MS Sample Set 15, Round 1 from NSB

Questions in Packet

TOSS-UP phys phrase

Niels Bohr developed a model of the atom that explained why different elements burn in different colors. In this model, the light emitted by burning is due to changes in what subatomic particle?

Acceptable Answers:

  • ELECTRON

BONUS phys multiselect

Identify all of the following three properties of matter that are extensive: 1) Mass; 2) Volume; 3) Density.

Choices:

  • Mass
  • Volume
  • Density

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 2

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following minerals will be a source of phosphate to the environment when it is weathered? W) Quartz X) Apatite Y) Gypsum Z) Pyrite

W: W) Quartz

X: X) Apatite

Y: Y) Gypsum

Z: Z) Pyrite

Answer: X) X) Apatite

BONUS ess order

Rank the following three elements in order of increasing abundance in Earth’s crust: 1) Iron; 2) Silicon; 3) Carbon.

Choices:

  • Iron
  • Silicon
  • Carbon

Correct Order:

  • 3
  • 1
  • 2

TOSS-UP energy phrase

Ames Lab researchers are determining the physical properties of AuNPs [A. U. N. P’s]. What metallic element are these nanoparticles made of?

Acceptable Answers:

  • GOLD

BONUS energy multiple_choice

Researchers at Fermi National Accelerator Lab are designing a new kind of qubit [Q-bit]. Which of the following best describes the difference between a qubit and a classical bit? W) Qubits use quantum tunneling to move data more quickly X) Qubits can exist in a superposition of classical states Y) Qubits exploit quantum interference to become more energy efficient than classical bits Z) Qubits use quantum decoherence to simulate multiple classical bits

W: W) Qubits use quantum tunneling to move data more quickly

X: X) Qubits can exist in a superposition of classical states

Y: Y) Qubits exploit quantum interference to become more energy efficient than classical bits

Z: Z) Qubits use quantum decoherence to simulate multiple classical bits

Answer: X) X) Qubits can exist in a superposition of classical states

TOSS-UP bio phrase

From time to time, arthropods must shed their exoskeletons to continue growing. What is the term for this process?

Acceptable Answers:

  • MOLTING
  • ECDYSIS

BONUS bio phrase

During prophase I, what process results in the exchange of DNA between homologous chromosomes?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CROSSING OVER
  • SYNAPSIS

DO NOT ACCEPT:

  • RECOMBINATION

TOSS-UP math phrase

What percent of $$x$$ is $$\frac{x}{2} + \frac{x}{4}$$?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 75

BONUS math phrase

Solve the following equation for $$x$$: $$(7x - 6)^2 = 64$$.

Acceptable Answers:

  • –2/7, 2

TOSS-UP phys phrase

What is the term for double-replacement reactions between acids and bases?

Acceptable Answers:

  • NEUTRALIZATION

BONUS phys phrase

In the combustion of ethane, how many water molecules are produced for every oxygen molecule used?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 6/7

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following best describes the direction in which a comet’s gas tail points? W) Ahead of the comet’s motion X) Behind the comet’s motion Y) Away from the Sun Z) Towards the Sun

W: W) Ahead of the comet’s motion

X: X) Behind the comet’s motion

Y: Y) Away from the Sun

Z: Z) Towards the Sun

Answer: Y) Y) Away from the Sun

BONUS ess phrase

Which of the terrestrial planets has the largest number of natural satellites?

Acceptable Answers:

  • MARS

TOSS-UP energy phrase

Brookhaven National Lab scientists are investigating materials that decrease in volume when heated, instead of increasing in volume. What is the term for the physical effect where the volume of a material is dependent on temperature?

Acceptable Answers:

  • THERMAL EXPANSION
  • THERMAL CONTRACTION

BONUS energy multiple_choice

Brookhaven National Lab is researching how to tether catalysts to chromophores for artificial photosynthesis. Which of the following is most similar in function to a chromophore? W) Enzyme X) Fuel Y) Solvent Z) Dye

W: W) Enzyme

X: X) Fuel

Y: Y) Solvent

Z: Z) Dye

Answer: Z) Z) Dye

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT found in an animal cell? W) Mitochondrion X) Cytoskeleton Y) Endoplasmic reticulum Z) Cell wall

W: W) Mitochondrion

X: X) Cytoskeleton

Y: Y) Endoplasmic reticulum

Z: Z) Cell wall

Answer: Z) Z) Cell wall

BONUS bio multiselect

In a multicellular organism, cells in different tissues have very different functions. Identify all of the following three features that are typically different between two such cells: 1) DNA sequence; 2) Transcriptomic profile; 3) Proteomic profile.

Choices:

  • DNA sequence
  • Transcriptomic profile
  • Proteomic profile

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3

TOSS-UP math phrase

A trapezoid has height 6 and one base of length 16. If the area is 72, what is the length of the other base?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 8

BONUS math phrase

Express the following in scientific notation rounded to two significant digits: the fraction with numerator $$5.7 \times 10^5$$ and denominator $$8.9 \times 10^{-4}$$.

Acceptable Answers:

  • $6.4 \times 10^8$

TOSS-UP phys phrase

While Newton’s first law deals with linear motion, spinning objects also have a tendency to remain spinning in the absence of external torques. This is due to the conservation of what quantity?

Acceptable Answers:

  • ANGULAR MOMENTUM

BONUS phys phrase

In most organic compounds, how many covalent bonds does nitrogen make to other atoms?

Acceptable Answers:

  • THREE

TOSS-UP ess phrase

What two phases of the Moon come directly before and after waxing gibbous, respectively?

Acceptable Answers:

  • FIRST QUARTER; FULL
  • FULL MOON

BONUS ess order

Rank the following three stellar spectral classes by increasing temperature: 1) G; 2) M; 3) A.

Choices:

  • G
  • M
  • A

Correct Order:

  • 2
  • 1
  • 3

TOSS-UP energy phrase

Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Lab are studying antibiotic resistance in the bacterial genus Mycobacterium. What human lung disease, which can be diagnosed with a PPD skin test, is caused by bacteria in this genus?

Acceptable Answers:

  • TUBERCULOSIS
  • TB

BONUS energy phrase

Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Lab are developing NWChem, a computational chemistry software capable of Hartree-Fock, DFT, and TD-DFT calculations. These calculations are primarily concerned with the behavior of what subatomic particle?

Acceptable Answers:

  • ELECTRON

TOSS-UP bio phrase

What is the term for sequence alterations within DNA that may result from errors in replication, exposure to radiation or chemicals, or viral infection?

Acceptable Answers:

  • MUTATIONS

BONUS bio phrase

What is the general term for viruses that infect prokaryotes?

Acceptable Answers:

  • BACTERIOPHAGES
  • PHAGES

TOSS-UP math phrase

What is the slope of a line perpendicular to the line with equation $$9x + 4y = 36$$?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 4/9

BONUS math phrase

What is the volume of a circular cone formed by rotating a right triangular region with legs of length 13 and 9 about its longer leg?

Acceptable Answers:

  • $$351\pi$$