HS Sample Set 16, Round 4 from NSB

Questions in Packet

TOSS-UP math multiple_choice

When graphed in the complex plane, which of the following is the best description of the graph of all the complex solutions to the equation $$x^6 - 64 = 0$$? W) One point X) Two points Y) The vertices of a regular hexagon Z) A circle

W: W) One point

X: X) Two points

Y: Y) The vertices of a regular hexagon

Z: Z) A circle

Answer: Y) Y) The vertices of a regular hexagon

BONUS math phrase

What is the slope-intercept form of the equation of the slant asymptote of the function $$f(x) = \frac{4x^2 - 10x}{2x + 1}\,?$$

Acceptable Answers:

  • y = 2x – 6

TOSS-UP phys phrase

Of the different types of heat transfer, which is responsible for transferring the most heat from the Sun to Earth?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Radiation

BONUS phys phrase

What principle states that when waves occupy the same space at the same time, their displacements add together?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Superposition

TOSS-UP bio phrase

A nonsense mutation occurs when a codon coding for an amino acid is changed to what type of codon?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Stop
  • Termination

BONUS bio multiple_choice

Which of the following is the limiting factor for photosynthesis rate in most plants? W) Insolation X) Humidity Y) Manganese concentration Z) Atmospheric carbon dioxide

W: W) Insolation

X: X) Humidity

Y: Y) Manganese concentration

Z: Z) Atmospheric carbon dioxide

Answer: Z) Z) Atmospheric carbon dioxide

TOSS-UP chem phrase

If a reaction is second order with respect to the concentration of A, by what factor would the rate of the reaction be multiplied if the concentration of A were quartered?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 1/16
  • 0.0625

BONUS chem multiple_choice

Which of the following electron configurations is correct for neutral copper? W) [Ar] 4s² 3d⁹ X) [Ar] 4s¹ 3d¹⁰ Y) [Ar] 3d¹¹ 3d⁹ Z) [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4p¹

W: W) [Ar] 4s² 3d⁹

X: X) [Ar] 4s¹ 3d¹⁰

Y: Y) [Ar] 3d¹¹ 3d⁹

Z: Z) [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4p¹

Answer: X) X) [Ar] 4s¹ 3d¹⁰

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

A binary star system appears as a single point of light, but the presence of a second star can be determined from changes in the Doppler shift of its spectral absorption lines. What type of binary is this? W) Astrometric X) Eclipsing Y) Spectroscopic Z) Visual

W: W) Astrometric

X: X) Eclipsing

Y: Y) Spectroscopic

Z: Z) Visual

Answer: Y) Y) Spectroscopic

BONUS ess multiselect

Identify all of the following three types of galaxies that are expected to have substantial ongoing star formation: 1) Elliptical 2) Spiral 3) Irregular

Choices:

  • Elliptical
  • Spiral
  • Irregular

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3

TOSS-UP energy phrase

Argonne National Lab researchers are studying the charge-separation mechanisms in the light reactions of bacterial photosynthesis. One of the main products of this reaction is what cofactor, which acts as a reducing agent during carbon fixation?

Acceptable Answers:

  • NADPH

DO NOT ACCEPT:

  • NADP⁺, NADP

BONUS energy phrase

Researchers at Ames Lab have developed a new refrigeration technology based on magnetocaloric cooling for commercial use. If a refrigerator removes 30 Joules from a low-temperature reservoir and adds 50 Joules to a high-temperature reservoir each cycle, then what is its coefficient of performance?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 1.5
  • 3/2
  • 1 1/2

TOSS-UP math phrase

The volume of a right circular cone is 12. What is the new volume if the height remains constant and the radius of the base is doubled?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 48

BONUS math phrase

If the line tangent to the graph of the differentiable function \(f(x)\) at the point \((-2, 6.5)\) passes through the point \((9.5, -3)\), then what is \(f'(-2)\)?

Acceptable Answers:

  • -\tfrac{19}{23}

TOSS-UP phys order

Rank the following three processes in increasing order of the temperature at which they occur at standard pressure: 1) Ice melts 2) Dry ice sublimates 3) Helium boils

Choices:

  • Ice melts
  • Dry ice sublimates
  • Helium boils

Correct Order:

  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

BONUS phys multiselect

Identify all of the following three devices that, on their own, can convert AC current to DC current: 1) Diode 2) Rectifier 3) Transformer

Choices:

  • Diode
  • Rectifier
  • Transformer

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 2

TOSS-UP bio phrase

What cytoskeletal component is the major constituent of the mitotic spindle apparatus?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Microtubules

DO NOT ACCEPT:

  • Microfilaments

BONUS bio multiselect

Identify all of the following three statements that are true of parthenogenesis: 1) Parthenogenesis involves budding 2) Parthenogenesis involves the development of unfertilized eggs into offspring 3) Parthenogenesis can create a genetic clone of the parent

Choices:

  • Parthenogenesis involves budding
  • Parthenogenesis involves the development of unfertilized eggs into offspring
  • Parthenogenesis can create a genetic clone of the parent

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3

TOSS-UP chem phrase

Rishi graphs the pressure exerted by an ideal gas on its chamber on the y-axis and its temperature in degrees Celsius on the x-axis. To the nearest degree Celsius, what is the x-intercept of this graph?

