HS Sample Set 9, Round 14 from NSB

Questions in Packet

TOSS-UP phys phrase

What physical phenomenon is exploited when tuning the frequency of a radio antenna in order to amplify reception of the signal and is characterized by the tendency of a system to oscillate with greater amplitude at certain frequencies than others?

Acceptable Answers:

  • RESONANCE

BONUS phys phrase

A charged particle is moving in the x-direction when a uniform magnetic field is applied in the y-direction. What shape will the path traced out by the particle’s motion be?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CIRCLE

DO NOT ACCEPT:

  • HELICAL

TOSS-UP math phrase

Jora models a series of 28 six-sided dice rolls as a binomial distribution based on whether a roll is 6 or not. If she repeated this series of dice rolls multiple times, what is the average number of times that the dice will land on six?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 14/3
  • FOUR AND TWO THIRDS

BONUS math phrase

Given the three vectors, a = 2i + j, b = –i + 3j + 4k, and c = –2j + k, find a·(2b + 4c).

Acceptable Answers:

  • –6

TOSS-UP energy multiple_choice

Gallium arsenide would most likely be found in which of the following? W) Nuclear fission reactor X) Semiconductor photovoltaic Y) Magnetic containment chamber Z) Penning trap

W: W) Nuclear fission reactor

X: X) Semiconductor photovoltaic

Y: Y) Magnetic containment chamber

Z: Z) Penning trap

Answer: X) X) Semiconductor photovoltaic

BONUS energy multiple_choice

Which of the following is not true regarding electrochemical cells? W) Concentration cells have a standard cell potential of zero X) In a Daniell cell, copper is oxidized Y) The equilibrium reduction potential of a half cell is related to the standard electrode potential via the Nernst equation Z) Electrochemical cells using water as a solvent are usually limited to a cell potential of approximately 2.5 volts

W: W) Concentration cells have a standard cell potential of zero

X: X) In a Daniell cell, copper is oxidized

Y: Y) The equilibrium reduction potential of a half cell is related to the standard electrode potential via the Nernst equation

Z: Z) Electrochemical cells using water as a solvent are usually limited to a cell potential of approximately 2.5 volts

Answer: X) X) In a Daniell cell, copper is oxidized

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

In about twelve thousand years, the star Vega will be the North Star, not Polaris, due to which of the following: W) Jupiter's gravity X) Earth's tilted axis Y) Earth's axial precession Z) Earth's nutation

W: W) Jupiter's gravity

X: X) Earth's tilted axis

Y: Y) Earth's axial precession

Z: Z) Earth's nutation

Answer: Y) Y) Earth's axial precession

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is true of the eyewall replacement cycles of a hurricane? W) Maximum sustained wind speeds tend to increase in the eyewall X) A smaller eye expands outward and replaces a larger eye Y) The core of strongest wind tends to become more compact Z) Eyewall replacement cycles are common when a hurricane reaches a Category 5 status

W: W) Maximum sustained wind speeds tend to increase in the eyewall

X: X) A smaller eye expands outward and replaces a larger eye

Y: Y) The core of strongest wind tends to become more compact

Z: Z) Eyewall replacement cycles are common when a hurricane reaches a Category 5 status

Answer: Z) Z) Eyewall replacement cycles are common when a hurricane reaches a Category 5 status

TOSS-UP bio phrase

In the late 1800s, Martinus Beijerinck investigated what specific infectious agent, which he discovered could not be cultured on nutrient media in test tubes or petri dishes?

Acceptable Answers:

  • TOBACCO MOSAIC VIRUS

BONUS bio phrase

What nerve is known as the “wandering” nerve, as it travels down into the chest and abdomen from the throat and larynx, where it helps control the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems?

Acceptable Answers:

  • VAGUS NERVE

TOSS-UP chem phrase

What process, that uses a platinum-rhodium alloy as a catalyst, uses ammonia from the Haber process as a reactant to form nitric oxide, which is then oxidized and dissolved in water to form nitric acid?

