SJS MEGA TRIALS, 2025

CONTEST 6

ROUND ONE

FUNDAMENTALS

Indicate whether the following limiting factors are density-independent or density-dependent;

1. Availability of food Ans: density-dependent

2. Pollution Ans: density – independent
3. Earthquake Ans: density – independent
4. Predation Ans: density-dependent

QUESTION: Mention one of the main organs involved with homeostasis in mammals

i. The lungs
ii. The skin
iii. The kidney
iv. The liver
v. The pancreas
vi. Hypothalamus and pituitary gland

PREAMBLE: Find the surface gravity of the spherical object with the given properties.

1. Radius equals 1.8 × 106 𝑚𝑚 and mass equals 7.2 × 1022 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘. Ans: 1.5 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −2

2. Radius equals 2.5 × 103 𝑚𝑚 and mass equals 1.5 × 1014 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘. Ans: 0.0016 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −2

3. Radius equals 1.6 × 104 𝑚𝑚 and mass equals 8.0 × 1018 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘. Ans: 2.1 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −2

4. Radius equals 1.6 × 104 𝑚𝑚 and mass equals 9.6 × 1018 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘. Ans: 2.5 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −2

PREAMBLE: A group of rigid bodies consisting of a uniform sphere, hollow sphere, a disc, and
uniform cylinder. Each of mass 120 𝑔𝑔 were placed at the top of an inclined plane inclined at 30°
to the horizontal. They are then set into motion to roll on the incline. The length of the incline
plane is 3.6 𝑚𝑚 and the local gravity at the region is 9.80 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −2 .

1. Find the translational kinetic energy of the uniform sphere. Ans: 1.5 J

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 2. Find the rotational kinetic energy of the disc. Ans: 0.71 J

3. Find the translational kinetic energy of the uniform cylinder. Ans: 1.4 J

4. Find the total kinetic energy of the hollow sphere. Ans: 2.1 J

PREAMBLE: Find the number of sides of a regular polygon if it has

1. 21 straight angles Ans: 23 sides
2. 18 straight angles Ans: 10 sides
3. 82 right angles Ans: 43 sides
4. 19 straight angles Ans: 21 sides

PREAMBLE: Find the values of the constants a and b such that;

1. ax2 +bx + 20 < 0 has solution set {𝑥𝑥 ∶ 𝑥𝑥 < 5 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑥𝑥 > 4} Ans: a = -1, b = 9
2. ax2 +bx + 6 > 0 has solution set {𝑥𝑥 ∶ −2 < 𝑥𝑥 < −3} Ans: a = -1, b = -5
3. ax2 +bx – 24 < 0 has solution set {𝑥𝑥 ∶ −6 < 𝑥𝑥 < 4} Ans: a = 1, b = 2
4. ax2 +bx -18 > 0 has solution set {𝑥𝑥 ∶ −3 < 𝑥𝑥 < 6} Ans: a = -1, b = 3

Given that the enthalpy change for the reaction;

1. 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O is −572kJ/mol, calculate the standard enthalpy of formation of water

Ans: -286kJmol-1

2. Given that the enthalpy change for the reaction

C + O2 → CO2 is −393. kJ/mol, calculate the standard enthalpy of formation of CO.
Ans: − 393.5kJ mol-1

3. Given that the enthalpy change for the reaction

CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O is −890kJ/mol, calculate the standard enthalpy of formation of
methane if the enthalpy formation of CO2 is −393.5kJ/mol and H2O is−241.8kJ/mol.
Ans: +12.9kJ mol-1

4. Given that the enthalpy change for the reaction N2 + 3H2 →2NH3 is −92kJ/mol, calculate
the standard enthalpy of formation of ammonia. Ans: − 46 kJ mol-1

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PREAMBLE: Chromatography is an essential separation technique in chemistry used to
analyze, identify, and purify components of a mixture. Various types of chromatography—such
as paper, thin-layer, column, and gas chromatography—employ different instruments and
components to achieve separation.

1. In gas chromatography (GC), mention the part that holds the stationary phase and
through which the sample travels for separation. Ans: Column

2. In thin-layer chromatography (TLC), name the surface on which the stationary phase is
coated. Ans: Glass plate / TLC plate / Plastic or aluminum support

3. In paper chromatography, mention the part that acts as the stationary phase.
Ans: Filter paper

4. In high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), name one component that helps

maintain consistent pressure and flow of the mobile phase. Ans: Pump

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 ROUND TWO
SPEEDRACE
1. The refractive index of BK7 glass is approximately 1.5 at 525 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛. What is the speed in
BK7 glass of monochromatic light of wavelength 525 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛? Ans: 2.0 × 108 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −1

