2016 BSC Junior (7&8) Paper and Answers

2016
Junior Paper Years78
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Do not open this booklet until told to do so by your teacher.
2. Use only B or 2B pencil.
3. Answers must be recorded on the answer sheet provided.
There is no penalty for an incorrect answer
4. Calculators may be used.
5. Diagrams are not necessarily drawn to scale.
TIME
50 minutes
30 Questions
All questions have equal marks
PLASTIC ROADS
Plastic waste is a major type of pollution.
There are many types of plastic. The use
of waste plastic in road surfaces is being
investigated.
Two things are done to the waste plastics An image has been
before they can be used as part of a road removed due to
surface: copyright. Its removal
does not affect the
1. the plastics are sorted and the question or your ability
required type of plastic selected to answer it.
2. the selected plastic is cut into tiny
pieces.
Once the waste plastic has been sorted
and cut into pieces, it is melted. The
melted plastic can then be moulded into
any shape needed.
1 Which property is most likely to be used to select the required type of plastic from the waste?
A the colour of the plastic
B the shape of the plastic
C the original use of the plastic
D the chemical composition of the plastic
2 The plastic to be used in the road surface has been tested over a temperature range of –40 °C to
+80 °C.
Why was this range of temperature used to test the plastic?
A The range would cover most weather conditions.
B –40 °C is the coldest temperature possible.
C The range contains simple numbers, so calculations based on them are easier to carry out.
D The range does not need to exceed +80 °C as all solids turn to liquid at this temperature.
2016 Big Science Competition Junior Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 2
ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 2 16/02/2016 10:08 am

COW MAGNETS
When cows eat grass, any metal objects in the grass are eaten as well. These objects can damage the
gut of the cow and this damage can cause the cow to become ill. This condition is known as hardware
disease.
To prevent some metal objects causing hardware disease the cow has a powerful magnet placed in the
upper part of its gut. The magnet does not harm the cow and collects any magnetic objects that the cow
swallows. These objects, and the magnet, remain in the first part of the cow’s gut where they do not
cause hardware disease.
Magnet
(approximate size: 2 cm diameter,
Location of the magnet in the upper part 9 cm long)
of a cow’s gut (magnet not to scale)
Note the ceramic discs separating
the five magnets
3 Which of these objects would be collected by the magnet inside the cow?
A iron nail
B copper wire
C aluminium drink can
D bronze (copper and nickel alloy) coin
4 Which of these facts about magnets best explains why five small magnets are used rather than a
single large magnet?
A More magnetic poles means more places to attract objects.
B Permanent magnets become demagnetised if they are heated.
C Magnetic forces are able to pass through non-magnetic materials.
D The poles of magnets will align themselves with the Earth’s magnetic field.

UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES
Cane Toads (Rhinella marina) are a major feral pest in Australia. They were introduced from South
America to eat cane beetles damaging sugar crops.
An Australian study looked at the changes that occur when Cane Toads first arrive in a habitat.
The five year study found:
• the number of large predatory lizards halved
• the survival rate of Crimson Finch chicks almost doubled.
Cane Toad Water Monitor Crimson Finch

(insect-eating toad) (predatory lizard) (seed-eating bird)
5 How is the increased survival of the finch chicks best explained?

A The adult birds used the toads as a source of food for the chicks.
B The toads disturbed insects that finches could eat.
C The scientists conducting the study were protecting the finches.
D Fewer chicks were being eaten by the lizards.
6 What is the most likely impact on the study habitat of the increased survival of finch chicks?
A The Crimson Finch will become extinct because of a lack of food.
B The Crimson Finch will become a pest species like the Cane Toad.
C There will be no impact on the habitat because food webs do not change.
D Some plant species may become less common as more seeds are eaten.

