MS Sample Set 13, Round 13 from NSB

Questions in Packet

TOSS-UP math phrase

The point (4, 2) is reflected through the y-axis and then reflected through the line y = x. What are the coordinates of the resulting point?

Acceptable Answers:

  • (2, –4)

BONUS math phrase

Convert 204 in base 10 to base 6.

Acceptable Answers:

  • 540
  • FIVE-FOUR-ZERO

TOSS-UP ess phrase

Enceladus [en-SELL-ah-dus] is a moon of particular interest because its cryovolcanos have been observed to expel plumes mainly composed of what substance?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Water
  • Water vapor

BONUS ess phrase

What planet in our solar system has a 3 to 2 spin-orbit resonance?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Mercury

TOSS-UP phys phrase

What temperature scale defines the zero point as absolute zero and defines one unit of temperature as the same size as one Celsius degree?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Kelvin

BONUS phys phrase

In high-density polyethylene, or HDPE, each carbon atom bonds to how many other carbon atoms?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 2

TOSS-UP bio phrase

The pons and the medulla oblongata are parts of what brain structure that connects the spinal cord to the rest of the brain?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Brainstem

BONUS bio phrase

What division of the autonomic nervous system can increase heart rate and stimulate adrenal glands?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Sympathetic

TOSS-UP energy multiple_choice

Scientists at Los Alamos National Lab are measuring the flux of charged particles entering Earth’s upper atmosphere. Most of these charged particles come from which of the following? W) Nearby pulsars X) Radioactive decay of elements Y) Active galactic nuclei Z) Solar wind

W: W) Nearby pulsars

X: X) Radioactive decay of elements

Y: Y) Active galactic nuclei

Z: Z) Solar wind

Answer: Z) Z) Solar wind

BONUS energy phrase

Researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Lab are studying how planets must be shielded from their star's stellar wind to support life. What region surrounding Earth shields it from the solar wind?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Magnetosphere

TOSS-UP ess phrase

What term is used by oceanographers to describe a body of water within the ocean that is characterized by its temperature and salinity?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Water mass

BONUS ess multiselect

Identify all of the following three geologic time groupings that are eras: 1) Proterozoic; 2) Oligocene; 3) Paleogene.

Choices:

  • Proterozoic
  • Oligocene
  • Paleogene

Correct Answers:

  • 1

TOSS-UP phys phrase

A 3-ohm resistor is subjected to a voltage difference of 6 volts. In amperes, what is the current that passes through the resistor?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 2

BONUS phys phrase

Suppose that a mass is accelerated at a constant acceleration of 5 meters per second squared from a velocity of 10 meters per second to 20 meters per second. In meters, what is the distance traveled by the object in this duration?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 30

TOSS-UP math phrase

According to the division algorithm, when an integer is divided by 12, what are the largest and smallest possible remainders, respectively?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Largest = 11, Smallest = 0

BONUS math phrase

What is the slope-intercept equation of the line that contains points (–3, –25) and (2, 20)?

Acceptable Answers:

  • y = 9x + 2

TOSS-UP bio phrase

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by the pinching of nerves in the region of what joint?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Wrist
  • Radiocarpal

BONUS bio multiselect

Identify all of the following three animals that possess a placenta: 1) Kangaroo; 2) Echidna; 3) Parrot.

Choices:

  • Kangaroo
  • Echidna
  • Parrot

Correct Answers:

  • 1

TOSS-UP energy phrase

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Lab have recently reported a new catalyst that can convert methane to what single-carbon alcohol?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Methanol
  • CH₃OH

BONUS energy phrase

The Axion Dark Matter Experiment, or ADMX, has achieved a milestone: it is the first experiment to have achieved the necessary sensitivity to detect theorized dark matter particles, known as axions. What part of the galaxy is thought to be made of axions?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Galactic halo
  • Halo

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is closest to the average orbital period, in Earth years, of an asteroid in the asteroid belt? W) 5 X) 11 Y) 23 Z) 32

W: W) 5

X: X) 11

Y: Y) 23

Z: Z) 32

Answer: W) W) 5

BONUS ess phrase

The alpha process in stars will synthesize heavier and heavier elements until it culminates in the build-up of what stable element?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Iron

TOSS-UP bio phrase

Two species of songbirds can theoretically interbreed to form viable offspring, but they have different mating songs. What type of isolation is this?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Behavioral isolation

BONUS bio phrase

In the amniotic egg, what membrane stores waste produced by the embryo?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Allantois

TOSS-UP math phrase

Simplify the following expression: \(\log_3\bigl(\tfrac{1}{4x}\bigr) + \log_3(36x)\).