2. Find the resistance of a resistor which carries a current of 3 𝐴𝐴 when the voltage across it
is 24 𝑉𝑉. Ans: 8 𝛺𝛺

3. Find the horizontal range of a projectile launched at 15° above the horizontal with speed
24 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −1 . Ans: 29 𝒎𝒎

1. Name the book in which Darwin published his theory of natural selection.
Ans: The origin of life

2. What is the end product of anaerobic respiration in yeast? Ans: Ethanol and CO₂

3. What plant hormone delay leaf aging (senescence)? Ans: Cytokinin

1. Three fair coins are thrown together once. Find the probability of obtaining even number
𝟕𝟕 4 3
of heads or exactly two tails. Ans: 𝟖𝟖 (8 + 8)

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
2. Find 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 from the implicit function 2x2 + 3xy + 2y2 = 25
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 − (𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒+𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑)
Ans: 𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
= 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑+𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒

3. Find the number of non-empty proper subsets of the set with 6 elements. Ans: 62
subsets

1. In order of abundance, which element is the most abundant in the crust of the earth
Ans: Oxygen

2. State the hybridisation of the triiodide ion, I3- Ans: sp3d

3. In the electrolytic purification of copper, explain why the anode gradually decreases in
mass.
Ans: Copper atoms at the anode lose electrons to form Cu²⁺ ions, which enter the
solution, causing the anode to lose mass.

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 ROUND THREE

TRUE OR FALSE

1. The energy of a photon is inversely proportional to the frequency of the photon False
2. The energy of a photon is proportional of the square of the linear momentum of the
photon False
3. The energy of a photon equals mc2 is where m is rest mass and v is speed of light in
a vacuum False
4. One joule equals 6.24 x 10-18 eV False

1. An electric field cannot change the kinetic energy of a charge False

2. An electric field cannot change the velocity of a charge False
3. The force exerted by an electric field on a charge is always in the direction of motion of
the charge False
4. An electric field cannot exert a force on a stationary charge. False

PREAMBLE: You are given the reaction Fe2O3 + CO �⎯⎯⎯⎯� Fe + CO2, based on the reaction:

1. CO is the reducing agent because it contains Carbon False

2. Fe2O3 is the reducing agent because it reduces the CO False
3. CO is the oxidizing agent because it oxidizes Fe2O3 False
4. CO is the oxidizing agent because it has been oxidized to CO2. False

1. H2SO4 is classified as a weak acid False

2. HClO2 is classified as a weak acid True
3. HClO4 is classified as a weak acid False
4. HNO2 is classified as a weak acid True

1. A relation has an inverse if it is one to one. True

2. A relation has an inverse only if it is one to one. False
3. A relation has an inverse if it is many to one. True
4. A relation has an inverse if it is many to many. True

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An implication is true whenever,

1. the conclusion is false, False

2. the conclusion is true, False
3. the hypothesis is true, False
4. the hypothesis is false. True

1. The brain and spinal cord are two parts of the central nervous system. True
2. The peripheral nervous system is made up of neurons that transmit signals between the
body’s various components and the CNS. True
3. Like other cells, a neuron is an organized and functioning element of the nervous system
that is irregular in shape and is capable of conducting electrochemical impulses. False
4. The autonomic nervous system is involved in voluntary behavior. False

1. The beak of a domestic fowl contains teeth for grinding food. False
2. The comb and wattles are larger in hens than in cockerels. False
3. The wings of a domestic fowl have quill feathers essential for flight. True
4. The gizzard in a domestic fowl is responsible for grinding and softening food. True

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 ROUND FOUR

RIDDLES

1. I am a quadratic equation
2. My leading coefficient is an identity
3. My coefficient are integers
4. However, I have no real roots
5. The sum of my roots is 5
6. The product of my roots is 7
Who am I? x2 - 5x + 7 = 0

1. We are a class belonging to phylum Arthropoda

2. My members are venomous and can inflict painful strings
3. To escape sunlight my kind seek shelter or adopt nocturnal habits
4. Many of my species lack eyes, but some have ocelli or have simple eyes
5. If we are commonly known as centipedes
Who am I? CLASS CHILOPODA

1. I am an inorganic compound containing a transition metal.

2. I am a strong oxidizing agent in acidic solution.
3. I appear purple in aqueous solution.
4. My central atom has an oxidation state of +7.
5. I am commonly used in redox titrations as a self-indicator.
POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE (KMNO₄)

1. I am one of the base units in the SI system

2. I am the unit light can claim, not for heat, but for brightness fame
3. My journey began in 2014, thanks to Gustav Hasselskog
4. Photometry is where I lead for measuring light, I’m what you need
5. I am equivalent to the lumen per steradian
6. I serve as the SI unit for luminous intensity
Who am I? CANDELA