MFANTSIPIM – AUGUSTINES INTER-REGIONAL TRIALS

10TH / 11TH APRIL 2024

DAY 1 : CONTEST 1

Biology Set

PREAMBLE : The aerial portion of a stem is modified to perform different functions such as
protection and food manufacturing etc; mention ONE type of aerial modification.
Answers:
i) Twinners
ii) Climbers
iii) Thorn
iv) Tendrils
v) Bulbils
vi) Phylloclade
vii) Cladode

Preamble : The sodium-potassium pump maintains the ionic gradients necessary for proper
neuronal function . . . now …
a) What type of mechanism is the sodium-potassium pump and by what respective
ratio is sodium and potassium transported? Ans : Active Transport , Ratio
 3:2
b) b) Why is the Sodium Potassium-Pump a form of an active transport ?
Ans : It pumps ions against their concentration gradient, and thus requires the
addition of energy from an outside source.
c) Why is the sodium potassium-pump referred as electrogenic?
Ans : It creates a potential difference or an electrical imbalance across the
membrane due to unequal ionic transfer.
d) What specific effect does the Unequal Ionic Transfer cause ?
Ans : It produces a net efflux of positive charge, hence maintaining a polarized
membrane)
e) What is the ultimate or fundamental goal of a sodium-Potassium pump ?
Ans : To maintain osmotic pressure and membrane potential in the cell.

NB: For ‘e’, give 2/3 for ; ‘‘move Potassium ions into the cell and Sodium out of the cell
’’
Maths Set
PREAMBLE: Solvethe following equation . . .. . .

( π3 )=−1 , for 0≤ x ≤ 2 π radians Ans : x= 56π , 32π

1) 2 sin x +

2) 2 sin ( z + )=1 , for 0≤ z ≤ 2 π radians Ans : z= ,

π π 11 π
3 2 6

3) 2 sin ( y − )=1 for 0 ≤ y ≤ π ns : y=

2 π 5 π 11 π
,
6 12 12

4) Cosec (2 x− )=√ 2 for 0< x < π radians Ans : x =

π 7 π 13 π
,
3 24 24

5) 2 co s (3 x− )=1 , for 0 ≤ x ≤ Ans: x= ,

2 π π π π
4 3 3 6

a) The expression x 3 +a x 2−15 x+ b has a factor x−2 and leaves a remainder of 75

when divided by x +3 .Find the value of a and b. Ans : a=7 , b=−6
b) The expression 2 x + a x +bx−30is divisible by x +2 and leaves a remainder of −35
3 2

when divided by 2 x−1.Find the values of the constants a and b.

Ans : a=5 , b=−13
c) The expression 2 x3 + a x2 +bx +12 has a factor x−4 and leaves a remainder of −12
when divided by x−1.Find the value of each of the constants a and b.
Ans : a=−3 , b=−23
d) It is given that p ( x ) ¿ 2 x3 + a x 2 + 4 x+ b ,where a and b are constants, it is given also
that 2 x+1 is a factor of p ( x ) and that when p ( x ) is divided by x−1 there is a
remainder of −12 .Find the value of a and b. Ans : a=−27 , b=9
e) The polynomial p ( x ) is a x 3+ b x 2−13 x + 4 ,where a and b are integers. Given that
2 x−1 is a factor of p(x ) and also a factor of p' ( x) , find the value of a and b .
Ans :a=12, b=4

Chemistry Set
PREAMBLE : Briefly describe what you would observe when chlorine gas is bubbled
through…
a) Potassium Fluoride.
Ans : There will be no colour change since Flourine is more reactive than chlorine
b) Potassium Bromide
Ans : Chlorine is more reactive than bromine and displaces it in the potassium bromide
solution; turning the solution into orange (due to the natural orange/brown colour
of bromine)

c) Potassium Iodide
Ans : The solution would turn yellow or orange/brown/darker. Chlorine is more reactive
than iodine and so it would displace it from solution.

d) Hot concentrated solution of NaOH

Ans : Sodium chloride and Sodium chlorate (and water are formed via disproportionate
reaction)

e) Potassium halide in the presence of chloroform shortly.