Acceptable Answers:

  • 2

BONUS math phrase

What is the sum of the first 8 terms of the geometric sequence with first term –2 and common ratio –2?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 170

TOSS-UP energy multiple_choice

Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have developed a new electron gun that uses a superconducting chamber made from niobium metal. How did the scientists lower the electrical resistance of the niobium to nearly zero? W) Subjected the niobium to intense pressures X) Heated the niobium to 1000 degrees Celsius Y) Cooled the niobium to 4 kelvins Z) Bombarded the niobium with neutrons

W: W) Subjected the niobium to intense pressures

X: X) Heated the niobium to 1000 degrees Celsius

Y: Y) Cooled the niobium to 4 kelvins

Z: Z) Bombarded the niobium with neutrons

Answer: Y) Y) Cooled the niobium to 4 kelvins

BONUS energy phrase

Biologists at Pacific Northwest National Lab are studying the H5N1 influenza virus. What protein does the “N” in this virus refer to?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Neuraminidase

TOSS-UP phys phrase

In an ionic equation, what is the term for ions that are present on both sides of the equation and do not participate in the reaction?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Spectator ions

BONUS phys multiple_choice

Given the pressure, volume, and temperature of a gas sample, the ideal gas constant allows you to determine what about that gas sample? W) Chemical identity X) Number of molecules Y) Mass per molecule Z) Root-mean-square velocity

W: W) Chemical identity

X: X) Number of molecules

Y: Y) Mass per molecule

Z: Z) Root-mean-square velocity

Answer: X) X) Number of molecules

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Mass wasting occurs when what pair of forces become unbalanced? W) Gravity and shear force X) Shear force and normal force Y) Gravity and friction Z) Friction and normal force

W: W) Gravity and shear force

X: X) Shear force and normal force

Y: Y) Gravity and friction

Z: Z) Friction and normal force

Answer: Y) Y) Gravity and friction

BONUS ess multiselect

Identify all of the following three locations that will always fall on a fault plane of an earthquake: 1) Epicenter; 2) Hypocenter; 3) Focus.

Choices:

  • Epicenter
  • Hypocenter
  • Focus

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3

TOSS-UP bio phrase

The ventricles in the brain are filled with what fluid?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CSF
  • Cerebrospinal fluid

BONUS bio phrase

A phage can incorporate its DNA into the bacterial chromosome in the lysogenic cycle of infection. What is the term for the viral DNA that is embedded in the host DNA?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Prophage
  • Provirus

TOSS-UP math phrase

How many faces does a pentagonal pyramid have?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 6

BONUS math phrase

How many positive integers can be formed using only the digits 1, 2, and 3, at most once each?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 15

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Which of the following is closest to the frequency corresponding to a radio wave with a wavelength of 30 centimeters? W) 1 kilohertz X) 1 megahertz Y) 1 gigahertz Z) 1 terahertz

W: W) 1 kilohertz

X: X) 1 megahertz

Y: Y) 1 gigahertz

Z: Z) 1 terahertz

Answer: Y) Y) 1 gigahertz

BONUS phys multiple_choice

In a light wave at a given position, the electric field oscillates proportionally to the function cosine of \(w t\), where \(t\) is given in seconds. To which of the following quantities does \(w\) best correspond? W) Color X) Brightness Y) Speed Z) Duration of light pulse

W: W) Color

X: X) Brightness

Y: Y) Speed

Z: Z) Duration of light pulse

Answer: W) W) Color

TOSS-UP ess phrase

What is the name of the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Sirius

BONUS ess phrase

After a glacier has melted, a cirque basin will often become what type of small lake?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Tarn

TOSS-UP bio phrase

In the earthworm digestive system, what is the term for the pouch in which mechanical digestion of food occurs?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Gizzard

BONUS bio multiselect

Identify all of the following three features that are characteristic of monocots: 1) Branched venation in leaves; 2) Fibrous roots; 3) Scattered vascular bundles in stem.

Choices:

  • Branched venation in leaves
  • Fibrous roots
  • Scattered vascular bundles in stem

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3

TOSS-UP math phrase

If a triangle has two sides with respective lengths of 20 and 13, what is the maximum possible integer length of the third side?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 32

BONUS math phrase

Three cats and three dogs are to be placed in a line. How many arrangements have all of the cats grouped together?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 144

TOSS-UP phys phrase

What is the term for the curvature of the top of a liquid in a container?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Meniscus

BONUS phys multiselect

Identify all of the following three molecules that are polar: 1) Ammonia; 2) Phosphine; 3) Methane.

Choices:

  • Ammonia
  • Phosphine
  • Methane

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 2