Acceptable Answers:

  • OSTWALD PROCESS

BONUS chem multiple_choice

For the reaction N₂ + 3H₂ ⇌ 2NH₃, with a negative change in enthalpy, which of the following events is least likely to occur when the temperature of the reaction is increased? W) The gas particles will speed up X) The reaction will produce more ammonia Y) The reaction will reverse Z) The entropy of the system will increase

W: W) The gas particles will speed up

X: X) The reaction will produce more ammonia

Y: Y) The reaction will reverse

Z: Z) The entropy of the system will increase

Answer: X) X) The reaction will produce more ammonia

TOSS-UP phys phrase

The Heisenberg Uncertainty principle states that the product of the standard deviation of position and the standard deviation of momentum must be less than one half of the reduced form of what constant?

Acceptable Answers:

  • PLANCK’S CONSTANT

BONUS phys phrase

A generator making alternating current has a peak voltage of 40 volts and a peak current of 2.5 amperes. To the nearest whole number, what are the root mean square quantities of the current and voltage?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 2 AMPERES, 28 VOLTS

TOSS-UP math phrase

What is the equation of the plane, parallel to one of the coordinate planes, that passes through the two points (4, 7, –2) and (3, 7, 12)?

Acceptable Answers:

  • y = 7

BONUS math multiselect

If all A are B and some C are A, identify all of the following three conclusions that necessarily follow: 1) All A are C 2) Some B are C 3) Some A are not C

Choices:

  • All A are C
  • Some B are C
  • Some A are not C

Correct Answers:

  • 2

TOSS-UP bio phrase

What group of light-absorbing compounds, including chlorophyll b and carotenoids, are found in photosynthetic organisms and work with chlorophyll a to expand the action spectrum of the organism?

Acceptable Answers:

  • ACCESSORY PIGMENTS

BONUS bio multiselect

Identify all of the following three statements that are true regarding fats: 1) Fats are a more efficient form of energy storage than proteins 2) Fats play a role in cell structure 3) Fats are a less efficient form of energy storage than carbohydrates

Choices:

  • Fats are a more efficient form of energy storage than proteins
  • Fats play a role in cell structure
  • Fats are a less efficient form of energy storage than carbohydrates

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 2

TOSS-UP phys multiselect

Identify all of the following three statements that are true regarding electromagnetism: 1) Dipoles experience a net force in a uniform electric field 2) At a distance infinity, dipoles are equivalent to a neutral particle 3) Dipoles experience a net force in a nonuniform electric field

Choices:

  • Dipoles experience a net force in a uniform electric field
  • At a distance infinity, dipoles are equivalent to a neutral particle
  • Dipoles experience a net force in a nonuniform electric field

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3

BONUS phys phrase

What scientist first discovered that a moving charge induces a magnetic field?

Acceptable Answers:

  • HANS CHRISTIAN OERSTED
  • OERSTED

TOSS-UP energy multiple_choice

Which of the following statements is not true regarding lighting and lighting technology? W) Organic LED displays require backlights X) Incandescent lights emit most of their energy as heat Y) LED lights are based on a pn-junction diode Z) Halogen light bulbs use tungsten filaments just like incandescent bulbs do

W: W) Organic LED displays require backlights

X: X) Incandescent lights emit most of their energy as heat

Y: Y) LED lights are based on a pn-junction diode

Z: Z) Halogen light bulbs use tungsten filaments just like incandescent bulbs do

Answer: W) W) Organic LED displays require backlights

BONUS energy multiselect

Identify all of the following three statements that are true regarding endothermic reactions: 1) The reactants have higher chemical energy than the products 2) Heat is absorbed during the reaction 3) They feel cold to the touch after they have occurred

Choices:

  • The reactants have higher chemical energy than the products
  • Heat is absorbed during the reaction
  • They feel cold to the touch after they have occurred

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3

TOSS-UP chem multiple_choice

Which of the following compounds is both a hydrogen bond donor and a hydrogen bond acceptor? W) Ammonia X) Hydrogen chloride Y) Acetone Z) Triethylamine

W: W) Ammonia

X: X) Hydrogen chloride

Y: Y) Acetone

Z: Z) Triethylamine

Answer: W) W) Ammonia

BONUS chem order

One mole of the following three compounds is added to 1 liter of water in order to reduce its freezing point. Rank them, from the smallest freezing point reduction to the greatest: 1) Sucrose 2) Ammonium chloride 3) Calcium chloride

Choices:

  • Sucrose
  • Ammonium chloride
  • Calcium chloride

Correct Order:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

TOSS-UP ess phrase

What term refers to the outer limit of the Sun’s electromagnetic influence?

