1.
What is the name of the hard rock that forms from loose volcanic ash cemented together?
Correct Answer
A. Tuff
Explanation
Tuff is a type of hard rock that is formed when loose volcanic ash becomes compacted and cemented together over time. It is commonly found in volcanic areas where ash and other volcanic materials have accumulated and undergone lithification. Tuff is known for its durability and is often used as a building material.
2.
What natural phenomenon is characterized by the eruption of super hot water and steam from bedrock?
Correct Answer
B. Geyser
Explanation
A geyser is a natural phenomenon where super hot water and steam erupt from bedrock. Distillation is the process of separating substances through evaporation and condensation. A rain gauge is a device used to measure rainfall. A water turbine is a device used to generate electricity from the flow of water.
3.
Arcturus is an orange star with a surface temperature of 4,200 degrees Celsius. How far is it from the Sun?
Correct Answer
C. 36.7 light-years
Explanation
Arcturus is an orange giant star located in the constellation Boötes. Its surface temperature is approximately 42,000 degrees Celsius. The distance from the Sun to Arcturus is estimated to be around 36.7 light-years. This measurement is determined through astronomical techniques such as parallax, which involves observing the apparent shift in a star's position as the Earth orbits the Sun. The given distance of 36.7 light-years indicates the span of time it takes for light to travel from Arcturus to Earth, considering that light travels at a speed of about 186,282 miles per second.
4.
What type of volcano is formed from ashes and other materials thrown high into the air before spreading further?
Correct Answer
C. Cinder cone
Explanation
A cinder cone is a type of volcano that is formed from ashes and other dust materials that are thrown high up into the air and harden before they can spread further down. This type of volcano has a steep slope and is usually smaller than a shield or composite volcano. It is characterized by its conical shape and is often found in volcanic fields.
5.
If a billiard ball is hit with an initial velocity of 15 m/s and stops after 3 seconds, what is its deceleration?
Correct Answer
A. -5 m/s2
Explanation
The billiard ball experienced a deceleration of 5 m/s because it started with an initial velocity of 15 m/s and came to a stop after 3 seconds. To calculate the deceleration, we can use the formula- acceleration = (final velocity - initial velocity) / time. In this case, the final velocity is 0 m/s (since the ball stopped), and the initial velocity is 15 m/s. Plugging these values into the formula, we get- acceleration = (0 m/s - 15 m/s) / 3 s = -15 m/s / 3 s = -5 m/s2. Since acceleration is a vector quantity, the negative sign indicates that the ball is decelerating.
6.
What metal is used in the making of microchips?
Correct Answer
B. Silicon
Explanation
Silicon is the correct answer because it is the most commonly used material in the production of microchips. Silicon has unique electrical properties that make it an ideal choice for creating integrated circuits, which are the building blocks of microchips. It is a semiconductor material that can be doped to create either a positive or negative charge, allowing for the creation of transistors and other electronic components. Silicon also has a high thermal conductivity, which helps dissipate heat generated by the microchips. Overall, silicon's abundance, versatility, and electrical properties make it the metal of choice for microchip manufacturing.
7.
What kind of plastic can be recycled?
Correct Answer
B. Thermoplastic
Explanation
Thermoplastic is a type of plastic that can be melted and reshaped multiple times without any change in its properties. This makes it suitable for recycling as it can be melted down and used to create new products. On the other hand, thermosets cannot be melted and reshaped, making them unsuitable for recycling.
8.
Which organ is not part of the endocrine system?
Correct Answer
C. Lungs
Explanation
The lungs are not a part of the endocrine system. The endocrine system consists of glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream to regulate various bodily functions. The adrenal gland, pituitary gland, and thyroid gland are all part of the endocrine system and secrete hormones that play important roles in regulating metabolism, growth, and other physiological processes. However, the lungs primarily function in the respiratory system, exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide with the bloodstream, and do not produce hormones.
9.
What is the densest naturally occurring element in the periodic table?
Correct Answer
A. Osmium
Explanation
Osmium is the densest naturally occurring element in the periodic table. It has a density of 22.59 grams per cubic centimeter, making it twice as dense as lead. Osmium is a hard, brittle, bluish-white metal that is found in platinum ores. It is commonly used in alloys, electrical contacts, and fountain pen tips due to its high density and resistance to corrosion.
10.
Which metal is liquid at room temperature?
Correct Answer
C. Mercury
Explanation
Mercury is a unique metal that remains in a liquid state at room temperature. With a melting point of -38.83 degrees Celsius (-37.89 degrees Fahrenheit) and a boiling point of 356.7 degrees Celsius (674.1 degrees Fahrenheit), it stays in a liquid form within the typical temperature range found in room environments. This characteristic, along with its density and other properties, makes mercury distinct from most other metals, which are solid at room temperature. Due to its liquid nature and toxicity, precautions are often taken when handling mercury.
11.
What is the SI unit of electric resistance?
Correct Answer
A. Ohm
Explanation
The SI unit of electric resistance is the ohm (Ω). Resistance is a measure of how much an object opposes the flow of electric current. It is calculated using Ohm’s Law: R = V/I, where R is resistance in ohms, V is voltage in volts, and I is current in amperes. If a conductor has 1-ohm resistance, it means that 1 volt of potential difference across it causes a current of 1 ampere. Materials like copper have low resistance, making them good conductors, while rubber has high resistance, making it an insulator. The ohm is named after physicist Georg Ohm.
12.
Which part of the cell is responsible for producing energy?
Correct Answer
B. Mitochondria
Explanation
The mitochondria are responsible for producing energy in the cell through a process called cellular respiration. They convert glucose and oxygen into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the main energy carrier in biological systems. The reaction follows the equation: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ATP. Cells with high energy demands, such as muscle cells, contain more mitochondria. Since mitochondria have their own DNA, they can replicate independently within a cell. Their ability to produce ATP efficiently is critical for processes like muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and overall metabolism. Hence, they are often called the "powerhouse of the cell."
13.
What is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere?
Correct Answer
C. Nitrogen
Explanation
Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, making up about 78% of the air we breathe. It is followed by oxygen (21%), argon (0.93%), and carbon dioxide (0.04%). Nitrogen is largely unreactive under normal conditions due to its strong triple bond (N≡N), which requires a large amount of energy to break. It is essential for life as it is a key component of amino acids, proteins, and DNA. The nitrogen cycle allows atmospheric nitrogen to be converted into forms usable by plants and animals, mainly through nitrogen fixation by bacteria or industrial processes like the Haber process.
14.
Which planet has the shortest year in the solar system?
Correct Answer
C. Mercury
Explanation
Mercury has the shortest year in the solar system, completing one orbit around the Sun in just 88 Earth days. This is due to its small size and proximity to the Sun, which results in a stronger gravitational pull. According to Kepler’s Third Law, the closer a planet is to the Sun, the faster it orbits. Mercury’s orbital speed is 47.87 km/s, the fastest in the solar system. However, its slow rotation means one day on Mercury (one full rotation) lasts 59 Earth days, causing extreme temperature variations between its day and night sides, ranging from 800°F to -290°F.
15.
What type of lens is used to correct nearsightedness?
Correct Answer
B. Concave lens
Explanation
A concave lens is used to correct nearsightedness (myopia). Nearsighted people have an elongated eyeball or a cornea that is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of on it. A concave lens is divergent, meaning it spreads light rays outward before they reach the eye, shifting the focal point back onto the retina. The power of a concave lens is measured in diopters (D), with a negative value (e.g., -2.00 D). The stronger the prescription, the more the lens diverges light. This correction allows nearsighted individuals to see distant objects more clearly.