HS Sample Set 1, Round 7 from NSB

Questions in Packet

TOSS-UP bio phrase

If one end of a single polypeptide chain has an amino group exposed, what functional group is typically exposed at the opposite end?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CARBOXYL

BONUS bio phrase

What is the most common name of the protein that synthesizes DNA?

Acceptable Answers:

  • DNA POLYMERASE
  • POLYMERASE

TOSS-UP chem multiple_choice

Which of the following compounds is used as a fuel additive in what is commonly known as “dry-gas” by solubilizing water to reduce its contamination in gasoline: W) isooctane X) glycerol Y) MTBE Z) isopropyl alcohol

W: W) isooctane

X: X) glycerol

Y: Y) MTBE

Z: Z) isopropyl alcohol

Answer: Z) Z) isopropyl alcohol

BONUS chem multiple_choice

The molar heat of vaporization for water at its boiling point and in kilojoules per mole is: W) 6.01 X) 40.7 Y) 540 Z) 2,260

W: W) 6.01

X: X) 40.7

Y: Y) 540

Z: Z) 2,260

Answer: X) X) 40.7

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Consider an electric charge moving through a magnetic field. A force acts on the charge perpendicular to the direction of the charge’s motion and direction of the magnetic field. Which of the following is the MOST common name for this force: W) B field X) Lorentz force Y) electrodynamic force Z) Faraday force

W: W) B field

X: X) Lorentz force

Y: Y) electrodynamic force

Z: Z) Faraday force

Answer: X) X) Lorentz force

BONUS phys multiple_choice

Which of the following BEST describes the Lorentz Contraction: W) reduction in the mass of a body as it approaches the speed of light X) reduction in the length of a body along the direction of motion as it approaches the speed of light Y) loss of kinetic energy when any object slows Z) loss of potential energy when any body emits electromagnetic radiation

W: W) reduction in the mass of a body as it approaches the speed of light

X: X) reduction in the length of a body along the direction of motion as it approaches the speed of light

Y: Y) loss of kinetic energy when any object slows

Z: Z) loss of potential energy when any body emits electromagnetic radiation

Answer: X) X) reduction in the length of a body along the direction of motion as it approaches the speed of light

TOSS-UP math phrase

What is the determinant of a 2-by-2 square matrix whose rows are 4, 2 and –3, –4?

Acceptable Answers:

  • –10

BONUS math phrase

Solve the following equation for x: $$-2\lvert 3 + \frac{x}{2}\rvert = -10$$

Acceptable Answers:

  • 4, –16

TOSS-UP ess phrase

What is the most common name for the temperature‐slope or depth interval over which temperature changes with depth in a lake?

Acceptable Answers:

  • THERMOCLINE

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Trilobites are index fossils that lived: W) in warm, ocean waters X) during the Achaean geological time Y) in desert environments Z) in lakes, rivers and streams

W: W) in warm, ocean waters

X: X) during the Achaean geological time

Y: Y) in desert environments

Z: Z) in lakes, rivers and streams

Answer: W) W) in warm, ocean waters

TOSS-UP general multiple_choice

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has enlisted volunteers to raise oysters within cages tied to docks just below the water’s surface. Which is the BEST reason why these amateur conservationists will not be tempted to eat their oysters: W) they are genetically engineered and their impact on human health has not been assessed X) they were irradiated prior to seeding to ensure they were disease‐free Y) there is a water pollution advisory against eating oysters grown within most of the watershed Z) some are equipped with a radio transmitter to allow biologists to easily measure population changes

W: W) they are genetically engineered and their impact on human health has not been assessed

X: X) they were irradiated prior to seeding to ensure they were disease‐free

Y: Y) there is a water pollution advisory against eating oysters grown within most of the watershed

Z: Z) some are equipped with a radio transmitter to allow biologists to easily measure population changes

Answer: Y) Y) there is a water pollution advisory against eating oysters grown within most of the watershed

BONUS general phrase

If one of Earth’s tectonic plates moves at a rate of about 10 cm per year, how many kilometers will it move in 100 million years?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 10,000

TOSS-UP ess phrase

From data primarily on the motions of what planet did Kepler propose that planets follow elliptical orbits?

Acceptable Answers:

  • MARS

BONUS ess phrase

What object in the night sky can reach a maximum apparent magnitude of –12.6?

