ENERGY
Scientists at the National Energy Technology Lab recovered cores from the ocean floor that contain exotic ices. Under the high pressure of the ocean floor, these ices are composed of a molecular cage that traps what combustible gas?
ANSWER: METHANE (ACCEPT: NATURAL GAS, CH4)
The ureters connect the kidneys to what other organ?
ANSWER: BLADDER
What is the radius of the circle with equation x2 + y2 – 8y – 65 = 0?
ANSWER: 9
What is the term for the energetic barrier a reaction must overcome in order to get started?
ANSWER: ACTIVATION ENERGY
Rank the following three solar system objects in terms of increasing density: 1) Neptune; 2) Saturn; 3) Uranus.
ANSWER: 2, 3, 1
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Lab are using X-ray diffraction to understand the structure of enzymes that pump antibiotics out of bacteria. Which of the following is TRUE of these enzymes?
W) They do not require ATP
X) They have become more widespread in response to antibiotic therapy
Y) They are fibrous proteins
Z) They are made of RNA
X) They have become more widespread in response to antibiotic therapy
What class of hormones is characteristically composed of 4 carbon rings and is usually lipid-soluble?
ANSWER: STEROIDS
What is the length of a 20-degree arc of a circle with circumference 24?
ANSWER: 4/3 (ACCEPT: 1 1/3)
Which of the following is an example of a compound with an ionic bond?
W) Carbon tetrachloride [tetrah-KLOOR-ide]
X) Phosphorous trichloride [try-KLOOR-ide]
Y) Sodium sulfide
Z) Methane
Y) Sodium sulfide
Order the following four stars from lowest to highest absolute magnitude: 1) The Sun; 2) Sirius; 3) Rigel [RYE-jel]; 4) Proxima Centauri.
ANSWER: 3, 2, 1, 4
Scientists at SLAC have been using machine learning to predict new metallic compounds that are amorphous. Which of the following materials is amorphous?
W) Diamond
X) Snowflake
Y) Glass
Z) Table salt
Y) Glass
Which of the following is an example of a biotic factor?
W) Soil type
X) Weather
Y) Insolation
Z) Mushroom diversity
Z) Mushroom diversity
For the function f of x = 4x – 7, what is f inverse of 17?
ANSWER: 6
An amine is characterized by what element that usually possesses a lone pair in compounds?
ANSWER: NITROGEN
What outermost part of the sun is visible to the naked eye only during a total solar eclipse?
ANSWER: CORONA
Computational scientists at Oak Ridge National Lab are studying transition states in chemical reactions. What class of substances are thought to exert their main effect by binding and stabilizing transition states of chemical reactions?
ANSWER: CATALYSTS (ACCEPT: ENZYMES)
Blood that leaves the right ventricle will most likely visit what organ before entering the left atrium?
ANSWER: LUNG
According to Descartes' [day-KARTZ] rule of signs, what are the possible numbers of negative real zeroes the polynomial x5 + 3x4 –3x3 + 2x2 +11x – 13 may have?
ANSWER: 2 AND 0
Consider the gravitational force between two objects, one with mass A and the other with mass B. By what factor would the gravitational force be multiplied if the objects were kept at the same distance from each other, but had masses of 2A and 3B, respectively?
ANSWER: 6
Plants are comprised of three main non-reproductive organs. Which of the following choices correctly summarizes these three organs?
W) Flowers, roots, stems
X) Stems, roots, leaves
Y) Stems, flowers, leaves
Z) Roots, stems, shoots
X) Stems, roots, leaves