Ans : Violet Colouration

PREAMBLE : A student in a laboratory setting makes 250ml aqueous solution of 6.3g of

oxalic acid dihydrate. If the molecular mass of oxalic acid dihydrate, COOH-COOH.2H 2O is
126, what is the volume of 0.1 NNaOH required to completely neutralize . . . . . . .
(NB : Hold on with answers)
a) 8 ml of this solution Ans : 3 2 ml
b) 10 ml of this solution Ans : 4 0 ml
c) 15 ml of this solution Ans : 6 0 ml
d) 18 ml of this solution Ans : 7 2 ml
e) 21 ml of this solution Ans : 8 4 ml

Soln : 126/2 = 63 (Basisity = 2)

Norm. of Oxalic acid = mass(100)/gram equivalent (volume) => (6.3)(1000)/(63)(250)= 0.4
N1V1 = N2V2 (1 rep. H2SO4 : 2 rep. NaOH) == (Hence, (8 x 0.4) = V x 0.1)

Physics Set
Preamble : Give the term the description ascribes to in the area of measurements . . .
a) The discrepancies and uncertainties that can occur during measurements.
Ans: Error
b) An error that consistently deviates from the true value in the same direction as a
result of biases in the measurement process or experiment set up.
Ans : Systematic error
c) The unpredictable and inconsistent variations that occur in measurements or
observations arising from various sources. Ans : Random error
d) An error that occurs as a result of incorrect positioning of the eyes while taking a
reading from a measuring scale.
Ans : Parallax error
e) The theoretical lowest temperature possible, where particles have minimal

vibrational motion.

Ans : Absolute Zero

a) Calculate the frequency of a photon with mass 6.6 ×1 0−4 Kg

Ans :9.0 ×1 0 Hz .
47
( f = mC2 / h)
b) Calculate the frequency of a wave particle of mass 33 ×1 0−5 Kg
46
Ans :4.5 ×1 0 H
c) Calculate the mass of a photon if it’s frequency is 9.0Hz.
Ans :6.6 ×1 0
−50
Kg ( m = hf/ C2).
d) Calculate the mass of a photon of frequency 3.0Hz.
−50
Ans :2.2× 10 Kg
−50
e) Calculate the mass of a particle of frequency 81Hz. Ans :59× 1 0 Hz

ROUND TWO (SPEED RACE)

1) The relative atomic mass of argon is greater than the relative atomic mass of
potassium even though the atomic number of potassium is greater than the atomic
number of argon, explain why? Ans : Argon has a greater proportion of
heavier isotopes OR Argon has a greater number of neutrons.
2) What is the pressure, in Pa inside a 1.0m3 cylinder containing 10Kg of H2(g) at 250C.
 Ans : 1 . 2 4 x 1 0 7 Pa
3) What is the major product of the reaction between HCl and but–2–ene ?
Ans : 2-Chlorobutane (addition reaction results in replacement of a hydrogen atom
in but-2-ene with a chlorine atom from HCl)
4) What name is given to a leaf without a petiole ? Ans : Sessile
5) The most abundant structural protein in the human body is found in ligaments and
skin. What is the name of this protein. Ans : Collagen
6) What name is given to the small circle of DNA that can transfer genes to or from a
prokaryote? Ans : Plasmid
( 2 x 1.5 +6 x−0.5 )
7) Solve for x if 0.5 −0.5
=x Ans : x=3∨2
x +5 x
8) The first term of an arithmetic series is −14 and the common difference is 4 . Find
the sum of the first 25 terms of the series. Ans : 8 5 0
1
9) Solve 2 log 4 y −log 4 ( 5 y−12 ) = Ans : y=4 , y=6
2
10) Calculate the force exerted on a point charge of 5.0 pC in an electric field of strength
12 ×1 0 V m . Ans : 6.0 ×1 0 N . (EQ = F)
4 −1 −7

11) An object of mass 3.0 ×1 0−5 Kg moves with a velocity of 6 i ms−1. What is its linear
−4 −4 −1
momentum? Ans :1.8× 1 0 i Ns∨1.8 ×1 0 Kgm s
12) The half-life of a radioactive element is 5.0 days. A freshly-prepared sample contains
128g of this element. After how many days will there be 16g of this element left
behind in the sample. Ans : 1 5 days