ANCHORS AWAY
An electric windlass is a winch that raises and lowers an anchor using a motor. Lubricants are added to
the chain so it moves smoothly through the chain-handling wheel.
An electrical windlass
7 If no electrical power is available on a boat, the chain-handling wheel can be loosened. This
allows the anchor and chain to move freely to the ocean floor.
What makes the anchor move to the ocean floor?
A The large mass of the anchor.
B The force of gravity on the anchor.
C The large amount of chain available.
D The force provided by water pressure.
8 The lubricant reduces the friction between the chain and the chain-handling wheel.
The lubricant also provides a layer of protection between metal objects and sea water.
Which additional problem does this layer of lubricant reduce?
A rusting
B slipping
C burning
D evaporation

HOT HEADS
The Saharan Silver Ant lives in the Sahara desert. They are about 10 mm long.
The ants have to endure extreme temperatures. The sand on the surface can reach up to 70 °C.
The ants leave their nest during the hottest part of the day – after the air temperature has reached 46 °C.
Most of their predators have taken shelter at this time of day.
The ants can leave their nest for no more than 10 minutes. They must keep their body temperature
below 53.6 °C or they will die. While out of their nest, they move quickly to search for dead insects
and bring them back to their nest.
The ants are covered in microscopic silver hairs. To determine the purpose of the silver hairs heat is
shone onto the ant’s head, with and without hairs present.
Temperature of the head of a Saharan Silver Ant with and without hair

9 Which of these statements is supported by the images on the previous page?
Select the column that contains the correct set of responses.
Is this statement supported by the images? A B C D
All energy from a heat source is reflected by the silver hairs. yes yes no no
The presence of silver hairs reduces the ant’s head temperature

no yes no yes
by about 5–10 °C.
On the Sahara desert sand the body temperature of the ants
yes no yes no
without hairs will be around 35–45 °C.
10 Which of these will affect the daily above ground activities of the Saharan Silver Ant?
Select the column that contains the correct set of responses.
Will this affect daily above ground activities? A B C D
behaviour of predators yes yes no no
temperature of the sand surface yes yes no yes
location of food sources no yes yes no
size of the ant nest no no yes yes

MILLIONS OF DAM BALLS
Water levels in reservoirs in California, USA, are at record low levels.
As a result, a city has covered one of its reservoirs with millions of black plastic balls.
An image has been

removed due to copyright.
It’s removal does not affect
the question or your ability
to answer it.
11 What benefits are there in covering the surface of a water reservoir with black plastic balls?
Select the column that provides a correct response for each benefit.
Is this a benefit from using the black plastic balls? A B C D
reduces evaporation no yes yes yes
raises the water level no no yes no
reduces the growth of algae yes yes yes no

12 What is the consequence of using black balls instead of white balls to cover the reservoir?
A Black balls can cover more of the surface.
B Black balls can reflect more heat.
C Black balls can absorb more light.
D Black balls float higher in the water.
13 The plastic balls are designed to cover as much surface area as possible.
This has been done by making the plastic balls float at a specific depth.
The lines on the diagram show four possible depths at which the plastic balls could float.
The lines represent the surface of the water.
At which depth would the balls cover the most surface area?
A W
B X
C Y
D Z

PLASTIC DUCKS
In 2006 nearly 30,000 plastic bath toys fell from a ship
in the North Pacific Ocean. The toys were contained in
plastic pack, with a cardboard backing. After a few
hours the cardboard separated from the pack. This left An image has been
the toys floating in the ocean. removed due to
copyright. It’s
Note: the black cardboard is glued to the edge of the removal does not
plastic covering the duck. affect the question or
your ability to answer
it.
14 Eventually some of the plastic toys filled with water. However, even when full of water they
floated on the surface of the sea.
What does this observation tell us about this plastic?
A The plastic must contain air bubbles.
B The plastic was not a natural material.
C The plastic has a lower density than sea water.
D The plastic contains chemicals that react with sea water.
15 In scientific studies the results of a test can be positive or negative.

