MS Sample Set 7, Round 11 from NSB
Assuming that $a$ and $b$ are non-negative, simplify $$\sqrt{72a^4 b^3}\,. $$
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If $x$, $y$, and $z$ are three consecutive integers with $x<y<z$, evaluate the product $$(x - y)(x - z)(y - z)\,. $$
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Light passes through a rectangular slit in a box and produces a small spot of light on a screen at the back of the box. What is located between the slit in the box and the screen? W) A concave lens X) A convex lens Y) A prism Z) A flat piece of glass
W: W) A concave lens
X: X) A convex lens
Y: Y) A prism
Z: Z) A flat piece of glass
Answer: X) X) A convex lens
A ball moving at an initial velocity of 10 meters per second strikes head-on a similar ball initially at rest. Both balls have the same mass and the collision is perfectly elastic. What are the respective speeds of the initially moving and initially stationary ball in meters per second after the collision?
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Which of the following is forbidden by the Pauli exclusion principle? W) Neutrons in a nucleus out-numbering the protons X) Triple ionization of the lanthanide series Y) The sharing of more than one electron by any two atoms Z) Two electrons in the exact same state in an atomic shell
W: W) Neutrons in a nucleus out-numbering the protons
X: X) Triple ionization of the lanthanide series
Y: Y) The sharing of more than one electron by any two atoms
Z: Z) Two electrons in the exact same state in an atomic shell
Answer: Z) Z) Two electrons in the exact same state in an atomic shell
Which of the following electron configurations represents an excited-state energy level? W) [He] 2s² 2p⁵ X) [He] 2s² 2p⁴ 3s¹ Y) [Ne] 3s² Z) [Ne] 3s² 3p⁶
W: W) [He] 2s² 2p⁵
X: X) [He] 2s² 2p⁴ 3s¹
Y: Y) [Ne] 3s²
Z: Z) [Ne] 3s² 3p⁶
Answer: X) X) [He] 2s² 2p⁴ 3s¹
What is the hottest planet in our solar system, by surface temperature?
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Consider ocean water underlying sea ice with cold air above the sea ice. The rate at which heat flows out of ocean water is which of the following? W) Directly proportional to the temperature difference between the air and the water X) Directly proportional to the thickness of the ice layer Y) Constant once ocean water reaches –5 °C Z) Increased by the snow cover on top of the ice
W: W) Directly proportional to the temperature difference between the air and the water
X: X) Directly proportional to the thickness of the ice layer
Y: Y) Constant once ocean water reaches –5 °C
Z: Z) Increased by the snow cover on top of the ice
Answer: W) W) Directly proportional to the temperature difference between the air and the water
What is the ultimate purpose of the Calvin cycle? W) To convert carbon dioxide into sugars X) To convert waste products to oxygen Y) To convert sugars, fatty acids, and amino acids into ATP Z) To separate water into hydrogen and oxygen
W: W) To convert carbon dioxide into sugars
X: X) To convert waste products to oxygen
Y: Y) To convert sugars, fatty acids, and amino acids into ATP
Z: Z) To separate water into hydrogen and oxygen
Answer: W) W) To convert carbon dioxide into sugars
Which of the following fish exhibit protandry and are all male when hatched? W) Clownfish X) Platy Y) Tarpon Z) Indigo hamlet
W: W) Clownfish
X: X) Platy
Y: Y) Tarpon
Z: Z) Indigo hamlet
Answer: W) W) Clownfish
Who is considered the originator of alternating current in electricity transmission systems? W) Thomas Edison X) Nils Bohr Y) Albert Einstein Z) Nikola Tesla
W: W) Thomas Edison
X: X) Nils Bohr
Y: Y) Albert Einstein
Z: Z) Nikola Tesla
Answer: Z) Z) Nikola Tesla
Order from least to greatest the following four U.S. methane emissions by source for 2009: 1) Natural gas systems 2) Landfills 3) Petrochemical production 4) Abandoned underground coal mines
Choices:
Correct Order:
Providing your answer in scientific notation, simplify the quotient $$\frac{240,\!000}{2\times10^{-6}}\,. $$
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The sum of six integers is what percentage of the average of the six integers?
