Science Finals 2017

Question 1

Many members of this order contain a structure called a melon, which houses the spermaceti organ. Filter-feeding members of this order possess keratin plates called baleen. Members of this order breathe through a specialized nostril on their back called a blowhole. Name this order of marine mammals that includes porpoises, dolphins, and whales?

Answer 1

Cetaceans

Question 2

These periods involve paradigm shifts as described in Thomas Kuhn’s, *The Structure of *[this sort of period]. Along with the Renaissance, one of these periods is held to have not been a radical break from the Middle Ages in the “continuity thesis”. The publication of Copernicus’s theories is considered the beginning of one of, what type of social era, which included the development of modern biology and chemistry?

Answer 2

Scientific Revolution

Question 3

For an ideal block and tackle setup, this quantity is equal to the number of rope sections supporting the block. For a wedge, this quantity is inversely proportional to the wedge’s slope. This quantity is demonstrated by the law of the lever, which relates opposing weights and arm length. Used to measure the effectiveness of simple machines, what is this output force to input force?

Answer 3

Mechanical Advantage

Question 4

Chiral symmetry breaking and asymptotic freedom are among the properties of the quantum chromodynamics theory of this force, which confines smaller particles into hadrons. This force, whose magnitude increases with distance, is mediated by gluons. Binding together neutrons and protons in the nucleus, what is this fundamental force which is much more powerful than the weak force?

Answer 4

Strong Nuclear Force

Question 5

These phenomena were less frequent during the Spörer and Maunder Minima. The position of these phenomena predicts the location of coronal loops and solar flares. The frequency of these phenomena varies on an eleven-year cycle which corresponds to a reversal of a magnetic field. Found on the surface of the sun, what are these temporary darker regions sometimes visible from the Earth without a telescope?

Answer 5

Sunspots

Question 6

In his book How to Live Longer and Feel Better, this scientist advocated taking megadoses of vitamin C to prevent the common cold. This scientist outlined the modern understanding of an atom’s tendency to attract shared electrons in his book The Nature of the Chemical Bond. The Nobel Prize in Peace and Chemistry were given to, what american scientist?

Answer 6

Linus Pauling

Question 7

Due to having temperatures near the surface of the sun, this region passes the Curie temperature and is not ferromagnetic. This layer , whose existence is demonstrated by PKiKP waves, is composed by a solid iron-nickel alloy. The liquid outer core surrounds, what solid metal layer of the earth?

Answer 7

Inner core

Question 8

This scientist discovered the elements cesium and rubidium with Gustav Kirchhoff. This scientist lends his name to a device that manipulates airflow at the top and fuel supply at the bottom to control combustion rate. A common type of open-flame burner is named for, what German chemist?

Answer 8

Robert Bunsen

Question 9

For an object to be in static equilibrium, this force’s metacenter must be above the center of gravity. This force, which equals density times gravity times volume, is opposed by the hydrostatic pressure gradient. This force equals the weight of the fluid that is displaced according to Archimedes principle. Objects float in liquid due to, what force?

Answer 9

Buoyancy

Question 10

In their simplest form, these devices possess a vertical portion, the gnomon, and horizontal portion, the style. Along with specialized candles and water drip clocks, these were among he earliest devices to mark the time of day. The position of shadow is used in, what device that determines the time?

Answer 10

Sundial

Question 11

Large circular holes in these objects are called moulins. Deposits created by these objects include eskers and drumlins. Cirques,fjords, and moraines were created by the retreat of these objects which break down at the coast via calving, forming icebergs. Greenland and Antarctica are covered in, what massive ice formations.

Answer 11

Glaciers

Question 12

Patients who fail to develop this structure may develop Probst bundles to compensate. Damage to this structure can result in alien hand syndrome or Dr. Strangelove syndrome. This structure has a latin name, meaning tough body. This structure is severed in patients who undergo a split brain procedure, which is sometimes used to treat epilespy. The two hemispheres of the brain are linked by what structure?

Answer 12

Corpus Callosum

Question 13

These objects can form when an empty cavity, such as a gas bubble, is filled with ground water that deposits crystaline minerals. These objects are smaller analogues of vugs and crystal caves. Coming from the Greek word for “earth-like,” what are these hollow rocks containing crystals?

Answer 13

Geodes

Question 14

A type of scattering found in these substances can give a blue appearance to motorcycle smoke or flour mixed into water. These substances, which exhibit the Tyndall effect, include emulsions and aerosols. Common examples of these substances include milk, fog, and foam. Insoluble particles are suspended within another in what type of mixture?

Answer 14

Colloid

Question 15

One sessile clade in this phylum has a symbiotic relationship with clownfish, providing shelter in exchange for cleaning. This phylum is characterized by a specialized type of cell that releases stinging toxins on contact. Sea anemones, jllies, and coral are all part of which animal phylum?

Answer 15

Cnidaria of Cnidarians

Question 16

A loop example of these materials is called a Josephson junction. Through the Meissner effect, these materials expel magnetic field lines. The BCS theory of these materials posits that phonons mediate the binding of electrons in Cooper pairs. Lacking electrical resistance, what are these materials with a “high temperature” variety

Answer 16

Superconductors

Question 17

When oxygen is present, this protein produces phosphoglycolate and 3-phosphoglycerate. In C4 plants, this protein has reduced specificity and is located in the bundle sheath cells. This protein is the most abundant ezyme on Earth and catalyzes the start of the Calvin cycle. The carboxylation of RuBP in photosynthesis occured due to what major enzyme?

Answer 17

RuBisCo

Question 18

An autoclave uses “wet-heat” to leverage hydrolysis to perform this task on glassware, rendering it aseptic. 70 percent is the most effective concentration of isopropyl alcohol for performing the task. The killing of microorganisms on lab equipment and on other surfaces is done through what method?

Answer 18

Sterilization

Question 19

When originally discovered, these objects were nicknamed “LGM,” or “little green men.” One of these bodies in the Crab Nebula emits x-rays. These bodies are only detectable if one of their poles points towards the Earth. Named for periodically emitting bursts of radio-waves, what are these rapidly rotating neutron stars?

Answer 19

Pulsars

Question 20

When this process occurs over a single geographic range, it is termed, “sympatric.” The allopatric type of this process occurs due to geographic isolation, and new branches on phylogenetic trees are formed by this process. The inability of two populations of organisms to breed is caused by what ecological process?

Answer 20

Speciation

Question 21

Torque is equal to the movement of inertia multiplied by the tangential form of this quantity. In general relativity, it is impossible to distinguish between forces caused by gravity and this quantity. Often measured in units per meter squared what is this quantity measuring rate of change in velocity.

Answer 21

Acceleration