MS Sample Set 12, Round 16 from NSB

Questions in Packet

TOSS-UP energy phrase

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Lab found that exposing a solution of guanidine to air resulted in the formation of carbonate crystals, indicating absorption of what atmospheric compound?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CARBON DIOXIDE
  • CO2

BONUS energy phrase

Researchers at Lawrence Berkley National Lab are using the Advanced Light Source to study how a group of highly porous organic materials can capture heavy metal cations and sequester them away. What is the term for this large group of compounds?

Acceptable Answers:

  • METAL-ORGANIC FRAMEWORKS
  • MOFs

TOSS-UP phys phrase

Capacitance describes the ratio of the electric charge stored in a capacitor to what quantity?

Acceptable Answers:

  • VOLTAGE
  • ELECTRIC POTENTIAL

BONUS phys phrase

A 4-kilogram block moving at 3 meters per second collides elastically with a 2-kilogram block at rest. In meters per second, what is the final velocity of the lighter block?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 4

TOSS-UP ess phrase

What measure of angular distance is the celestial equivalent of latitude?

Acceptable Answers:

  • DECLINATION

BONUS ess multiselect

Identify all of the following three statements that are true of gas giants in our solar system: 1) They have a lower density than terrestrial planets; 2) They have a slower rotational period than terrestrial planets; 3) They all have rings.

Choices:

  • They have a lower density than terrestrial planets
  • They have a slower rotational period than terrestrial planets
  • They all have rings

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 3

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Which part of a dicot seed has the greatest concentration of carbohydrates? W) Cotyledon X) Seed coat Y) Endosperm Z) Epicotyl

W: W) Cotyledon

X: X) Seed coat

Y: Y) Endosperm

Z: Z) Epicotyl

Answer: Y) Y) Endosperm

BONUS bio multiselect

Identify all of the following three amino acids that, when found on the surface of a protein, increase its water solubility: 1) Arginine; 2) Isoleucine; 3) Valine.

Choices:

  • Arginine
  • Isoleucine
  • Valine

Correct Answers:

  • 1

TOSS-UP phys phrase

What are the chemical formulas for the products of the autoprotolysis of water?

Acceptable Answers:

  • H3O+ and OH–

DO NOT ACCEPT:

  • H+

BONUS phys multiple_choice

In any given row of the periodic table, which of the following families typically has the largest neutral atomic radius? W) Alkali metals X) Alkaline earth metals Y) Halogens Z) Noble gases

W: W) Alkali metals

X: X) Alkaline earth metals

Y: Y) Halogens

Z: Z) Noble gases

Answer: W) W) Alkali metals

TOSS-UP math phrase

The measure of an exterior angle of a regular polygon is 15 degrees. How many sides does the polygon have?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 24

BONUS math multiple_choice

Which of the following is a factor of the polynomial $2x^3 - 7x^2 - 10x + 24$? W) $x + 1$ X) $x + 2$ Y) $x + 3$ Z) $x + 4$

W: W) $x + 1$

X: X) $x + 2$

Y: Y) $x + 3$

Z: Z) $x + 4$

Answer: X) X) $x + 2$

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

What astronomical term is used to describe the high-luminosity end of the observed main-sequence stars in a given cluster? W) Main-sequence threshold mass X) Main-sequence turnoff point Y) Main-sequence temperature limit Z) Main-sequence horizontal branch

W: W) Main-sequence threshold mass

X: X) Main-sequence turnoff point

Y: Y) Main-sequence temperature limit

Z: Z) Main-sequence horizontal branch

Answer: X) X) Main-sequence turnoff point

BONUS ess phrase

What type of spiral galaxy has an active galactic nucleus that is highly luminous and has a uniquely specific spectrum?

