The Department of Energy's National Science Bowl® is a highly publicized academic competition among teams of high school students who answer questions on scientific topics in astronomy, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, earth, computer and general science. The teams are comprised of five students and a teacher who serves as an advisor and coach. The competition consists of a round robin followed by a double elimination final. The questions are multiple choice and short answer in the categories of chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, astronomy, and general, earth, and computer science.
Prizes are awarded to the top teams, and the winning team is invited to participate in the National Science Bowl. The NSB web site provides information for students, coaches, and volunteers.
Test Your Science Knowledge
Here are some sample questions in the categories of Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computer, Earth Science, General Science, Mathematics and Physics.
SAMPLE ROUND ROBIN ROUND
TOSS-UP QUESTION (Worth 4 points. 5 seconds for anyone to answer.)
1) CHEMISTRY Multiple Choice The reaction of hydrocarbons with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water and heat is called:
W) fission
X) fusion
Y) endothermic
Z) combustion
ANSWER: Z) COMBUSTION
BONUS QUESTION (Worth 10 points. 20 seconds for Captain to answer.)
1) CHEMISTRY Short Answer What is the only known substance for which there is no triple point:
ANSWER: HELIUM
TOSS-UP
2) PHYSICS Short Answer What is the name of the device that is made by combining two basic types of solid state rectifiers allowing the device to both rectify and amplify a current?
ANSWER: TRANSISTOR
BONUS
2) PHYSICS Multiple Choice Which of the following was one of the first direct indications that the speed of light could not be exceeded:
W) Faraday’s law of induction
X) Einstein’s theory of Special Relativity
Y) the Lorentz-Fitzgerald contraction
Z) Planck’s constant
ANSWER: Y) THE LORENTZ-FITZGERALD CONTRACTION
TOSS-UP
3) BIOLOGY Multiple Choice An example of negative feedback control is when:
W) the end product of a metabolic pathway inhibits an earlier reaction
X) the initial enzyme of a metabolic pathway inhibits a later reaction
Y) the end product of a metabolic pathway stimulates an earlier reaction
Z) the initial product of a metabolic pathway inhibits the next reaction
ANSWER: W) THE END PRODUCT OF A METABOLIC PATHWAY INHIBITS AN EARLIER REACTION
BONUS
3) BIOLOGY Short Answer What is the name of the inner surface of the myocardium that is lined with a layer of endothelial cells?
ANSWER: ENDOCARDIUM
TOSS-UP
4) EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE Multiple Choice The hydrogen envelope that surrounds the comet’s nucleus derives its hydrogen most directly from:
W) gases escaping from the melting comet’s ice
X) hydrogen captured from interstellar space
Y) breakdown of water by ultraviolet light
Z) hydrogen in the solar winds
ANSWER: Y) BREAKDOWN OF WATER BY ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT
BONUS
4) SPACE SCIENCE Short Answer What do Astronomers call the point in the sky that is directly overhead?
ANSWER: ZENITH
TOSS-UP
5) MATH Multiple Choice Which of the following does NOT yield a periodic non-terminating decimal:
W) 5/6
X) 1/27
Y) 1/18
Z) 7/8
ANSWER: Z) 7/8
BONUS
5) MATH Short Answer What 3 consecutive numbers add up to 45?
ANSWER: 14, 15, AND 16
TOSS-UP
6) EARTH SCIENCE Multiple Choice Which is the best reason for proposing that a boulder lying in an area that was once glaciated is an erratic:
W) it is of a different composition than the underlying rock
X) it is rounded and worn
Y) it is larger than any surrounding rocks
Z) it is located near a glacial lake
ANSWER: W) IT IS OF A DIFFERENT COMPOSITION THAN THE UNDERLYING ROCK
BONUS
6) EARTH SCIENCE Short Answer What is the term for groundwater emerging naturally at the ground surface, where the water table intersects the surface:
ANSWER: SPRING (ACCEPT: SEEP)
TOSS-UP
9) ENERGY Multiple Choice The ideal fuel for fuel cell use is:
W) compressed natural gas
X) reformulated gasoline
Y) hydrogen
Z) methanol
ANSWER: Y) HYDROGEN
BONUS
9) ENERGY Short Answer What is the branch of chemistry that deals with the relationship between electricity and chemical reactions?
ANSWER: ELECTROCHEMISTRY
TOSS-UP
10) PHYSICS Multiple Choice Which of the following is NOT a consequence of the theory of electromagnetic radiation as formulated by J. C. Maxwell:
W) electric fields can cause magnetic disturbance
X) electromagnetic radiation consists of an electric and magnetic wave
Y) light is a form of electromagnetic radiation
Z) bright red light ejects no electrons from a metallic surface whereas dim violet light can
ANSWER: Z) BRIGHT RED LIGHT EJECTS NO ELECTRONS FROM A METALLIC SURFACE WHEREAS DIM VIOLET LIGHT CAN
BONUS
10) PHYSICS Short Answer All elements with an atomic number greater than what number are unstable?
ANSWER: 83
SAMPLE QUESTIONS IN POWERPOINT
Round 1 PPT
Round 2 PPT
Round 3 PPT
