MS Sample Set 12, Round 12 from NSB
If $$\log_4 x = 2.5$$, what is $$x$$?
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What is the $$y$$-coordinate of the $$y$$-intercept of the line with slope $$-\tfrac{4}{5}$$ that contains the point $(-3,8)$?
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What is the name for the southern-most latitude for which it is possible for the Sun to be at the zenith?
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Order the following four objects in the night sky in increasing order of brightness: 1) Venus; 2) Uranus; 3) Sirius; 4) Andromeda Galaxy.
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For an object falling in the presence of air resistance, which of the following quantities will asymptotically approach a non-zero constant? W) Position X) Velocity Y) Acceleration Z) Force
W: W) Position
X: X) Velocity
Y: Y) Acceleration
Z: Z) Force
Answer: X) X) Velocity
An object remains in uniform circular motion while having its velocity doubled and its radius of revolution tripled. By what factor is its centripetal acceleration multiplied?
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Scientists at the Joint Genome Institute recently conducted epigenetic sequencing of fungi. Which of the following is primarily measured in epigenetic analysis? W) Methylation on DNA bases X) Quantity of RNA transcripts Y) Sequences of various genes Z) Quantity of various proteins
W: W) Methylation on DNA bases
X: X) Quantity of RNA transcripts
Y: Y) Sequences of various genes
Z: Z) Quantity of various proteins
Answer: W) W) Methylation on DNA bases
Scientists at SLAC are working on improving the sensitivity of what interferometer that was responsible for the first detection of gravitational waves?
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Which of the following kingdoms contains organisms that directly produce methane as a byproduct of metabolism? W) Bacteria X) Archaea Y) Fungi Z) Animalia
W: W) Bacteria
X: X) Archaea
Y: Y) Fungi
Z: Z) Animalia
Answer: X) X) Archaea
Identify all of the following three stages of meiosis that are marked by the synapsis of homologous chromosomes: 1) Prophase I; 2) Prophase II; 3) Metaphase II.
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Which of the following is an effect of El Niño on the southern United States’ climate? W) An increase in tornadoes X) Fewer rainfalls Y) Drier winters Z) Warmer winters
W: W) An increase in tornadoes
X: X) Fewer rainfalls
Y: Y) Drier winters
Z: Z) Warmer winters
Answer: W) W) An increase in tornadoes
Identify all of the following three statements that are true of rock types: 1) Granite and andesite are chemically equivalent; 2) Gabbro and basalt are chemically equivalent; 3) Gabbro is an extrusive rock.
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A triangle has two sides of length 6 and 11. Which of the following is NOT possible for the length of the third side? W) 6 X) 11 Y) 16 Z) 17
W: W) 6
X: X) 11
Y: Y) 16
Z: Z) 17
Answer: Z) Z) 17
Evaluate $$3\log_2 8 \;+\; 4\log_3 81\;-\;\tfrac{1}{2}\log_4 4096\,. $$
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Evangelista Torricelli is famous for inventing what tool that measures atmospheric pressure?
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Identify all of the following three properties that are typical of nonmetals: 1) Ductile; 2) Poor electrical conductance; 3) Form basic oxides.
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Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a laser-based tabletop device to measure carbon-14 concentrations. Biological samples must be homogenized, dried, and combusted before they are measured. In what compound does the spectrometer measure the carbon-14 abundance?
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Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab recently published a study on the distribution of dust in the Milky Way. Which of the following best explains how they can detect the dust? W) Interstellar dust easily scatters red light, so stars seen through it appear bluer than expected X) Interstellar dust easily scatters blue light, so stars seen through it appear redder than expected Y) The dust generates photons Z) The gravitational effects of the dust are measurable
W: W) Interstellar dust easily scatters red light, so stars seen through it appear bluer than expected
X: X) Interstellar dust easily scatters blue light, so stars seen through it appear redder than expected
Y: Y) The dust generates photons
Z: Z) The gravitational effects of the dust are measurable
Answer: X) X) Interstellar dust easily scatters blue light, so stars seen through it appear redder than expected
Which of the following is closest to the number of astronomical units from the Earth to Proxima Centauri? W) $3\times10^5$ X) $3\times10^6$ Y) $3\times10^7$ Z) $3\times10^8$
W: W) $3\times10^5$
X: X) $3\times10^6$
Y: Y) $3\times10^7$
Z: Z) $3\times10^8$
Answer: W) W) $3\times10^5$
Identify all of the following three statements that are true of Earth’s magnetic field: 1) It is responsible for blocking gamma radiation from the Sun; 2) It is responsible for the formation of the Van Allen belts; 3) Its strength is tens of microteslas at Earth’s surface.