Acceptable Answers:

  • SEYFERT GALAXY

TOSS-UP energy multiple_choice

DOE researchers have been studying metastable materials, such as diamond. These materials are not thermodynamically stable but take a long time to be converted to more stable forms. Which of the following best explains why? W) The products have higher delta G values X) The products have lower delta G values Y) The activation energy for conversion is very high Z) The activation energy for conversion is very low

W: W) The products have higher delta G values

X: X) The products have lower delta G values

Y: Y) The activation energy for conversion is very high

Z: Z) The activation energy for conversion is very low

Answer: Y) Y) The activation energy for conversion is very high

BONUS energy multiple_choice

Scientists at SLAC are studying excited state proton transfers by using light produced in the Linac Coherent Light Source to excite molecules of 2-thiopyridone. Their observations are most relevant to what system? W) DNA damage by ultraviolet light X) Lightfastness of textile dyes Y) Buffering by organic bases Z) Acidity of superacids

W: W) DNA damage by ultraviolet light

X: X) Lightfastness of textile dyes

Y: Y) Buffering by organic bases

Z: Z) Acidity of superacids

Answer: W) W) DNA damage by ultraviolet light

TOSS-UP math phrase

Besides itself, what is the largest integer factor of 459?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 153

BONUS math phrase

A bag contains 13 different mini candy bars. How many different sets of 3 of them can be selected?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 286

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

A scientist discovers a new single-cell organism that can concurrently produce mRNA from DNA and read the mRNA to produce protein. What is the likeliest classification of this organism? W) Fungi X) Bacteria Y) Protozoa Z) Algae

W: W) Fungi

X: X) Bacteria

Y: Y) Protozoa

Z: Z) Algae

Answer: X) X) Bacteria

BONUS bio phrase

Algae do not have distinct organs like plants do, but brown algae possess a root-like structure used to attach to surfaces. What is the name for this structure?

Acceptable Answers:

  • HOLDFAST

TOSS-UP ess multiselect

Identify all of the following three rock types that may contain the mineral quartz: 1) Igneous; 2) Sedimentary; 3) Metamorphic.

Choices:

  • Igneous
  • Sedimentary
  • Metamorphic

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following minerals will NEVER fizz and release CO2 as a result of applying hydrochloric acid? W) Calcite X) Aragonite Y) Dolomite Z) Anhydrite

W: W) Calcite

X: X) Aragonite

Y: Y) Dolomite

Z: Z) Anhydrite

Answer: Z) Z) Anhydrite

TOSS-UP energy multiple_choice

Which of the following is not a contributor to increased power generation from a wind turbine? W) Greater hub height X) Onshore location Y) Greater rotor diameter Z) Offshore location

W: W) Greater hub height

X: X) Onshore location

Y: Y) Greater rotor diameter

Z: Z) Offshore location

Answer: X) X) Onshore location

BONUS energy multiselect

Identify all of the following three terms that apply to a Leclanche zinc-carbon battery: 1) Secondary cell; 2) Dry cell; 3) Rechargeable.

Choices:

  • Secondary cell
  • Dry cell
  • Rechargeable

Correct Answers:

  • 2

TOSS-UP math multiselect

A polyhedron has 5 faces. Identify all of the following three types of polyhedra it could be: 1) Regular polyhedron; 2) Prism; 3) Pyramid.

Choices:

  • Regular polyhedron
  • Prism
  • Pyramid

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3

BONUS math phrase

What is the area of a triangle with sides of length 9, 9, and 8?

Acceptable Answers:

  • $4\sqrt{65}$

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Mammals became dominant after a mass extinction at the end of what period? W) Devonian X) Permian Y) Triassic Z) Cretaceous

W: W) Devonian

X: X) Permian

Y: Y) Triassic

Z: Z) Cretaceous

Answer: Z) Z) Cretaceous

BONUS bio phrase

You bang your elbow by accident, and your whole forearm begins to tingle. What nerve is responsible for you “hitting your funny bone?”

Acceptable Answers:

  • ULNAR NERVE

TOSS-UP ess phrase

Different colors of light have slightly different indices of refraction, resulting in slightly different focal points. What is the adjective for the aberration that arises due to this physical phenomenon?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CHROMATIC

BONUS ess multiselect

Identify all of the following three statements that are true of Cepheid variables: 1) Most Cepheid variables are less than ten solar masses; 2) Longer-period Cepheid stars are more luminous than shorter-period Cepheid stars; 3) The fastest known Cepheid star has a period of 3 years.

