SNHS December 2025

Physics

100

What is the formula for force?

Force = Mass * Acceleration

200

What is the formula for kinetic energy?

1/2 * Mass * Velocity^2

300

When an apple falls from a tree, what form of energy transfer is occuring?

Gravitational Potential Energy is converted to Kinetic Energy

400

What is the wavelength of ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation in relation to the wavelength visible spectrum?

Ultraviolet waves have a smaller wavelength than light in the visible spectrum

600

Which wave will travel faster, one with a frequency of 20 Hz and 0.5 cm or one with a frequency of 10 Hz and 0.25 cm, in the same conditions?

They will move at the same speed, frequency, wavelength, and amplitude don't affect wave speed.

Chemistry

100

What type of bond occurs between magnesium and oxygen?

Ionic bond

200

What intermolecular force is primarily responsible for the interaction between water and carbon monoxide (CO)?

Hydrogen bonding

300

Which element has the lowest electronegativity?

Francium

400

What is generally produced in the fission of uranium 235? (list at least 3 things)?

Lighter element (usually Kr), heavier element (usually Ba), neutrons, gamma rays

600

In the 4th period on the periodic table, which elements have 1 electron in the 4s orbital?

Potassium, Chromium, Copper

Cells

100

How does an increase in cholesterol levels impact a cell membrane?

Decreases membrane fluidity

200

What type of cell contains nonlinear chromosomes?

Prokaryotic cells

300

List 2 pieces of evidence for endosymbiotic theory

Any 2 of Mitochondria/Chloroplast have their own, small single circular naked DNA/chromosome, 70s ribosomes, double layered membrane, division by binary fission, etc

400

What is the cell wall composed of (two parts)?

Both Required:

Plants - Cellelose

Prokaryotes - Peptidoglycan

600

List at least 3 benefits of a semi-permeable membrane for a cell

Selective transport (let nutrients in, keep toxins out), maintains homeostasis, cell communication, waste removal, compartmentalization, etc.

Biomolecules

100

A monomeric carbohydrate

Any of Glucose, Fructose, Ribose, etc

200

List 3 types of Amino Acid structures.

Any 3 of Acidic, Basic, Nonpolar, Polar

300

What is the name of the bond between fatty acid chains and the glycerol backbone in a triglyceride?

Ester Bond

400

What is the difference between a saturated and an unsaturated fatty acid?

Unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds between carbon atoms in the fatty tail, preventing rigidity and contributing to a bent shape.

600

The formula for the sugar attached to an adenine nucleotide is C₅H₁₀O₅. What enzyme most likely manufactured this nucleic acid? 

RNA Polymerase

Life

100

On average, what percentage of energy does a secondary consumer gain from each plant that is consumed?

1%

200

List 3 examples of carbon pools in the carbon cycle.

Oceans, Fossil fuels, Sedimentary rock, Living biomass, air, etc

300

What is the difference between a missense and a nonsense mutation?

A missense mutation changes DNA to code for a different amino acid, a nonsense mutation changes DNA to code for a stop codon.

400

List 3 properties of water make it essential for life.

Its polarity (universal solvent), high specific heat, cohesion and adhesion

600

List at least 3 examples of evidence for the the Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA).

Universal characteristics of life: DNA as genetic code, Central Dogma of molecular biology, similar metabolic pathways, use of ATP, shared protein mechanics