HS Sample Set 1, Round 13 from NSB

Questions in Packet

TOSS-UP bio phrase

What is the common name for the 27-carbon lipid whose synthesis is in part regulated by HMG CoA reductase and is the basic starting point for estrogen synthesis?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CHOLESTEROL

BONUS bio multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT true regarding ribosomes: W) they are about 20 nanometers in diameter X) eukaryotic ribosomes are slightly larger than prokaryotic ribosomes Y) mitochondrial ribosomes have 40S small subunits Z) they are found in chloroplasts

W: W) they are about 20 nanometers in diameter

X: X) eukaryotic ribosomes are slightly larger than prokaryotic ribosomes

Y: Y) mitochondrial ribosomes have 40S small subunits

Z: Z) they are found in chloroplasts

Answer: Y) Y) mitochondrial ribosomes have 40S small subunits

TOSS-UP chem multiple_choice

Which of the following has a melting point of 185ºC and readily dissolves in water at room temperature, but is NOT an electrolyte: W) NaCl X) decane Y) methane Z) sucrose

W: W) NaCl

X: X) decane

Y: Y) methane

Z: Z) sucrose

Answer: Z) Z) sucrose

BONUS chem phrase

Give the systematic chemical name for the following ionic compound: Cr₂(SeO₄)₃

Acceptable Answers:

  • CHROMIUM(III) SELENATE

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Which of the following BEST describes the Balmer series: W) a series of quantum numbers indicating certain energy levels X) hydrogen atom spectral line emission Y) a sequence of elements that are produced chronologically in supernovae Z) the energy spectrum of the early universe

W: W) a series of quantum numbers indicating certain energy levels

X: X) hydrogen atom spectral line emission

Y: Y) a sequence of elements that are produced chronologically in supernovae

Z: Z) the energy spectrum of the early universe

Answer: X) X) hydrogen atom spectral line emission

BONUS phys phrase

According to the Standard Model of Particle Physics, through what force would the top quark decay?

Acceptable Answers:

  • WEAK FORCE
  • WEAK, WEAK INTERACTION

TOSS-UP math phrase

Express 600º in radians as a reduced fraction in terms of π.

Acceptable Answers:

  • 10π/3

BONUS math phrase

Giving your answers in terms of π and in inches squared, find the total surface area of a closed right circular cone whose altitude is 8 inches and radius is 6 inches.

Acceptable Answers:

  • 96π

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is the single most important factor that generally sets a northern limit to tree growth, such as in the areas of transition between taiga and tundra in Alaska: W) high-winter winds X) lack of summer warmth Y) lack of spring moisture Z) lack of soil nutrients

W: W) high-winter winds

X: X) lack of summer warmth

Y: Y) lack of spring moisture

Z: Z) lack of soil nutrients

Answer: X) X) lack of summer warmth

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT true of an El Niño: W) when an El Niño is present, fish are less abundant off the west coast of South America X) El Niños typically come along every 4 to 5 years Y) during a peak El Niño, strong high pressure will be present in the eastern Pacific with lower pressure to the west Z) El Niño affects global weather patterns

W: W) when an El Niño is present, fish are less abundant off the west coast of South America

X: X) El Niños typically come along every 4 to 5 years

Y: Y) during a peak El Niño, strong high pressure will be present in the eastern Pacific with lower pressure to the west

Z: Z) El Niño affects global weather patterns

Answer: Y) Y) during a peak El Niño, strong high pressure will be present in the eastern Pacific with lower pressure to the west

TOSS-UP general phrase

Pitchblende is one of the main ores of what element?

Acceptable Answers:

  • URANIUM

BONUS general order

Order the following 3 temperature values from the COOLEST to the WARMEST: 32ºC; 85ºF; 310 K

Choices:

  • 32ºC
  • 85ºF
  • 310 K

Correct Order:

  • 2
  • 1
  • 3

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

The BEST explanation of why Population I stars have a higher proportion of elements heavier than helium than Population II stars is because Population I stars are: W) younger than Population II stars X) older than Population II stars Y) usually closer to planetary nebula than Population II stars Z) often found near H-I regions

W: W) younger than Population II stars

X: X) older than Population II stars

Y: Y) usually closer to planetary nebula than Population II stars

Z: Z) often found near H-I regions

Answer: W) W) younger than Population II stars

BONUS ess phrase

How many sidereal minutes are in 7.5 sidereal hours?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 450

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT true of globular proteins in mammals: W) most are soluble in water X) some serve as transport molecules in the plasma Y) plasma enzymes typically have an optimal operating pH of about 6.8 to 7.0 Z) most protein hormones are globular

W: W) most are soluble in water

X: X) some serve as transport molecules in the plasma

Y: Y) plasma enzymes typically have an optimal operating pH of about 6.8 to 7.0

Z: Z) most protein hormones are globular

Answer: Y) Y) plasma enzymes typically have an optimal operating pH of about 6.8 to 7.0

BONUS bio phrase

During photorespiration, the plant enzyme RuBisCO will bind what molecular substance rather than carbon dioxide?