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At a particular temperature $T$ and pressure $P$, carbon dioxide is in the vapor phase. Which of the following is NOT possible if the pressure of the vapor is increased while the temperature stays the same? W) The vapor remains a vapor X) The vapor enters the compressible liquid phase Y) The vapor enters the solid phase without entering the liquid phase first Z) The vapor enters the solid phase and then enters the liquid phase
W: W) The vapor remains a vapor
X: X) The vapor enters the compressible liquid phase
Y: Y) The vapor enters the solid phase without entering the liquid phase first
Z: Z) The vapor enters the solid phase and then enters the liquid phase
Answer: Z) Z) The vapor enters the solid phase and then enters the liquid phase
Which of the following is true of periodic trends? W) The smaller the atom, the greater the ionization energy X) The larger the electronegativity, the smaller the ionization energy Y) Elements with the highest metallic character are located at the upper left corner of the periodic table Z) The process of removing an electron from an atom is always exothermic
W: W) The smaller the atom, the greater the ionization energy
X: X) The larger the electronegativity, the smaller the ionization energy
Y: Y) Elements with the highest metallic character are located at the upper left corner of the periodic table
Z: Z) The process of removing an electron from an atom is always exothermic
Answer: W) W) The smaller the atom, the greater the ionization energy
Which of the following is the most usable form of nitrogen for non-leguminous plants? W) Ammonia X) Nitrogen gas Y) Nitrites Z) Nitrates
W: W) Ammonia
X: X) Nitrogen gas
Y: Y) Nitrites
Z: Z) Nitrates
Answer: Z) Z) Nitrates
A block is being pulled up a ramp by a rope. The block experiences friction against the surface of the ramp. How many forces in total are acting on the block? W) 2 X) 3 Y) 4 Z) 5
W: W) 2
X: X) 3
Y: Y) 4
Z: Z) 5
Answer: Y) Y) 4
The tails of comets always do which of the following? W) Point away from the Sun X) Point towards the Sun Y) Point away from their direction of travel Z) Point in their direction of travel
W: W) Point away from the Sun
X: X) Point towards the Sun
Y: Y) Point away from their direction of travel
Z: Z) Point in their direction of travel
Answer: W) W) Point away from the Sun
Which of the following is true about the 2012 North Atlantic hurricane season? W) Two of the tropical storms occurred before the official June 1 beginning of hurricane season X) Four major hurricanes, categories 3 through 5, struck the East Coast Y) The exceptionally weak jet stream over the eastern portion of the nation could not push hurricanes off the East Coast Z) El Niño proved to be a major influence in suppressing overall storm activity
W: W) Two of the tropical storms occurred before the official June 1 beginning of hurricane season
X: X) Four major hurricanes, categories 3 through 5, struck the East Coast
Y: Y) The exceptionally weak jet stream over the eastern portion of the nation could not push hurricanes off the East Coast
Z: Z) El Niño proved to be a major influence in suppressing overall storm activity
Answer: W) W) Two of the tropical storms occurred before the official June 1 beginning of hurricane season
Which of the following animals would NOT be classified in the phylum Cnidaria? W) Portuguese man-of-war X) Ostrich plume hydroid Y) Aggregating anemone Z) Long-spined sea urchin
W: W) Portuguese man-of-war
X: X) Ostrich plume hydroid
Y: Y) Aggregating anemone
Z: Z) Long-spined sea urchin
Answer: Z) Z) Long-spined sea urchin
What is the name for viruses that infect only organisms in the domain Bacteria?
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Trophic levels describe energy flow in an ecosystem. Which of the following statements about trophic levels is NOT true? W) Every organism’s trophic level is determined by its feeding behavior X) Every organism’s trophic level remains the same throughout its life span Y) Energy flows from primary producers to consumers Z) Some plants can be consumers
W: W) Every organism’s trophic level is determined by its feeding behavior
X: X) Every organism’s trophic level remains the same throughout its life span
Y: Y) Energy flows from primary producers to consumers
Z: Z) Some plants can be consumers
Answer: X) X) Every organism’s trophic level remains the same throughout its life span
Compared to other methods of electricity production, hydroelectric power possesses all EXCEPT which of the following advantages? W) Low power cost X) Lack of air pollution Y) Flood prevention Z) Low environmental impact in case of disaster
W: W) Low power cost
X: X) Lack of air pollution
Y: Y) Flood prevention
Z: Z) Low environmental impact in case of disaster
Answer: Z) Z) Low environmental impact in case of disaster
Evaluate $$\cos60^\circ\;\sin45^\circ\,. $$
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In a class of 29 children, 20 children have a dog and 15 have a cat. What are the minimum number and maximum number, respectively, of children that could have both a dog and a cat?
