude of the acceleration at the same point up the ramp

Y: Y) The magnitude of the acceleration of the box at any point sliding up the ramp is the same as the magnitude of the acceleration of the box at the same point down the ramp and is non-zero

Z: Z) The magnitude of the acceleration of the box at any point sliding up the ramp is the same as the magnitude of the acceleration of the box at the same point down the ramp and is zero

Answer: W) W) The magnitude of the acceleration of the box at any point sliding up the ramp is greater than the magnitude of the acceleration at the same point down the ramp