ROUND THREE (TRUE OR FALSE)

2+
PREAMBLE : Some of the reasons that make the equation Mg + Cu  Mg2+ + Cu a redox
reaction are that . . .

a) Magnesium gains electrons. False

b) Copper ions are oxidized. False
c) Magnesium decreases in oxidation number. False
d) Copper ions are reduced. True
e) Magnesium losses three electrons False
PREAMBLE : With respect to a Kite . . . . .

a) Angles formed between the uneven sides of a kite are unequal in measure. False
b) The diagonals of a kite intersect each other at right angles. True
c) The kite is split into two isosceles triangles by the longer diagonal. (False; shorter
diagonal)
d) The shorter diagonal is bisected perpendicularly by the longer diagonal. True
e) It’s symmetrical about its shorter diagonal. False (longer diagonal)

PREAMBLE : Consider the following statements with respect to inspired and expired
air . . .

a) Inspired air is normally colder than expired air. True

b) Inspired air is normally drier than expired air. True
c) Expired air has more oxygen than inspired air. False
d) Expired air has less water vapour than inspired air. False
e) Concentration of Nitrogen is same in both expired and inspired air . True

a) In a stationary wave, particles are temporarily at rest. False ( permanently at

rest).
b) In a stationary waves, energy of the waves is sometimes restricted or localised. False
(always restricted)
c) In progressive waves, neighbouring particles vibrate out of phase. True
d) In stationary waves, neighbouring particles vibrate in phase. True
e) In progressive waves, no points of the vibration are permanently at rest. True

PREAMBLE : This is an acid-base pair according to the Bronsted-Lowry Theory

a) HCOOH and OH- False

b) HNO3 and NO3 - True
a) H3O+ and OH- False
b) HCOOH and HCOO- True
c) H3PO4 and HPO4 2- False

a) A rational number times an irrational number is always irrational. True

b) An irrational number times an irrational number is always an irrational number.
False.
c) Every whole number is an integer True
d) The reciprocal of a non-zero rational number is also a rational number. True
e) The reciprocal of non-zero integer is also an integer False

P R E A M B L E : A man who was blood group A and a woman who was blood group B
had four children each with different blood groups A, B, AB and O. A possible type of
variation this demonstrate is that of . . .

a) Continuous, environmental and genetic. False

b) Discontinuous, environmental and genetic . False
c) Continuous and genetic only. False
d) Genetic and Environmental. False
e) Discontinuous and genetic only. True

a) Gamma rays has higher wavelength than ultraviolet . False

b) Gamma rays has lower frequency than x-ray. False
c) Microwave has lower linear momentum than visible light. True
d) Radio waves has higher linear momentum than TV waves. False
e) TV waves has lower energy than radio waves. False

ROUND FOUR (RIDDLES)

1) I am an optical instrument.
2) Just like some other colleagues of mine, my operations are based on the principle of
total internal reflection.
3) I was first introduced by the Italian military man Ignazio Porro.
4) Since I employ the use of all the two eyes, I am a “binocular”.
5) Two Perspex prisms are integral part of me. If you still doubt who I am, the two
prisms enhance the images before they enter the eyepiece lens. Who am I?
Ans : Prism Binocular
1) I am a type of polyhedron.
2) I have 6 faces.
3) I have 6 vertices.
4) My side shape is a triangle.
5) I have ten edges.
6) The shape of my base is a pentagon; so who am I ?
Ans : Pentagonal Pyramid

1) I am an organic compound.
2) I am a colourless liquid.
3) I am one of the several isomers of Octane.
4) I am an important component of gasoline.
5) I am frequently used in relatively large proportions to increase the knock resistance
of fuels.
6) My odour is petroleum-like, and I have 18 hydrogen atoms and 8 carbon atoms.
So who am I ? Ans : 2 , 2 , 4 – Trymethylpentane or
Iso-octane/Isooctane

1) If I were an animal, they probably would have classified me as a nocturnal creature

as I love to operate at night.
2) I occur through the hydathodes.
3) Optimally, I occur when root pressure is high and rate of transpiration is low.
4) I usually occur in the plants growing in the warm and humid climates.
5) I am the secretion of water droplets from the pores of plants.
So who am I ?
Ans : Guttation