Acceptable Answers:

  • HELIOPAUSE

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is true about spiral galaxies? W) Their spiral arms are dark due to the presence of cool, red stars X) They are the rarest type of galaxy in the observable universe Y) They originate from supernova explosions Z) Spiral galaxies with patchy arms are called flocculent spirals

W: W) Their spiral arms are dark due to the presence of cool, red stars

X: X) They are the rarest type of galaxy in the observable universe

Y: Y) They originate from supernova explosions

Z: Z) Spiral galaxies with patchy arms are called flocculent spirals

Answer: Z) Z) Spiral galaxies with patchy arms are called flocculent spirals

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Which of the following characteristics of plants is absent in charophyte algae? W) Presence of chlorophyll b X) Cellulose in the cell walls Y) Sexual reproduction Z) Alternation of multicellular generations

W: W) Presence of chlorophyll b

X: X) Cellulose in the cell walls

Y: Y) Sexual reproduction

Z: Z) Alternation of multicellular generations

Answer: Z) Z) Alternation of multicellular generations

BONUS bio multiple_choice

Which of the following compounds would one use to detect the presence of protein in a polyacrylamide gel? W) Ethidium bromide X) Coomassie Blue Y) Rhodamine 2 Z) Fluorescein

W: W) Ethidium bromide

X: X) Coomassie Blue

Y: Y) Rhodamine 2

Z: Z) Fluorescein

Answer: X) X) Coomassie Blue

TOSS-UP chem multiselect

Identify all of the following three compounds that are network solids: 1) Silicon dioxide 2) Silicon carbide 3) Boron nitride

Choices:

  • Silicon dioxide
  • Silicon carbide
  • Boron nitride

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

BONUS chem multiple_choice

For which of the following gas-phase reactions are the equilibrium constants Kc and Kp equivalent to one another? W) Ozone is produced from diatomic oxygen X) Carbon dioxide and hydrogen are produced from carbon monoxide and steam Y) Ammonia is produced from hydrogen and nitrogen Z) Gaseous methanol is produced from carbon monoxide and hydrogen

W: W) Ozone is produced from diatomic oxygen

X: X) Carbon dioxide and hydrogen are produced from carbon monoxide and steam

Y: Y) Ammonia is produced from hydrogen and nitrogen

Z: Z) Gaseous methanol is produced from carbon monoxide and hydrogen

Answer: X) X) Carbon dioxide and hydrogen are produced from carbon monoxide and steam

TOSS-UP math phrase

If x is a positive number such that 6 is the geometric mean between x + 3 and x – 3, what is the value of x?

Acceptable Answers:

  • $3\sqrt{5}$

BONUS math phrase

If A is an acute angle and $\sin A\cos A = \tfrac{60}{169}$, find the numerical value of $\sin A + \cos A$.

Acceptable Answers:

  • $\tfrac{17}{13}$

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Type Ia supernovae are said to be standardizable candles because their intrinsic luminosity can be determined after taking what other factor into account? W) H alpha line width X) Si II line width Y) Decay time Z) Lyman alpha line width

W: W) H alpha line width

X: X) Si II line width

Y: Y) Decay time

Z: Z) Lyman alpha line width

Answer: Y) Y) Decay time

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Cloud seeding with silver iodide is based upon what process? W) Haber process X) Sublimation Y) Bergeron process Z) Chemical vapor deposition

