MS Sample Set 15, Round 8 from NSB

Questions in Packet

TOSS-UP math phrase

Charlie has a rectangular pool in his backyard, with sides of lengths 12 and 8. He wants to add a concrete sidewalk of width 2 around the pool. When he is finished, what is the total area of the sidewalk?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 96

BONUS math phrase

If the graph of \(y\) equals the second-degree polynomial \(p(x)\) contains the three points \((0,0)\), \((4,-24)\), and \((6,0)\), what is \(p(x)\)?

Acceptable Answers:

  • $$3x^2 - 18x$$
  • $$y = 3x^2 - 18x$$

TOSS-UP phys phrase

How many total electrons does an atom of neutral beryllium possess?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 4

BONUS phys phrase

A 6-ohm and an 8-ohm resistor are connected in parallel, and then this circuit is connected in series to a 5-ohm resistor. In ohms, what is the equivalent resistance of this circuit?

Acceptable Answers:

  • $$\frac{59}{7}$$
  • $$8\tfrac{3}{7}$$

TOSS-UP ess phrase

The Milky Way and many other spiral galaxies have a linear structure passing through the galactic center that then spawns spiral arms. What is the term for this type of spiral galaxy?

Acceptable Answers:

  • BARRED SPIRAL
  • SB, SPIRAL BARRED

BONUS ess multiselect

Identify all of the following three stellar arrangements that would produce a continuous spectrum: 1) A black body 2) A star that is obscured by a cloud of gas 3) A cloud of gas that is excited by radiation from a nearby star

Choices:

  • A black body
  • A star that is obscured by a cloud of gas
  • A cloud of gas that is excited by radiation from a nearby star

Correct Answers:

  • 1

TOSS-UP energy multiple_choice

Scientists supported by the Department of Energy are studying vibrational energy levels in molecules. What region of the electromagnetic spectrum are they using to probe these energy levels? W) Visible X) Ultraviolet Y) Radio Z) Infrared

W: W) Visible

X: X) Ultraviolet

Y: Y) Radio

Z: Z) Infrared

Answer: Z) Z) Infrared

BONUS energy multiple_choice

Scientists supported by the Department of Energy are studying piezoelectricity, which is a phenomenon typically demonstrated by what type of material? W) Liquids X) Gases Y) Ceramics Z) Plasmas

W: W) Liquids

X: X) Gases

Y: Y) Ceramics

Z: Z) Plasmas

Answer: Y) Y) Ceramics

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

What gene elements are removed from mRNA through the process of splicing? W) Poly-A tails X) Promoters Y) Exons Z) Introns

W: W) Poly-A tails

X: X) Promoters

Y: Y) Exons

Z: Z) Introns

Answer: Z) Z) Introns

BONUS bio multiple_choice

Kate is constructing a cladogram that includes angiosperms, conifers, ferns, and mosses. Which of the following is most likely to be an ancestral trait of this cladogram? W) Flowers X) Stems Y) Vasculature Z) Seeds

W: W) Flowers

X: X) Stems

Y: Y) Vasculature

Z: Z) Seeds

Answer: X) X) Stems

TOSS-UP math phrase

The rate at which a factory packs boxes is proportional to the square of the number of people working. If one person packs 8 boxes an hour, how many boxes will 3 people pack in one hour?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 72

BONUS math phrase

What is the largest integer \(n\) such that \(7^n\) divides \(50!\)?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 8

TOSS-UP phys phrase

What is the term used to describe compounds with the same chemical formula but different arrangements of atoms?