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Having a single ventricle limits oxygen delivery for a three-chambered heart. Which of the following animals has a three-chambered heart? W) Mouse X) Eagle Y) Chimpanzee Z) Frog
W: W) Mouse
X: X) Eagle
Y: Y) Chimpanzee
Z: Z) Frog
Answer: Z) Z) Frog
Elastin is a protein that is most commonly found in which of the four general classes of human tissue?
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Researchers at Argonne National Lab Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division are studying the decomposition of H₂CO into H₂ and CO. If they are specifically examining the hydrogen-carbon bond stretching and breaking, what type of structure are they examining? W) Product X) Second order Y) Transition state Z) Intermediate
W: W) Product
X: X) Second order
Y: Y) Transition state
Z: Z) Intermediate
Answer: Y) Y) Transition state
Scientists at Los Alamos National Lab recently discovered that optical phonons in some 2D lattices condense into what phase of ultracold matter composed of particles with integer spins?
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What is the general term for an erosional or non-depositional surface between strata of different ages? W) Unconformity X) Fault Y) Cross bedding Z) Syncline
W: W) Unconformity
X: X) Fault
Y: Y) Cross bedding
Z: Z) Syncline
Answer: W) W) Unconformity
Identify all of the following three statements that are true of erosion and soil: 1) Eroded materials are deposited at new locations by a process called weathering; 2) Humus is the gravel-like covering above the bedrock; 3) A soil horizon is a distinct layer within a cross section of the soil.
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If a number is increased by 60%, by what percent is its square increased?
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One angle of an isosceles triangle measures $74^\circ$. In degrees, what are the possible measures of the smallest angle of the triangle?
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For each gene, what is the maximum number of different alleles a human can inherit?
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Identify all of the following three steps of aerobic respiration that produce carbon dioxide: 1) Glycolysis; 2) Krebs cycle; 3) Oxidative phosphorylation.
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Which of the following substances contains a covalent bond? W) Dichlorine X) Argon Y) Sodium chloride Z) Neon
W: W) Dichlorine
X: X) Argon
Y: Y) Sodium chloride
Z: Z) Neon
Answer: W) W) Dichlorine
What group of elements possesses a stable outer energy level?
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The point $(-4,7)$ is reflected over the $$y$$-axis. In what quadrant does the reflected point lie?
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How many edges does a regular dodecahedron have?
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What fluid bathes the inside of a joint capsule and lubricates movement?
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A macrophage engulfs a bacterial cell and then creates molecules that trigger itself to migrate to the lymph node. What type of signaling is this? W) Endocrine X) Neuroendocrine Y) Paracrine Z) Autocrine
W: W) Endocrine
X: X) Neuroendocrine
Y: Y) Paracrine
Z: Z) Autocrine
Answer: Z) Z) Autocrine
Which of the following quantities related to a light wave increases with increasing energy carried by each photon? W) Amplitude X) Speed Y) Wavelength Z) Frequency
W: W) Amplitude
X: X) Speed
Y: Y) Wavelength
Z: Z) Frequency
Answer: Z) Z) Frequency
Identify all of the following three statements that are true of electrical devices: 1) Transformers convert alternating current to direct current; 2) Household electrical outlets provide alternating current; 3) Batteries produce direct current.
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What is the $$x$$-intercept of the line with equation $$5x - 4y = -40$$?
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The graph of the line with equation $$y = -3x + 4$$ is reflected through the $$x$$-axis. What is the slope-intercept equation of the reflected line?
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What is the chemical formula of the mineral quartz?
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What scale is used to measure the intensity of an earthquake based on its damage?
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What is the general term for compounds used in titrations that react with acids or bases to produce a color change?
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Identify all of the following three terms that can be used to describe methanol: 1) Covalent; 2) Polar; 3) Ionic.
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In plants, light-dependent oxidative phosphorylation takes place in what organelle?
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What family of enzymes is responsible for synthesizing new DNA during replication?
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