Science Academic Olympiad Study Guide
Questions will be aligned with the Utah State Science Core Curriculum for Earth Science, Biology,
Chemistry, and Physics [http://www.schools.utah.gov/CURR/science/Core.aspx].
Consequently, the Chemistry and Physics reference sheets provided by USOE will be permitted for use
on the Science Test as well as complying with the SAGE Science Calculator Policy. http://
www.schools.utah.gov/assessment/Adaptive-Assessment-System/Science.aspx
Earth Science Standards Areas for focus

Understand the scientific evidence that supports theories that explain how the universe and the
solar system developed. Compare Earth to other objects in the solar system.

Understand Earth’s internal structure and the dynamic nature of the tectonic plates that form its
surface.

Students will understand the atmospheric processes that support life and cause weather and climate.

Understand dynamics of the hydrosphere.
Biology Standards Areas for focus

Understand that living organisms interact with one another and their environment.

Understand the relationship between structure and function of organs and organ systems.

Understand that genetic information coded in DNA is passed from parents to offspring by sexual
and asexual reproduction. The basic structure of DNA is the same in all living things. Changes in
DNA may alter genetic expression.
Chemistry Standards Areas for focus

Understand all matter in the universe has a common origin and is made of atoms, which have
structure and can be systematically arranged on the periodic table.

Understand chemical bonding and the relationship of the type of bonding to the chemical and
physical properties of substances.

Understand that in chemical reactions matter and energy change forms, but the amounts of matter and energy do not change.

Understand the properties that describe solutions in terms of concentration, solutes, solvents, and
the behavior of acids and bases
Physics Standards Areas for focus

Understand how to measure, calculate, and describe the motion of an object in terms of position,
time, velocity, and acceleration/

Understand the relation between force, mass, and acceleration.

Understand the factors determining the strength of gravitational and electric forces.

Understand transfer and conservation of energy.

Understand the properties and applications of waves.
Sample Questions
1. Trade winds are persistent easterly winds developed between
A) subtropical high pressure and equatorial doldrum.
B) subtropical high pressure and subpolar low pressure.
C) westerlies and polar highs.
D) gale forces and polar lows.
2. The name of a rapid rise of coastal water that accompanies the arrival of a cyclone is called
A) hurricane
B) storm surge
C) tidal wave
E) cyclonista
3.
Which of the following processes doesn't account for an increase in atmospheric CO 2 levels?
A) deforestation
B) photosynthetic processes
C) plant respiration
D) fossil fuel combustion
4.
Which metal has the lowest melting point?
A) Li
B) Na
C) K
D) Rb
5.
The formula for terbium phosphate is TbPO4. The formula for terbium sulfate is
A) Tb2SO4
B) TbS04
C) Tb2(SO4)3
D) Tb(SO4)2
6.
In the Lewis structure of ozone, O3, what is the formal charge on the central oxygen?
A) 2B) 1C) 0
D) 1+
7.
Two forces have magnitudes of 11 N and 5 N. The magnitude of their sum could NOT be equal to
which of the following values? ?
A) 16 N
B) 5 N
C) 9 N
D) 7 N
8.
If the distance between two objects, each of mass 'M', is tripled, the force of attraction between the
two objects is
A) 1/2 the original force
B) 1/3 the original force
C) 1/9 the original force
D) unchanged
1.
A
2.
B
3.
B
4.
D
5.
C
6.
D
7.
B
8.
C