Acceptable Answers:

  • MOON
  • FULL MOON

TOSS-UP bio phrase

What is the main respiratory pigment of skeletal muscle cells?

Acceptable Answers:

  • MYOGLOBIN

BONUS bio phrase

Choosing from primary through quaternary, what level of protein structure is conferred by a beta pleated sheet?

Acceptable Answers:

  • SECONDARY

TOSS-UP chem multiple_choice

An increase in which of the following conditions would NOT lead to an increase in pressure of a gas in a piston: W) increased temperature X) increased number of gas molecules Y) increased average kinetic energy of gas particles Z) increased volume

W: W) increased temperature

X: X) increased number of gas molecules

Y: Y) increased average kinetic energy of gas particles

Z: Z) increased volume

Answer: Z) Z) increased volume

BONUS chem phrase

To the nearest whole number, how many grams of Na₂SO₄ (formula weight 142 g/mol) are needed to prepare 500 mL of a 0.100 M solution?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 7

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Which of the following best describes the concept upon which Kirchhoff’s current law is based: W) charges come in unit dimensions X) all charges flow from the negative to the positive Y) charge can neither be created nor destroyed Z) what goes up must come down

W: W) charges come in unit dimensions

X: X) all charges flow from the negative to the positive

Y: Y) charge can neither be created nor destroyed

Z: Z) what goes up must come down

Answer: Y) Y) charge can neither be created nor destroyed

BONUS phys multiselect

Give by name or number all of the following that would be considered units of electrical power: 1) ampere volt 2) joules per second 3) watts 4) coulombs

Choices:

  • ampere volt
  • joules per second
  • watts
  • coulombs

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

TOSS-UP math phrase

Giving your answer as up, down, left, or right, the graph of the equation $$x = 5y - 8y^2 - 1$$ opens in what direction?

Acceptable Answers:

  • LEFT

BONUS math phrase

If \$10{,}000 is placed in a savings account that pays 5% interest compounded annually, what is the total amount in the account at the end of 2 years, to the nearest dollar?

Acceptable Answers:

  • \$11,025

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following atmospheric gases is created naturally by the action of sunlight on molecular oxygen: W) ozone X) carbon monoxide Y) nitrous oxide Z) methane

W: W) ozone

X: X) carbon monoxide

Y: Y) nitrous oxide

Z: Z) methane

Answer: W) W) ozone

BONUS ess phrase

On a weather map, what type of frontal boundary is represented by alternating blue triangles pointing toward warmer air and red semicircles pointing toward colder air?

Acceptable Answers:

  • STATIONARY
  • STATIONARY FRONTAL BOUNDARY, STATIONARY FRONT

TOSS-UP general multiple_choice

Geothermal power plants use which of the following to generate electricity: W) coal X) steam Y) sunlight Z) pressurized water

W: W) coal

X: X) steam

Y: Y) sunlight

Z: Z) pressurized water

Answer: X) X) steam

BONUS general multiple_choice

Diatoms are: W) bacteria X) twinned crystals Y) seaweed Z) algae

W: W) bacteria

X: X) twinned crystals

Y: Y) seaweed

Z: Z) algae

Answer: Z) Z) algae

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following statements is LEAST accurate: W) solar eclipses are less common than lunar eclipses X) stars that begin their lives with greater mass have longer life-spans Y) stars in the same constellation are not necessarily at the same distance from Earth Z) M-31 is a galaxy

W: W) solar eclipses are less common than lunar eclipses

X: X) stars that begin their lives with greater mass have longer life-spans

Y: Y) stars in the same constellation are not necessarily at the same distance from Earth

Z: Z) M-31 is a galaxy

Answer: X) X) stars that begin their lives with greater mass have longer life-spans

BONUS ess phrase

In what constellation is the brightest-appearing star in the night sky?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CANIS MAJOR

TOSS-UP bio phrase

What specific biological process is believed to have produced most of the diatomic oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere?

Acceptable Answers:

  • PHOTOSYNTHESIS

BONUS bio phrase

In photosystem II, what is light energy most notably used to initially accomplish?

Acceptable Answers:

  • SPLITTING OF WATER

TOSS-UP chem phrase

According to VSEPR bonding theory, what type of geometry does a molecule have when the central atom is surrounded by four bonded groups, such as in methane?

