9CONTEST 5

ROUND 1
PREAMBLE:
1. Give one example each of a life process in plants in which diffusion occurs.
ANSWERS:
a) During Transpiration
b) During the entry of CO2 for photosynthesis
c) During the exit of Oxygen after photosynthesis
d) Absorption of some minerals from the soil by the roots.
PREAMBLE: Two identical objects moving towards each other with the same speed undergo a
head-on perfectly inelastic collision.
2. What is the initial total linear momentum of the objects?
ANSWER: 0
3. Find the initial total kinetic energy if the initial linear momentum of each object has magnitude 1 kg m/s and
the mass of each is 1 kg.
T =∑ pi /2 m=2× ( 1 kg m/s ) / ( 2 ×1 kg ) =1 J
2 2
ANSWER: 1 J
4. Find the final total kinetic energy of the particles.
ANSWER: 0
The particles coalesce so the final common velocity is zero since the final momentum is zero.
PREAMBLE: Complete the sentence by filling in the blank
5. In a Venn diagram, the rectangle represents . . .
ANSWER: the universal set
6. In a Venn diagram, a circle represents . . .
ANSWER: a set
7. In a Venn diagram, a small letter represents . . .
ANSWER: an element
8. Do you expect the first ionization energy values to be positive or negative and why?
ANSWER: Positive. Because Energy has to be used in removing an electron from a gaseous
neutral atom and keep the cation and the electron at infinite distance apart.
9. Why do you think the inert gas in each Period has the highest first ionization energy?
ANSWER: They have very stable electronic configurations in which valence shells are fully
filled.

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10. Why does carbon with atomic number 6 have a lower first ionization energy than nitrogen with
atomic number 7?
ANSWER: Carbon has the valence configuration 2s2 2p2 while Nitrogen has 2s2 2p3. In the case
of N, the p sub-shell is half–filled and is more stable than that of carbon.
11. What name is given to the pores that link neighbouring cells through the cell wall of plants?
ANSWER: Plasmodesmata / Pit
12. Name the structure that directly envelopes the protoplasm of plant cells.
ANSWER: (Plasma) membrane
13. Name the two main components of the protoplasm of a living cell.
ANSWER: Cytoplasm / Nucleus
PREAMBLE: A cell with emf 0.8 V has internal resistance 5 Ω .
14. Find the terminal voltage when a 3 Ω resistor is connected across the terminals of the cell.
ANSWER: 0 . 3 V =300 mV
V =IR=( 0.8V ÷ ( 5 Ω+3 Ω ) ) ×3 Ω=0.1 A × 3 Ω=0.3 V
15. Find the current supplied by the cell when it delivers maximum power.
ANSWER: 0 . 08 A=80 mA I =( 0.8 V ÷ ( 5 Ω+5 Ω ) )=0.08 A
because maximum power is delivered when the load equals the internal resistance.
16. Find the terminal voltage when the cell delivers maximum power.
ANSWER: 0 . 4 V =400 mV V =IR=( 0.8V ÷ ( 5 Ω+5 Ω ) ) ×5 Ω=0.08 A ×5 Ω=0.4 V
17. Give an expression (in degree measure) for the sum of the interior angles of a polygon of n sides.
ANSWER: (n – 2)180°.
18. Give an expression (in degree measure) for the interior angle of a regular polygon of n sides.
ANSWER: (180 – 360/n)°
19. Give an expression for the exterior angle of a regular polygon of n sides.
ANSWER: (360/n)°
20. Give the systematic name of a benzene compound with OH and CH3 groups attached and separated
by 2 benzene carbons.
ANSWER: 4–methylphenol (Give 1 mark if, 4–hydroxytoluene, or 1–
hydroxyl–4– methylbenzene are given)
21. Give the systematic name of an 8 carbon straight chain with a carbonyl group on the 5 th carbon and a
double bond between the 6th and 7th carbons from one end.
ANSWER: 2–octen– 4–one OR Oct–2– ene–4–one.

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22. Give the systematic name of a 7 carbon hydrocarbon straight chain with two OH groups on the 3 rd and
6th carbons from one end.
ANSWER: 2, 5–heptandiol.
23. What name is given to the structure in which bees live?
ANSWER: Hive
24. What name is given to the small hexagonal compartments of bee hives?
ANSWER: Cells
25. What name is given to honey bees that have become specially adapted for performing a particular
function?
ANSWER: Caste
C
PREAMBLE: Find a unit vector associated with the given vector
26. a = i + √3j
ANSWER: (i + √3j)/2 [| a | = √ (1 + 3) = √4 = 2]
27. b = 3i + 4j
ANSWER: (3i + 4j)/5 [| b | = √ (32 + 42) = √25 = 5]
28. c = 5i – 12j
ANSWER: (5i – 12j)/13 [| c | = √ (52 + (-12)2) = √ (25 + 144) = √169 = 13]

29. When magnesium is heated to redness in ammonia gas, magnesium nitride and hydrogen gas are
formed. Give me a balanced equation for this reaction.
ANSWER: 3Mg + 2NH3 → Mg3N2 + 3H2
30. Magnesium nitride is decomposed by water to give ammonia and magnesium hydroxide. Give me a
balanced equation for the reaction.
ANSWER: Mg3N2 + 6H2O → 3Mg (OH)2 + 2NH3
31. Calcium oxide reacts with phosphorus (V) oxide to give tetraoxophosphate (V). Give me a balanced
equation for the reaction.
ANSWER: 3CaO + P2O5 → Ca3 (PO4)2

PROBLEM OF THE DAY

Describe the characteristics of a stem from the embryonic stage to maturity.