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Which of the following is NOT true regarding radioactive decay? W) In gamma decay, no transmutation occurs X) Different isotopes of the same element will decay at the same rate Y) Radioactive decay may cause an atom to lose protons or neutrons Z) Radioactive decay is a process by which unstable atoms emit ionizing particles
W: W) In gamma decay, no transmutation occurs
X: X) Different isotopes of the same element will decay at the same rate
Y: Y) Radioactive decay may cause an atom to lose protons or neutrons
Z: Z) Radioactive decay is a process by which unstable atoms emit ionizing particles
Answer: X) X) Different isotopes of the same element will decay at the same rate
A seismograph measures a wave that compresses and dilates the Earth as it travels. The seismograph has measured what type of wave?
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What is the sum of the exterior angles of a triangle, one at each vertex?
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What is the length in units of the longest diagonal of a cube whose edge measures 5 units?
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How fast does the Sun rotate? W) Every 24 hours X) Every 31 days Y) Every 27 days Z) The Sun does not rotate
W: W) Every 24 hours
X: X) Every 31 days
Y: Y) Every 27 days
Z: Z) The Sun does not rotate
Answer: Y) Y) Every 27 days
Aerobraking is a method that can be used to slow a spacecraft down by having it drag through a planet’s atmosphere. Why couldn’t NASA use this method for the MESSENGER spacecraft? W) Mercury is too close to the Sun X) Mercury’s atmosphere has too much corrosive methane in it Y) Mercury has little to no atmosphere Z) Mercury has insufficient gravity to permit it
W: W) Mercury is too close to the Sun
X: X) Mercury’s atmosphere has too much corrosive methane in it
Y: Y) Mercury has little to no atmosphere
Z: Z) Mercury has insufficient gravity to permit it
Answer: Y) Y) Mercury has little to no atmosphere
While dissecting a plant in your botany class, which of the following tissues would you NOT see? W) Epidermis X) Xylem Y) Ectoderm Z) Sclerenchyma
W: W) Epidermis
X: X) Xylem
Y: Y) Ectoderm
Z: Z) Sclerenchyma
Answer: Y) Y) Ectoderm
In order to begin the digestive process, which of the following menu items would require the most salivary amylase? W) Spaghetti X) Green salad Y) Steamed clams Z) Fillet of fish
W: W) Spaghetti
X: X) Green salad
Y: Y) Steamed clams
Z: Z) Fillet of fish
Answer: W) W) Spaghetti
Which of the following can NOT produce genetic variation in a bacterial population? W) Transduction X) Transformation Y) Meiosis Z) Conjugation
W: W) Transduction
X: X) Transformation
Y: Y) Meiosis
Z: Z) Conjugation
Answer: Y) Y) Meiosis
All except which of the following are true of both mitochondria and chloroplasts? W) Both have their own genetic material separate from the cell nucleus X) Both divide at the same time as the cells in which they are found Y) Both use chemiosmosis to power energy conversions Z) Both reproduce through binary fission
W: W) Both have their own genetic material separate from the cell nucleus
X: X) Both divide at the same time as the cells in which they are found
Y: Y) Both use chemiosmosis to power energy conversions
Z: Z) Both reproduce through binary fission
Answer: X) X) Both divide at the same time as the cells in which they are found
Determine the value of the function $$(f/g)(4)$$ if $$f(x)=x^2+2x\quad\text{and}\quad g(x)=3x-5\,. $$
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If 150% of $5c$ is $b$, what percentage of $2b$ is $c$? W) $5\tfrac12\%$ X) $6\tfrac23\%$ Y) $15\%$ Z) $75\%$
W: W) $5\tfrac12\%$
X: X) $6\tfrac23\%$
Y: Y) $15\%$
Z: Z) $75\%$
Answer: X) X) $6\tfrac23\%$
Seismographs, used to keep track of earthquakes, use which of the following variables to measure earthquakes? W) The amplitude and frequency of water waves X) The rotational motion of the recording drum Y) The differential motion between two vibrating structures Z) The differential motion between a free mass and a supporting structure anchored to the ground
W: W) The amplitude and frequency of water waves
X: X) The rotational motion of the recording drum
Y: Y) The differential motion between two vibrating structures
Z: Z) The differential motion between a free mass and a supporting structure anchored to the ground
Answer: Z) Z) The differential motion between a free mass and a supporting structure anchored to the ground
Light with a frequency of $7.5\times10^{14}\,$Hz strikes a plate. What is this light’s wavelength, to the nearest 100 nanometers?