Acceptable Answers:

  • OXYGEN
  • O₂

TOSS-UP chem multiple_choice

Which of the following is a substance whose molecular and empirical formulas are NOT the same: W) benzene X) water Y) ammonia Z) sulfur dioxide

W: W) benzene

X: X) water

Y: Y) ammonia

Z: Z) sulfur dioxide

Answer: W) W) benzene

BONUS chem multiple_choice

Which of the following is a molecule with a square pyramidal molecular geometry around its central atom: W) PCl₅ X) ClF₅ Y) XeF₄ Z) SF₆

W: W) PCl₅

X: X) ClF₅

Y: Y) XeF₄

Z: Z) SF₆

Answer: X) X) ClF₅

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Which of the following has the lowest refractive index at STP: W) diamond X) water Y) dry air Z) a perfect vacuum

W: W) diamond

X: X) water

Y: Y) dry air

Z: Z) a perfect vacuum

Answer: Z) Z) a perfect vacuum

BONUS phys phrase

Rounded to the nearest hundred joules, how much work is done in pulling a sled across a pond for 3 meters with 100 newtons of force, with a rope that makes a 45º angle with the pond?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 200

TOSS-UP math phrase

Find the center of the circle given by the following equation: x² + y² + 4x + 16y + 3 = 0

Acceptable Answers:

  • (–2, –8)

BONUS math phrase

What are the coordinates of the vertex in the graph of the following equation: y = 4x² + 8x – 5

Acceptable Answers:

  • (–1, –9)

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is a fine-grained silica-rich sedimentary rock that is made primarily of microcrystalline quartz: W) shale X) potash Y) dolostone Z) chert

W: W) shale

X: X) potash

Y: Y) dolostone

Z: Z) chert

Answer: Z) Z) chert

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is a foliated metamorphic rock composed of very fine-grained mica: W) marble X) phyllite Y) quartzite Z) schist

W: W) marble

X: X) phyllite

Y: Y) quartzite

Z: Z) schist

Answer: X) X) phyllite

TOSS-UP general multiple_choice

The largest deposits of diatomite, or diatomaceous earth, are typically found in which of the following regions of the U.S.: W) western X) eastern Y) midwest Z) southern

W: W) western

X: X) eastern

Y: Y) midwest

Z: Z) southern

Answer: W) W) western

BONUS general multiple_choice

Diatomite, or diatomaceous earth, is readily available in the U.S. and is used primarily for which of the following functions: W) soil improvement X) crushed stone Y) filtering agent Z) lubricant

W: W) soil improvement

X: X) crushed stone

Y: Y) filtering agent

Z: Z) lubricant

Answer: Y) Y) filtering agent

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is closest to the range for the Balmer series: W) microwave X) infrared through UV Y) UV to soft x-ray Z) visible light to UV

W: W) microwave

X: X) infrared through UV

Y: Y) UV to soft x-ray

Z: Z) visible light to UV

Answer: Z) Z) visible light to UV

BONUS ess phrase

Choosing from upper right, lower right, lower left, and upper left, in what area of the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram will the Sun end its life?

Acceptable Answers:

  • LOWER LEFT

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Which of the following is most directly responsible for the colloid osmotic pressure in humans that acts to retain fluid in the vascular system: W) albumin X) sodium ions Y) calcium ions Z) potassium ions

W: W) albumin

X: X) sodium ions

Y: Y) calcium ions

Z: Z) potassium ions

Answer: W) W) albumin

BONUS bio multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT true of the most common form of DNA: W) it is a right-handed helix X) it has 3.4 nanometers between each successive nucleotide base of the same strand Y) the strands are considered anti-parallel Z) each strand has a 3-prime phosphate and a 5-prime hydroxyl at opposite ends

W: W) it is a right-handed helix

X: X) it has 3.4 nanometers between each successive nucleotide base of the same strand

Y: Y) the strands are considered anti-parallel

Z: Z) each strand has a 3-prime phosphate and a 5-prime hydroxyl at opposite ends

Answer: Z) Z) each strand has a 3-prime phosphate and a 5-prime hydroxyl at opposite ends

TOSS-UP chem multiple_choice

An organic compound with the formula C₆H₁₄ is an: W) alkane X) alkene Y) alkyne Z) arene