W: W) Haber process

X: X) Sublimation

Y: Y) Bergeron process

Z: Z) Chemical vapor deposition

Answer: Y) Y) Bergeron process

TOSS-UP energy multiselect

Identify all of the following three statements that are true regarding the use of cellulosic ethanol as fuel: 1) Cellulosic ethanol has a more abundant stock of raw materials compared to corn ethanol 2) Cellulosic ethanol has higher greenhouse emissions than corn ethanol 3) Cellulosic ethanol can be produced via cellulolysis or gasification

Choices:

  • Cellulosic ethanol has a more abundant stock of raw materials compared to corn ethanol
  • Cellulosic ethanol has higher greenhouse emissions than corn ethanol
  • Cellulosic ethanol can be produced via cellulolysis or gasification

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 3

BONUS energy multiselect

Identify all of the following three statements that are true regarding binding energy: 1) The mass of a carbon-12 nucleus is equal to the sum of the masses of 6 unbound protons and 6 unbound neutrons 2) Mass defect arises due to the equivalence of mass and energy 3) Iron-56 has the lowest mass per nucleon of any nucleus

Choices:

  • The mass of a carbon-12 nucleus is equal to the sum of the masses of 6 unbound protons and 6 unbound neutrons
  • Mass defect arises due to the equivalence of mass and energy
  • Iron-56 has the lowest mass per nucleon of any nucleus

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3

TOSS-UP bio phrase

The deficiency of magnesium causes what disorder in plants, characterized by the leaves turning pale yellow?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CHLOROSIS

BONUS bio multiple_choice

Atropine is a powerful toxin that is gathered from which of the following groups of plants? W) Nightshades X) Orchids Y) Horsetails Z) Yews

W: W) Nightshades

X: X) Orchids

Y: Y) Horsetails

Z: Z) Yews

Answer: W) W) Nightshades

TOSS-UP phys phrase

Name the phenomenon in which a liquid, in near contact with a mass significantly hotter than the liquid's boiling point, produces an insulating vapor layer keeping that liquid from boiling rapidly?

Acceptable Answers:

  • LEIDENFROST EFFECT

BONUS phys phrase

A supercomputer sends information throughout its parts using light pulses in optical fibers. If the CPU needs to obtain information from the memory in 2.5 nanoseconds and it takes the memory 0.5 nanoseconds to process and fetch the request, assuming that the refractive index for the optical fibers is 3.0, what is the maximum distance, in centimeters, the CPU can be from the memory unit?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 10

TOSS-UP chem multiple_choice

Which of the following statements concerning amino acids is NOT true? W) Glycine is an achiral amino acid X) Phenylalanine has a nonpolar side chain Y) Some amino acids contain sulfur Z) All amino acids are net neutral at a pH of 7

W: W) Glycine is an achiral amino acid

X: X) Phenylalanine has a nonpolar side chain

Y: Y) Some amino acids contain sulfur

Z: Z) All amino acids are net neutral at a pH of 7

Answer: Z) Z) All amino acids are net neutral at a pH of 7

BONUS chem multiselect

Identify all of the following three species that would be able to oxidize copper from the +1 to +2 oxidation state: 1) Potassium dichromate 2) Sodium borohydride 3) Silver nitrate

Choices:

  • Potassium dichromate
  • Sodium borohydride
  • Silver nitrate

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 3

TOSS-UP ess phrase

What is the nearest triple system?

Acceptable Answers:

  • ALPHA CENTAURI

BONUS ess phrase

The Columbia River Basalts are thought to be related to what major magma source found east of the basalt deposits?

Acceptable Answers:

  • YELLOWSTONE HOTSPOT

TOSS-UP math phrase

A circular cone-shaped reservoir holds 3 gallons of water. How many gallons does a circular cylindrical reservoir hold if it has the same base and height as the conical reservoir?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 9

BONUS math phrase

In a three-dimensional coordinate system, the point (1, 2, 3) is reflected in the xy-plane, then the result is rotated by 180 degrees about the x-axis, and finally that image is translated by 5 units in the positive y direction. What are the final coordinates of the final image?

Acceptable Answers:

  • (1, 3, 3)