Acceptable Answers:

  • -273

BONUS chem multiple_choice

Which of the following solids is more soluble in one-molar hydrochloric acid than it is in pure water? W) Barium sulfate X) Barium bromide Y) Calcium hydrogen phosphate Z) Calcium chloride

W: W) Barium sulfate

X: X) Barium bromide

Y: Y) Calcium hydrogen phosphate

Z: Z) Calcium chloride

Answer: Y) Y) Calcium hydrogen phosphate

TOSS-UP ess phrase

Before the evolution of photosynthesis, small amounts of oxygen were produced when UV radiation split water into hydrogen and oxygen gas. What is the general term for this reaction?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Photolysis
  • Photodissociation
  • Photodecomposition

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is an example of a plate boundary that may have both deep- and shallow-focus earthquakes? W) Transform X) Continent-continent convergent Y) Ocean-continent convergent Z) Ocean-ocean divergent

W: W) Transform

X: X) Continent-continent convergent

Y: Y) Ocean-continent convergent

Z: Z) Ocean-ocean divergent

Answer: Y) Y) Ocean-continent convergent

TOSS-UP energy phrase

Scientists at Ames Lab are studying the interactions between gold nanoparticles and the heteroatom in butane-thiol. What element is this heteroatom?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Sulfur

BONUS energy multiple_choice

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility are using Monte Carlo methods to evaluate integrals in very high-dimensional spaces. Which of the following best explains the advantage of Monte Carlo techniques in these settings? W) Direct integration techniques are too computationally intensive in high dimensions X) Monte Carlo integration is known to be more accurate than direct integration Y) Monte Carlo techniques are easier to combine with machine learning methods Z) Direct integration techniques are susceptible to numerical overflow in high dimensions

W: W) Direct integration techniques are too computationally intensive in high dimensions

X: X) Monte Carlo integration is known to be more accurate than direct integration

Y: Y) Monte Carlo techniques are easier to combine with machine learning methods

Z: Z) Direct integration techniques are susceptible to numerical overflow in high dimensions

Answer: W) W) Direct integration techniques are too computationally intensive in high dimensions

TOSS-UP math phrase

8 is one-fourth percent of what number?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 3200

BONUS math phrase

If \(x\) is proportional to \(y\) and inversely proportional to \(z^2\), and if \(x = 3\) when \(y = 4\) and \(z = 8\), what is the value of \(x\) when \(y = 6\) and \(z = 10\)?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 72/25
  • 2.88
  • 2 22/25

TOSS-UP phys phrase

You are pushing your broken car to prevent it from sliding down a hill. Unfortunately, as you apply 300 newtons of force directly up the hill, the car slides 4 meters down the hill. In joules, how much work have you performed on the car during this period?

Acceptable Answers:

  • -1200

DO NOT ACCEPT:

  • 1200

BONUS phys multiple_choice

In a carnival ride, participants stand in an upright cylindrical room that starts rotating rapidly, and they end up pressed against the walls with their feet above the ground. Which of the following forces balances the gravity on the riders? W) Normal force X) Frictional force Y) Centripetal force Z) Centrifugal force

W: W) Normal force

X: X) Frictional force

Y: Y) Centripetal force

Z: Z) Centrifugal force

Answer: X) X) Frictional force

TOSS-UP bio phrase

Plasma cells and their precursors, plasmablasts, are differentiated forms of what type of lymphocyte?

Acceptable Answers:

  • B cell
  • B
  • B lymphocyte

BONUS bio multiselect

Identify all of the following three types of interactions that are examples of symbiosis: 1) Commensalism 2) Mutualism 3) Parasitism

Choices:

  • Commensalism
  • Mutualism
  • Parasitism

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

TOSS-UP chem multiple_choice

Which of the following thermodynamic properties necessarily implies that a reaction is spontaneous? W) Negative ΔG X) Negative ΔH Y) Positive ΔS Z) Positive W

W: W) Negative ΔG

X: X) Negative ΔH

Y: Y) Positive ΔS

Z: Z) Positive W

Answer: W) W) Negative ΔG

BONUS chem phrase

A certain electrochemical cell has a standard cell potential of 1.5 volts for a reaction that transfers 3 electrons. To two significant figures and in kilojoules, what is the standard Gibbs free energy change of this cell?

Acceptable Answers:

  • -430

DO NOT ACCEPT:

  • 430

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following weathering processes is due to pressure release? W) Exfoliation X) Growth of salt crystals Y) Thermal expansion and contraction Z) Hydrolysis and oxidation

W: W) Exfoliation

X: X) Growth of salt crystals

Y: Y) Thermal expansion and contraction

Z: Z) Hydrolysis and oxidation

Answer: W) W) Exfoliation

BONUS ess multiselect

Identify all of the following three statements that are true of augite: 1) It is an example of a pyroxene 2) It has one direction of cleavage 3) It is found in basalt

Choices:

  • It is an example of a pyroxene
  • It has one direction of cleavage
  • It is found in basalt

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 3

TOSS-UP energy phrase

Scientists at the Joint BioEnergy Institute are developing methods to break down the second-most-abundant polymer found in wood for biofuel production. What is the name of this difficult-to-break-down polymer?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Lignin

BONUS energy phrase

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Lab are producing neutrons via spallation. Normally, these neutrons are then slowed down by passing them through a certain type of material before they are used for neutron imaging. What is the term for materials that demonstrate this behavior?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Moderator