• A positive test shows that something is present.
• A negative test shows that something is absent.
However, mistakes can be made in tests that affect the result.
• A false positive is one where the result of the test is positive, but it really should be
negative.
• A false negative is one where the result of the test is negative, but it really should be
positive.
In 2007 a plastic bath toy was found on a beach in Devon in the UK. Some people claimed
this was one of the toys that had been lost in the North Pacific Ocean. However, it was soon
discovered that the toy was not from the cargo lost in that ocean.
How would the finding of the toy on the beach in Devon be best classified?
A positive
B negative
C false negative
D false positive

DRONES
Drones are remotely controlled aircraft. Some drones fly like planes, while others fly like helicopters.
Helicopter drones have many spinning blades. These drones are able to hover in a stationary position.
Helicopter drone carrying a camera
16 What limits the load that a helicopter drone can lift off the ground?
A The difference in volume between the drone and the load it is lifting.
B The difference in mass between the drone and the load it is lifting.
C The difference between the up-force created by the drone and down-forces acting on it.
D The difference between the minimum and maximum up-force that can be created by the
spinning blades.
17 Drones and full-sized helicopters with identical cameras attached to them can be used to carry
out animal surveys.
What advantages are there in the use of small helicopter drones rather than full-sized
helicopters?
Select the column that provides a correct response for each statement.
Would the use of helicopter drones provide this advantage

A B C D
to a scientific study?
lower costs yes yes no no
the information gathered would be easier to interpret yes no yes no
less disturbance in the survey area yes yes no no

RE-USING METALS
A number of different types of metals are used in TVs and computers. The metals include lead, copper
and gold.
People are encouraged to recycle these consumer goods.
An image has been removed due to

copyright. It’s removal does not affect
the question or your ability to answer it.
18 Recycling can be of benefit to our environment.

Which column correctly assesses this benefit?
Select the column that provides a correct response for each statement.
Is this a benefit of recycling consumer goods? A B C D
Non-renewable resources can be used again. yes yes yes no
Lower amounts of toxic metals will enter the environment. no yes yes no
The number of new consumer goods purchased can be

no no yes yes
increased.

19 A recent report said that copper supplies from readily mined deposits will run out in 30 years.
Scientists disagree, and said that these existing deposits can last 100 years.
Why would scientists think the mining of these copper deposits can continue for another
100 years?
A These copper deposits are found in several countries.
B There are no impacts on the environment due to copper mining so there is no reason to
stop mining.
C Billions of tons of readily mined copper are produced each year.
D There are plenty of these existing deposits within the reach of current technologies.
20 Recycling metals from consumer goods can save money.

How does recycling metals save money?
Select the column that shows recycling activities that save money.
Does this explain how recycling can save money? A B C D
One ton of old computers contain more gold that can be mined
yes no yes yes
from 17 tonnes of ore containing gold.
Recycling aluminium uses only 10% of the energy needed to
yes yes no no
mine aluminium.

SAVING WATER
‘Green roofs’ retain some of the rainwater that falls on them. A green roof is made from many layers of
materials. The upmost layer of a green roof is a layer of plants. Green roofs help reduce the amount of
stormwater entering rivers.
A building with a green roof Layers within a green roof
21 Are these good reasons for reducing the amount of stormwater that enters rivers?
Select the column that identifies the good reasons.
Is this a good reason? A B C D
The water cycle has limits to the quantity of water it can store. yes no yes no
The stormwater carries pollutants into the rivers. no yes no yes
The large volume of water can cause damage to vegetation

yes no yes yes
along river banks.
The banks of a river can be eroded by the incoming water. no yes yes yes

JAKOBSHAVN GLACIER
80% of the island of Greenland is covered in ice sheets and glaciers. The Jakobshavn Glacier is the
fastest moving glacier in the world.
Map showing location of Greenland and the Jakobshavn Glacier
Over two days in August 2015, 12.5 km2 of ice broke off from the end of the glacier into the sea.
It has been claimed that the loss of this much ice in such a short time is clear evidence of global
warming.
22 Which piece of information helps assess if this ice loss is evidence of global warming?
A The volume of the ice released rather than just its surface area.
B The temperature on the glacier when the ice was released.
C The amount of ice normally released into the sea at this time of the year.
D The amount of carbon dioxide in the air above the glacier when the ice was released.
23 Some of the ice in the Greenland ice sheet is 100,000 years old. Scientists have sampled this
ice and used it to investigate past climates. To do this they examine cores of ice.
What must be true for the scientists to be able to accurately model climate from the ice
samples?
A The ice must be easy to sample safely.
B The ice must contain no evidence of human activity.
C Ice from one period of time must not contaminate ice from another period of time.
D The same amount of ice must have been added to the ice sheet in each year sampled.