Choices:

  • Most Cepheid variables are less than ten solar masses
  • Longer-period Cepheid stars are more luminous than shorter-period Cepheid stars
  • The fastest known Cepheid star has a period of 3 years

Correct Answers:

  • 2

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

A student is preparing 500 milliliters of a 6-millimolar solution of copper (II) sulfate. Which of the following pieces of glassware would be best for the most precise measurement of 500 milliliters of this solution? W) Volumetric flask X) Erlenmeyer flask Y) Graduated cylinder Z) Beaker

W: W) Volumetric flask

X: X) Erlenmeyer flask

Y: Y) Graduated cylinder

Z: Z) Beaker

Answer: W) W) Volumetric flask

BONUS phys phrase

Nitrogen dioxide gas reacts with fluorine gas to form nitryl fluoride, FNO₂. What is the sum of the coefficients of this balanced chemical reaction?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 5

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT a commonly-used model organism? W) Drosophila melanogaster X) Mus musculus Y) Caenorhabditis elegans Z) Homo habilis

W: W) Drosophila melanogaster

X: X) Mus musculus

Y: Y) Caenorhabditis elegans

Z: Z) Homo habilis

Answer: Z) Z) Homo habilis

BONUS bio multiple_choice

Which of the following locations in a chloroplast has the highest acidity? W) Granum X) Thylakoid lumen Y) Stroma Z) Intermembrane space

W: W) Granum

X: X) Thylakoid lumen

Y: Y) Stroma

Z: Z) Intermembrane space

Answer: X) X) Thylakoid lumen

TOSS-UP math phrase

Solve the following equation for x: \(\lvert x - 6\rvert = 7\).

Acceptable Answers:

  • –1, 13

BONUS math phrase

A right circular cone has volume 72. A second cone has one-third the radius and six times the height of the first. What is the volume of the second cone?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 48

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Working in the field you encounter a series of fossil-rich sedimentary layers. You identify: paradoxides trilobites, mucrospirifer brachiopods, horn corals, and crinoids. You recognize them as index fossils representing what era of geologic time? W) Precambrian X) Paleozoic Y) Mesozoic Z) Cenozoic

W: W) Precambrian

X: X) Paleozoic

Y: Y) Mesozoic

Z: Z) Cenozoic

Answer: X) X) Paleozoic

BONUS ess multiselect

Identify all of the following three comparisons of hurricanes and tornadoes that are true: 1) In the Northern Hemisphere, hurricanes and tornadoes both rotate clockwise; 2) Tornadoes typically require a significant temperature gradient to form, while hurricanes do not; 3) The maximum sustained wind speeds of the strongest observed tornadoes are greater than those of the strongest observed hurricanes.

Choices:

  • In the Northern Hemisphere, hurricanes and tornadoes both rotate clockwise
  • Tornadoes typically require a significant temperature gradient to form, while hurricanes do not
  • The maximum sustained wind speeds of the strongest observed tornadoes are greater than those of the strongest observed hurricanes

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3

TOSS-UP phys phrase

For a concave mirror, what is the term for the point through which all rays parallel to the optical axis are reflected?

Acceptable Answers:

  • FOCAL POINT

BONUS phys multiselect

Identify all of the following three statements that are true of magnetism: 1) Magnetic fields are produced by stationary and moving charges; 2) Magnetic fields cannot exert forces on moving charges; 3) A wire with a current traveling through it generates a magnetic field.

Choices:

  • Magnetic fields are produced by stationary and moving charges
  • Magnetic fields cannot exert forces on moving charges
  • A wire with a current traveling through it generates a magnetic field

Correct Answers:

  • 3

TOSS-UP math phrase

A group of 12 people took a trivia test. Jack’s score of 55 ranked him 7th on the list, right after Jill. If the median of all scores was 61.5, what was Jill’s score?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 68

BONUS math phrase

Six different 4-digit numbers can be formed from the digits 2, 2, 3, 3. What is the sum of those 6 numbers?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 16665

TOSS-UP bio phrase

A scientist has fluorescently labelled enzymes of the Calvin cycle. To what organelle does the color localize?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CHLOROPLAST

BONUS bio phrase

Antidiuretic hormone acts by stimulating the production of water channels in the kidney. What are these channels called?

Acceptable Answers:

  • AQUAPORINS

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

In commercial bronze, which of the following terms best describes the copper? W) Alloy X) Mixture Y) Solute Z) Solvent

W: W) Alloy

X: X) Mixture

Y: Y) Solute

Z: Z) Solvent

Answer: Z) Z) Solvent

BONUS phys phrase

What catalyzed process is used to create ammonia from hydrogen and nitrogen gas?

Acceptable Answers:

  • HABER PROCESS
  • HABER-BOSCH