SOLUTION
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1. The plumule of the embryo develops into the stem.

2. It is the aerial part of the plant contributing the main axis.

3. The stem is the positively phototropic and negatively geotropic part of the plant. It is the

ascending part of the plant.

4. The stem bears the leaves, buds, flowers and fruits these altogether constitute the shoot

system.

5. The point of the stem where the leaves arise is known as the node.

6. The parts of the stem between two consecutive nodes are known as the internodes.

7. The internode is a characteristic feature of the stem, absent in the root.

ROUND 3

TRUE OR FALSE

1. When SiO2 reacts with CaO to give CaSiO3, the SiO2 is acting as an acid.
ANSWER: True CaO is a basic oxide

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2. When Ca(OH)2 reacts with CO2 in the presence of water, a redox reaction takes place
ANSWER: False It is an acid–base reaction
3. Na2CO3 and NaHCO3 in solution would constitute a buffer
ANSWER: True
4. The vertex of an isosceles triangle is the point of intersection of the congruent sides.
ANSWER: True
5. A trapezium is a quadrilateral having exactly one pair of parallel sides.
ANSWER: True
6. If two lines in a plane are perpendicular to a line in the plane, the two lines are parallel.
ANSWER: True
7. If an object is at rest, then no forces act on it.
ANSWER: False
8. If an object moves with constant velocity, then the net force on it is zero.
ANSWER: True
9. If an object moves with constant speed, then the net force on it is zero.
ANSWER: False
10. Locomotion in animals differs from animal to animal.
ANSWER: True
11. Plants do not possess special sensory cells.
ANSWER: True
12. Excretory products of plants include carbon dioxide, oxygen and water.
ANSWER: True
13. The Coulomb force between a pair of stationary particles acts along the line joining them.
ANSWER: True
14. The magnetic force on a moving charged particle acts in the direction of the magnetic field.
ANSWER: False
15. The magnetic force on a moving charged particle has no effect on the speed of the particle.
ANSWER: True
16. (a ÷ b) ÷ c = a ÷ (b ÷ c)

ANSWER: False

17. The operation is commutative

ANSWER: True
18. The operation of subtraction on the set of real numbers is not commutative.

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 ANSWER: True
19. Whenever there is a radioactive decay, a new nuclide with different atomic number is created.
ANSWER: False
when ɣ - radiation is emitted there is no change in atomic number.
20. Half – lives of radioactive substances are physical properties by which the substances can be
identified.
ANSWER: True t1/2 is constant.
21. Half–lives of different isotopes of the same elements are the same.
ANSWER: False Not the same.
22. Epithelial tissues provide support and permit movement.
ANSWER: False
23. Nerve tissues transmit and coordinate messages.
ANSWER: True
24. Muscle tissues cover internal and external surfaces.
ANSWER: False

ROUND 4
RIDDLE

Riddle #1

1. I am a collection of some basic statements.

2. All the relevant conclusions and predictions are made from these statements.
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3. My basic statements are also referred to as postulates in certain circles.
4. I describe the physical behaviour of all matter with emphasis to gases.
5. I have five postulates, the last one giving an alternative meaning or definition of temperature.
6. I am also able to explain Brownian movement.
Who am I?
ANSWER: Kinetic Theory of Matter/Gases or Kinetic-Molecular Theory of Matter/Gases

Riddle #2

1. I am a trigonometric measure.
2. I am associated with a bearing.
3. I am a measure of rotation.
4. I may be right, acute, reflexive or obtuse.
5. My measure is negative if you follow the hand of the clock and positive in the opposite direction.
6. You find me in polygons.
Who am I?
ANSWER: Angle

Riddle #3

1. I am an optical device.
2. I have a reflecting surface.
3. I form virtual images of real objects.
4. The image I form of an object is as far behind me as the object is in front of me.
Who am I?
ANSWER Plane mirror

Riddle #4
1. I am a vital association, especially, for terrestrial ecosystem function.
2. I can be contrasted with interspecific competition, in which each species experiences reduced fitness,
and exploitation,

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3. Many of my associations involve species living closely together
4. A well-known example of me is the Mycorrhizal association between certain plant roots and fungi,
5. In my association, two organisms of different species exist in a relationship in which each individual
benefits from the activity of the other
WHO AM I?
ANSWER Mutualism

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