Acceptable Answers:

  • ISOMERS

BONUS phys phrase

The maximum amount of elemental barium allowed in drinking water by the EPA is 2 milligrams per liter. Barium has an atomic mass of 140 grams per mole. In millimoles and to two significant figures, what is the maximum amount of barium allowed in one liter of drinking water?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 0.014

TOSS-UP ess phrase

Ferro-magnetic minerals in rocks can record important details of Earth’s magnetic field in the past. When these rocks are metamorphosed at high temperatures, they can lose this record. What is the name of the temperature at which this record of Earth’s magnetic field is lost?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CURIE TEMPERATURE
  • CURIE POINT

BONUS ess order

Place the following three seafloor regions in order of increasing ocean water depth: 1) Abyssal plain 2) Oceanic ridge 3) Oceanic trench

Choices:

  • Abyssal plain
  • Oceanic ridge
  • Oceanic trench

Correct Order:

  • 2
  • 1
  • 3

TOSS-UP energy multiple_choice

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Lab are part of a collaboration to study quark-gluon plasma. Which of the following statements is true of gluons? W) They are leptons X) They are fermions Y) They are bosons Z) They are mesons

W: W) They are leptons

X: X) They are fermions

Y: Y) They are bosons

Z: Z) They are mesons

Answer: Y) Y) They are bosons

BONUS energy phrase

As a part of the DUNE collaboration, Fermilab scientists are searching for neutrinos that only interact with other matter via gravity. What is the term for these neutrinos?

Acceptable Answers:

  • STERILE NEUTRINOS
  • INERT NEUTRINOS

TOSS-UP bio phrase

What is the term for the openings on plant leaves that allow gas exchange with the atmosphere?

Acceptable Answers:

  • STOMATA
  • STOMA

BONUS bio order

Place the following three neurons in chronological order of activation during a reflex arc: 1) Interneuron 2) Motor neuron 3) Sensory neuron

Choices:

  • Interneuron
  • Motor neuron
  • Sensory neuron

Correct Order:

  • 3
  • 1
  • 2

TOSS-UP math phrase

The point \((-5, 3)\) is reflected through the line \(y = x\) and then reflected through the \(y\)-axis. What are the coordinates of the resulting point?

Acceptable Answers:

  • \((-3, -5)\)

BONUS math phrase

What is the area of a circle that circumscribes a rectangle with sides of lengths 12 and 14?

Acceptable Answers:

  • $$85\pi$$

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

The Archimedes Principle is most related to which of the following concepts? W) Pressure X) Energy Y) Efficiency Z) Buoyancy

W: W) Pressure

X: X) Energy

Y: Y) Efficiency

Z: Z) Buoyancy

Answer: Z) Z) Buoyancy

BONUS phys phrase

If a mercury barometer reads 760 mm, then, to the nearest whole meter, what value would a water barometer read at the same pressure?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 10

TOSS-UP ess phrase

NOx and SOx compounds play a significant role in acid rain formation. What are the two primary acids formed by these two groups of compounds?

Acceptable Answers:

  • SULFURIC ACID AND NITRIC ACID

BONUS ess multiselect

Identify all of the following three rock types that are foliated: 1) Marble 2) Quartzite 3) Anthracite

Choices:

  • Marble
  • Quartzite
  • Anthracite

Correct Answers:

  • 0

TOSS-UP energy phrase

Scientists at Argonne National Lab are developing lithium-ion battery cathodes that contain manganese instead of what element found in vitamin B₁₂?

Acceptable Answers:

  • COBALT

BONUS energy multiple_choice

Scientists at SLAC National Accelerator Lab are studying stishovite. What process is thought to produce stishovite on the surface of Earth? W) Meteorite impact X) Lightning strike Y) Low-grade metamorphism Z) High-grade metamorphism

W: W) Meteorite impact

X: X) Lightning strike

Y: Y) Low-grade metamorphism

Z: Z) High-grade metamorphism

Answer: W) W) Meteorite impact

TOSS-UP bio phrase

The MAP kinase pathway is a signaling cascade pathway where successive proteins become activated. Activation of these proteins is mediated by the addition of what inorganic functional group?

Acceptable Answers:

  • PHOSPHATE
  • PO₄³⁻

BONUS bio multiselect

Identify all of the following three factors that are density-dependent limiting factors to population growth: 1) Disease 2) Predation 3) Competition

Choices:

  • Disease
  • Predation
  • Competition

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3