WALKING IN SPACE
Astronauts walking on the Moon often lost their balance. A recent study has shown that humans
need to feel at least 15 per cent of the gravitational force on Earth to know which way is ‘up’. The
researchers reported that this is good news for future missions to Mars.
An astronaut walking on the Moon
24 On Earth, we are able to know which way is ‘up’ and which way is ‘down’. The pull of gravity
provides the stimulus.
Which body organ contains sensors to detect the pull of gravity?
A the ear
B the eye
C the skin
D the brain

25 Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) feel weightless.
Several techniques are used on the ISS to establish a common sense of ‘up’ for the astronauts.
Select the column that provides a correct set of responses.
Does this visual stimulus provide astronauts with a sense

A B C D
of ‘up’?
Writing on the walls is oriented in the same direction. yes yes no yes
Astronauts are told to point their legs in the same direction as

yes no yes yes
other astronauts do.
Astronauts can flip themselves upside down to experience a
no yes yes yes
sensation of spinning.
The design and furniture in each section of the ISS is set out
yes yes yes no
in the same way.
26 The researchers said ‘this is good news for future missions to Mars’.
Which of these can explain this comment?
A Mars has two moons of its own.
B Mars has a greater diameter than the Moon.
C Mars and the Moon have very similar landscapes.
D The gravitational force on Mars must be greater than on Earth’s Moon.

ELECTRIC CARS
Sales of electric cars are growing rapidly. Electric cars produce no greenhouse gases when they are
being driven. However, it is not accurate to say that they produce no pollution.
27 Which of these activities are possible sources of pollution by electric cars?

Select the column that provides a correct response for each source.
Is this a possible source of pollution by electric cars? A B C D
manufacturing a car yes no yes yes
charging the battery of a car from a power point yes no no yes
making parts of a car from natural materials no yes yes yes
disposing of parts of a car when it is no longer needed no yes no yes
28 Electric cars produce about 20% less heat than cars that use petrol.
A study found that only using electric cars in large cities would have a number of benefits.
The benefits include:
• less pollution released by cars within the city.
• the temperature within the city falling by as much as 1 °C.
How would this fall in temperature reduce the amount of greenhouse gases being released into
the air?
A Lower temperatures mean that houses will be easier to insulate in the winter.
B The lower temperatures would encourage the use of public transport.
C Buildings would need less air conditioning in summer.
D Natural rates of decomposition would be faster.

NANO-FILTERS
Nano-particles are extremely small. They can pass through the holes in typical filters.
Plant fibre can now be used to make nano-filters that remove these very small particles.
29 A substance is produced in the form of nano-particles. It is also produced as a single, large

block.
What is the difference between the same mass of the nano-particles and the block of material?
A the density of the particles
B the weight of material present
C the total surface area present
D the substance’s chemical composition
30 A nano-filter can remove 100 nm sized particles from a solution.

What other sized particles is this nano-filter able to remove?
Select the column that provides a correct response for each particle.
Can this particle size be removed? A B C D
50 nm yes no yes no
200 nm no yes yes no
500 nm no yes no no