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Humans cannot completely digest plants because we cannot break down their cell walls. Which of the following is an enzyme you would expect to be present in an herbivore? W) Amylase X) Cellulase Y) Pepsin Z) Chymotrypsin
W: W) Amylase
X: X) Cellulase
Y: Y) Pepsin
Z: Z) Chymotrypsin
Answer: X) X) Cellulase
Which of the following is NOT an adaptation for deep-diving marine mammals? W) Increased extremity blood circulation X) Muscles containing high concentrations of myoglobin Y) Bradycardia Z) Apneustic breathing
W: W) Increased extremity blood circulation
X: X) Muscles containing high concentrations of myoglobin
Y: Y) Bradycardia
Z: Z) Apneustic breathing
Answer: W) W) Increased extremity blood circulation
Which of the following statements regarding Saturn is NOT true? W) It has a 29-year orbit around the Sun X) Its rotational axis is tilted 27° with respect to the orbital plane Y) Its seasons are about twice as long as corresponding seasons on Earth Z) Its rings are aligned with its equator
W: W) It has a 29-year orbit around the Sun
X: X) Its rotational axis is tilted 27° with respect to the orbital plane
Y: Y) Its seasons are about twice as long as corresponding seasons on Earth
Z: Z) Its rings are aligned with its equator
Answer: Y) Y) Its seasons are about twice as long as corresponding seasons on Earth
You are an astronaut on the space station looking down on the city of Seattle at night. You can see a few city lights but it is quite cloudy below. What method of remote sensing would you most likely use due to these conditions?
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Sharks do not have a swim bladder. What major organ controls buoyancy in sharks? W) Gallbladder X) Liver Y) Spiral organ Z) Lungs
W: W) Gallbladder
X: X) Liver
Y: Y) Spiral organ
Z: Z) Lungs
Answer: X) X) Liver
Aerobic organisms fuel their metabolism by reducing molecular oxygen through respiration. Some organisms are able to undergo anaerobic respiration, where another oxidized molecule is substituted for oxygen. Which of the following would be a good substitute for oxygen in anaerobic respiration? W) Sulfite X) Sulfoxide Y) Sulfate Z) Sulfide
W: W) Sulfite
X: X) Sulfoxide
Y: Y) Sulfate
Z: Z) Sulfide
Answer: Y) Y) Sulfate
According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy in 2007, renewable energy is one pillar of sustainable energy. What is the other pillar?
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Which of the following statements is NOT true about the Itaipu Dam? W) It is the largest operating hydroelectric facility in the world in terms of annual energy generation X) It is a binational undertaking Y) In 2009, the dam was damaged by a storm, temporarily blacking out the entire country of Paraguay Z) Its maximum height is equivalent to a 65-story building
W: W) It is the largest operating hydroelectric facility in the world in terms of annual energy generation
X: X) It is a binational undertaking
Y: Y) In 2009, the dam was damaged by a storm, temporarily blacking out the entire country of Paraguay
Z: Z) Its maximum height is equivalent to a 65-story building
Answer: Y) Y) In 2009, the dam was damaged by a storm, temporarily blacking out the entire country of Paraguay
A wild population of daisies exists where flowers are either white ($rr$) or red ($RR$). Assuming that bees cross-pollinate equally well between white and red flowers as they pollinate white or red flowers directly, what genotypes would you expect to be present in year 2?
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Which of the following can NOT be classified in the class Cephalopoda? W) Squid X) Cuttlefish Y) Nudibranch Z) Chambered nautilus
W: W) Squid
X: X) Cuttlefish
Y: Y) Nudibranch
Z: Z) Chambered nautilus
Answer: Y) Y) Nudibranch