W: W) alkane

X: X) alkene

Y: Y) alkyne

Z: Z) arene

Answer: W) W) alkane

BONUS chem multiple_choice

Which of the following gases has the highest effusion rate through a pinhole opening from one compartment to another and at room temperature: W) argon X) CO₂ Y) SO₂ Z) helium

W: W) argon

X: X) CO₂

Y: Y) SO₂

Z: Z) helium

Answer: Z) Z) helium

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Which of the following did J. J. Thomson use that primarily led him to conclude that electrons were basic particles of atoms and carried electric charge: W) a compass and batteries X) a solenoid Y) cathode ray tubes Z) electromagnets

W: W) a compass and batteries

X: X) a solenoid

Y: Y) cathode ray tubes

Z: Z) electromagnets

Answer: Y) Y) cathode ray tubes

BONUS phys phrase

Consider a satellite that is a uniform sphere rotating about its axis. What is its moment of inertia, giving your answer in scientific notation and in kilogram meters squared, if it has a mass of 10,000 kilograms and a diameter of 200 meters?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 4 × 10⁷

TOSS-UP math phrase

For the function f(x) = 1/x, what is f '(5)?

Acceptable Answers:

  • –1/25

BONUS math phrase

An object is launched straight up from the ground with an initial velocity of 176 feet per second. What is the height of the object above the ground, in feet, 2 seconds into the flight?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 288

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Meteorologists think of wind as circulation patterns which are divided into 4 “scales of motion”. A land-breeze circulation is grouped into which of the following categories: W) mesoscale X) microscale Y) medium scale Z) synoptic

W: W) mesoscale

X: X) microscale

Y: Y) medium scale

Z: Z) synoptic

Answer: X) X) microscale

BONUS ess multiple_choice

If the air temperature is 0ºF and the wind speed is 10 miles per hour, which of the following is closest to the wind chill, in degrees Fahrenheit: W) 10 X) 0 Y) –10 Z) –20

W: W) 10

X: X) 0

Y: Y) –10

Z: Z) –20

Answer: Z) Z) –20

TOSS-UP general multiple_choice

Which of the following anthropogenic air pollutants is the major contributor to reduced visibility in most regions of the U.S., excluding fires and dust: W) elemental carbon X) hydrogen sulfide Y) sulfate particles Z) lead

W: W) elemental carbon

X: X) hydrogen sulfide

Y: Y) sulfate particles

Z: Z) lead

Answer: Y) Y) sulfate particles

BONUS general phrase

What is the most common name for the edible vegetable oil that is derived from cultivars of rapeseed plants and is low in erucic acid?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CANOLA OIL
  • CANOLA

TOSS-UP ess phrase

Giving your answer in decimal form, what would the “Z” value be if a distant celestial object were shifted towards longer wavelengths by 40% of the original wavelength?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 0.4

BONUS ess phrase

If a planet had an orbital period of 11.2 years, what is the length of its orbital semi-major axis, in astronomical units rounded to the nearest whole number?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 5

TOSS-UP bio multiselect

Name all of the following 3 choices that are chemoautotrophs: Nitrosomonas; Paramecium; Volvox

Choices:

  • Nitrosomonas
  • Paramecium
  • Volvox

Correct Answers:

  • 1

BONUS bio phrase

From what vitamin is the electron carrier FAD derived?

Acceptable Answers:

  • RIBOFLAVIN
  • VITAMIN B2

TOSS-UP chem multiselect

Name all of the following 3 concentration units that are temperature-dependent: molal; molarity; normality

Choices:

  • molal
  • molarity
  • normality

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3

BONUS chem phrase

Calculate the enthalpy of vaporization, in kilojoules, of water at 25ºC and 1 atmosphere. Assume the standard enthalpy of formation of liquid water is –286 kilojoules and the standard enthalpy of formation of water gas is –242 kilojoules.

Acceptable Answers:

  • 44

TOSS-UP phys phrase

What was the most sensitive device Coulomb used to measure the electric forces between pith balls?

Acceptable Answers:

  • TORSION BALANCE

BONUS phys order

Order the following 3 choices from the MOST penetrating through a thin sheet of cardboard to the LEAST: beta rays; alpha rays; x-rays

Choices:

  • beta rays
  • alpha rays
  • x-rays

Correct Order:

  • 3
  • 1
  • 2

TOSS-UP bio phrase

What is the most common name for the histone octamer used in the coiling and packing of DNA and regulation of gene expression?

Acceptable Answers:

  • NUCLEOSOMES

BONUS bio multiselect

Name all of the following 4 organelles that are bounded by a double membrane: nucleus; mitochondrion; lysosome; chloroplast

Choices:

  • nucleus
  • mitochondrion
  • lysosome
  • chloroplast

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 4