2016 - Big Science Competition - Junior paper - Answers
Correct
Question Description
Response
1 Uses knowledge that different materials have different properties to solve a problem. D
2 Uses knowledge of extreme weather to explain part of an experimental design. A
3 Identifies a magnetic material. A
4 Uses scientific knowledge of magnets to assess the design of a device. A
5 Uses scientific knowledge of food chains to explain the result of a study. D
6 Makes a prediction based on scientific knowledge of food chains. D
7 Selects the correct explanation of movement of an object as being due to gravity. B
8 Identifies rusting as the reason for why lubricant solves a practical problem. A
9 Determines if statements made are supported by data presented in a novel form. D
10 Identifies how a particular adaptation aids survival. B
11 Identifies how an invention addresses a contemporary issue. B
12 Uses scientific knowledge of heat and light to explain the design of a product. C
13 Uses scientific knowledge of materials to explain the design of a product. C
14 Uses scientific knowledge of forces and density to explain an observation. C
15 Reflects on the quality of data collected as part of a study. D
16 Uses knowledge of forces to explain a lifting force. C
17 Identifies how a new technologies could be advantageous in scientific studies. B
18 Recognises reasons for recycling resources. B
19 Identifies new evidence to will inform a claim. D
20 Identifies outcomes of recycling that are likely to result in economic advantage. A
21 Identifies problems associated with increased stormwater runoff. D
22 Identifies a piece of information that would improve the quality of a scientific statement. C
23 Identifies a factor that is vital for the use of a data set. C
24 Knows that gravity is sensed by the ear. A
25 Identifies how spacecraft design takes into account the effects of lack of gravity. A
26 Uses scientific understanding to evaluate and identify a valid conclusion. D
27 Identifies sources of pollution associated with electric cars. D
28 Understands how energy use can be effected by climate. C
29 Identifies a change in the properties of a materials based on particle size. C
30 Uses scientific knowledge to predict the behaviour of a filter. B

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2016

ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 2 16/02/2016 10:08 am

ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 3 16/02/2016 10:08 am

Cane Toad Water Monitor Crimson Finch

5 How is the increased survival of the finch chicks best explained?

ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 4 16/02/2016 10:08 am

ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 5 16/02/2016 10:08 am

ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 6 16/02/2016 10:08 am

Is this statement supported by the images? A B C D

The presence of silver hairs reduces the ant’s head temperature

Will this affect daily above ground activities? A B C D

behaviour of predators yes yes no no

temperature of the sand surface yes yes no yes

location of food sources no yes yes no

size of the ant nest no no yes yes

ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 7 16/02/2016 10:08 am

An image has been

Is this a benefit from using the black plastic balls? A B C D

reduces evaporation no yes yes yes

raises the water level no no yes no

reduces the growth of algae yes yes yes no

ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 8 16/02/2016 10:08 am

ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 9 16/02/2016 10:08 am

15 In scientific studies the results of a test can be positive or negative.

ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 10 16/02/2016 10:08 am

Helicopter drone carrying a camera

Would the use of helicopter drones provide this advantage

lower costs yes yes no no

the information gathered would be easier to interpret yes no yes no

less disturbance in the survey area yes yes no no

ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 11 16/02/2016 10:08 am

An image has been removed due to

18 Recycling can be of benefit to our environment.

Is this a benefit of recycling consumer goods? A B C D

Non-renewable resources can be used again. yes yes yes no

The number of new consumer goods purchased can be

ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 12 16/02/2016 10:08 am

20 Recycling metals from consumer goods can save money.

Does this explain how recycling can save money? A B C D

ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 13 16/02/2016 10:08 am

A building with a green roof Layers within a green roof

Is this a good reason? A B C D

The stormwater carries pollutants into the rivers. no yes no yes

The large volume of water can cause damage to vegetation

ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 14 16/02/2016 10:08 am

Map showing location of Greenland and the Jakobshavn Glacier

ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 15 16/02/2016 10:08 am

An astronaut walking on the Moon

ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 16 16/02/2016 10:08 am

Does this visual stimulus provide astronauts with a sense

Astronauts are told to point their legs in the same direction as

ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 17 16/02/2016 10:08 am

27 Which of these activities are possible sources of pollution by electric cars?

Is this a possible source of pollution by electric cars? A B C D

manufacturing a car yes no yes yes

charging the battery of a car from a power point yes no no yes

making parts of a car from natural materials no yes yes yes

disposing of parts of a car when it is no longer needed no yes no yes

ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 18 16/02/2016 10:08 am

29 A substance is produced in the form of nano-particles. It is also produced as a single, large

30 A nano-filter can remove 100 nm sized particles from a solution.

Can this particle size be removed? A B C D

200 nm no yes yes no

ASI 2016 Jnr Final Form.indd 19 16/02/2016 10:08 am

2016 BSC Junior (7&8) Paper and Answers

2016 BSC Junior (7&8) Paper and Answers