Acceptable Answers:

  • TETRAHEDRAL

BONUS chem multiple_choice

Which of the following is considered a weak acid: W) HCO₂H X) HClO₄ Y) HNO₃ Z) HBr

W: W) HCO₂H

X: X) HClO₄

Y: Y) HNO₃

Z: Z) HBr

Answer: W) W) HCO₂H

TOSS-UP phys phrase

What is the MOST common name for the electrical device often made of two parallel conducting plates separated by a paper insulator all rolled into a cylinder to function in storing electrical energy?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CAPACITOR

BONUS phys phrase

What is the SI unit of capacitance equal to one coulomb per volt?

Acceptable Answers:

  • FARAD

TOSS-UP math phrase

In what quadrant does θ terminate if sin θ is positive and sec θ is negative?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 2nd
  • 2

BONUS math phrase

Solve the following equation for all real values of x: $$\frac1{4} - \frac1{8} - \frac1{2^x} = 0$$

Acceptable Answers:

  • 4, –2

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following rocks is MOST porous: W) marble X) granite Y) limestone Z) slate

W: W) marble

X: X) granite

Y: Y) limestone

Z: Z) slate

Answer: Y) Y) limestone

BONUS ess multiple_choice

If the intent is to neutralize soil acidity, mixing which of the following materials in the soil would be the LEAST effective: W) ground limestone X) ground oyster shells Y) pure CaCO₃ Z) gypsum

W: W) ground limestone

X: X) ground oyster shells

Y: Y) pure CaCO₃

Z: Z) gypsum

Answer: Z) Z) gypsum

TOSS-UP general multiple_choice

Which of the following is used as a white pigment in paint, paper, and plastics: W) Teflon X) zeolites Y) titanium dioxide Z) diatomaceous earth

W: W) Teflon

X: X) zeolites

Y: Y) titanium dioxide

Z: Z) diatomaceous earth

Answer: Y) Y) titanium dioxide

BONUS general multiple_choice

Cats have a special layer of tissue behind their retina called the tapetum lucidum that does which of the following: W) reflects back to the retina stray photons of light X) allows for color vision Y) allows only for black, white and grey vision Z) serves as a second eyelid to protect the eye

W: W) reflects back to the retina stray photons of light

X: X) allows for color vision

Y: Y) allows only for black, white and grey vision

Z: Z) serves as a second eyelid to protect the eye

Answer: W) W) reflects back to the retina stray photons of light

TOSS-UP ess phrase

What basic force is responsible for forming the liquid‐metallic hydrogen layer on the planet Jupiter?

Acceptable Answers:

  • GRAVITY

BONUS ess phrase

During what month is the average surface temperature of the Earth typically the highest?

Acceptable Answers:

  • JULY

TOSS-UP bio phrase

In what specific part of the testes does spermatogenesis occur in mammals?

Acceptable Answers:

  • SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES

BONUS bio phrase

What human gland, which is mostly lymphoid tissue, is critical to the normal development of cell mediated immunity and, if removed after young adulthood, seems to have no ill effects on the immune system?

Acceptable Answers:

  • THYMUS

TOSS-UP chem phrase

When a strip of sodium reacts with dilute HCl, what gas is produced?

Acceptable Answers:

  • HYDROGEN

BONUS chem multiple_choice

The release of hydrogen gas in the above experiment is called: W) combustion X) effervescence Y) diffusion Z) ebullition

W: W) combustion

X: X) effervescence

Y: Y) diffusion

Z: Z) ebullition

Answer: X) X) effervescence

TOSS-UP phys phrase

What was the electrolyte used in the first voltaic piles built by Volta?

Acceptable Answers:

  • BRINE
  • SALT WATER

BONUS phys phrase

What is the resistance, in standard SI units, of an electric device operating on a 9-volt battery that requires 0.05 amps to run?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 180 OHMS

TOSS-UP bio phrase

What is the most common name for the micro‐gametophyte in flowering plants?

Acceptable Answers:

  • POLLEN
  • POLLEN GRAINS

BONUS bio phrase

Sieve cells and sieve tube members are types of what specific conductive plant cell type?

Acceptable Answers:

  • PHLOEM