2020

Year 8 Paper
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
 WIND TREES
A French company has designed and produced an unusual wind turbine called a ‘wind tree’.
The branches of a wind tree hold many micro wind turbines, each of which looks like a leaf. Each micro
wind turbine generates electricity as it spins.

A wind tree Conventional wind turbine

1 What best describes how the micro wind turbines generate electricity?
A They convert one type of energy into another type of energy.
B They capture electricity that is present in the wind.
C They store electricity for later use.
D They generate static electricity.

2 Each micro turbine ‘leaf’ of the wind tree spins when it is hit by the force of the wind. The
‘leaves’ of the wind tree spin when the wind blows at 9 km per hour or more. However, when
wind speeds reach 65 km per hour a brake system is activated.
Which of these is the most likely outcome of including a brake system in each ‘leaf’?
A There will be a maximum power output per ‘leaf’.
B High wind speeds determine the safe number of ‘leaves’ per tree.
C Electricity will only be generated at wind speeds less than 9 km per hour.
D Wind trees would not be recommended for urban areas with average wind speeds less
than 65 km per hour.

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 2
 3D PRINTED ORGANS
Scientists are trying to develop 3D printed organs. These organs could be used to replace
damaged organs.
The 3D printed organs will be created using this process:
1. a cell is harvested (taken) from a patient’s organ (such as the heart)
2. the cell is placed in a flask containing nutrient rich liquid to grow and multiply
3. the cells are collected and used to ‘print’ an organ of appropriate shape
4. the printed organ is transplanted into the patient.

3 In what organ system is the heart found?

A the nervous system
B the endocrine system
C the circulatory system
D the respiratory system

4 At present, transplanted organs come from another person (donor).

The use of these 3D printed organs rather than donor organs means that the new organ will not
be attacked by the patient’s immune system.
Which of these situations would cause the immune system of a patient to attack a
transplanted organ?
A When the transplanted organ’s cells were 3D printed from the patient’s own cells.
B When the transplanted organ’s cells are those of a different individual than the patient.
C When the transplanted organ’s cells were grown from the patient’s damaged heart.
D When the transplanted organ’s cells are not the same age as the cells in the rest of the
patient’s body.

5 A new development involves a network of plastic tubes being printed within an organ. After the
whole organ is printed, these plastic tubes are dissolved, leaving a network of empty tunnels.
Why does the organ need to have the empty tunnels within it?
A After transplant, the tunnels will allow air to reach all cells.
B After transplant, the tunnels will allow blood to reach all cells.
C The tunnels mean that less cells are needed to print the organ.
D The tunnels will reduce the effect of the immune system on the organ.

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 3
 TENG DEVICES
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are a technology that allows the energy produced by body
movements to contribute to powering electronic devices. For example, swinging an arm while wearing a
smartwatch containing a TENG can generate some of the electricity to power the watch.

A smartwatch

6 Which form of energy is converted into electrical energy by the TENG?

A heat energy
B light energy
C sound energy
D kinetic energy

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 4
7 An engineering goal is to power a smartwatch using only a TENG.
Making improvements to which features will help achieve this goal?
Select the column that provides a correct response for each desired outcome.

Will improving this feature help achieve the goal? A B C D

The efficiency of conversion of movement to electricity in

no yes no yes
the TENG.
The amount of recyclable materials used in the construction
yes no no no
of the smartwatch.

The toughness of the smartwatch in daily use. no yes yes no

The amount of energy consumed by the smartwatch. yes no yes yes

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 5
 THE GOBLIN
In 2015, a new dwarf planet orbiting far beyond Neptune was discovered by astronomers. Nicknamed
‘the Goblin’, it takes about 40 000 years to orbit the Sun.

Neptune

Earth

Mars

The Moon

Pluto

The Goblin

The size of the Goblin compared to other planets and dwarf planets

Astronomers are excited because studying the behaviour of the Goblin might provide evidence to
support the idea that a large planet exists beyond Neptune.
It is predicted that this large planet:
• is the same size as Neptune
• orbits the Sun at 20 times the distance that Neptune does.

8 Which aspect of the Goblin is most likely to be altered by the presence of a large planet
beyond Neptune?
A the size of the Goblin
B what the Goblin is made of
C the shape of the Goblin’s orbit
D the amount of light produced by the Goblin

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 6
9 Even with our current technology, the Goblin is incredibly difficult to detect.
What factors might contribute to the Goblin being more difficult to detect than other known
planets in the Solar System?
Select the column that provides a correct response for each factor.

Could this factor contribute to the Goblin being more

A B C D
difficult to detect than other known planets?

The Goblin’s orbit takes it very far away from Earth. yes yes no yes

The amount of light reflected by the Goblin. yes yes no no

The Goblin is small compared to other planets. yes no yes no

The Goblin is always eclipsed by the Sun. no no yes yes

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 7
 ANGOLAN DWARF GALAGO
The Angolan Dwarf Galago is an animal species that has just been discovered in Angola, Africa.
Despite the large size of this new species, scientists classified it as a type of Dwarf Galago, and not a
Bushbaby, which tend to be larger than Dwarf Galagos.
The calls (sounds) that the new species make are similar to the calls made by other species of Dwarf
Galago. The calls were an important part of classifying the new species as a Dwarf Galago.

An Angolan Dwarf Galago

10 Based on how the Angolan Dwarf Galago was classified, what can be concluded?
A Unlike Dwarf Galagos, Bushbabies do not have unique calls.
B Unlike Dwarf Galagos, there is only one species of Bushbaby.
C The calls of Bushbabies and Dwarf Galagos are different from each other.
D The size of each animal is how Bushbabies and Dwarf Galagos are characterised.

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 8
11 Many Dwarf Galagos are omnivores.
Which of these foods could be eaten by an omnivore?
Select the column that provides a correct response for each food.

Could this food be eaten by an omnivore? A B C D

insects yes no yes yes

fruits no yes yes yes

leaves no yes no yes

12 Finding new species, like the Angolan Dwarf Galago, can be difficult.
Which reasons tend to make discovering new species difficult?
Select the column that provides a correct response for each reason.

Does this reason tend to make discovering new species

A B C D
difficult?

the species often live in remote areas no yes no yes

the species is commonly hunted for food no no yes yes

there are many other species that look very similar yes yes no no

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 9
 FROTH FLOTATION
Froth flotation is a separation technique. It is used to separate particles of similar size that are difficult to
separate in other ways. Froth flotation generally follows the steps shown in the diagram.

1 3
4

The froth flotation process

Step Process
1 A mixture of particles is placed in a tank of water.
2 Air is bubbled into the tank.
Only particles that repel water float up with the bubbles. They are trapped
3
in a ‘froth’ at the top of the tank. Other particles are left behind.
4 A machine scoops the froth off the top.
5 The bubbles burst, producing a liquid that drains away.
6 The particles are collected for use.

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 10
13 Wastes collected from the environment often contain glass, plastic and rubber.
The table below shows some information about these waste materials.

glass plastic rubber

Example drink bottles drinking straws tyres
Buoyancy sinks in water sinks in water floats on water
Water repellence not water-repellent water-repellent water-repellent

If this mixture was put through a froth flotation process, what would be the outcome?
A The glass and plastic would be separated from the rubber.
B The glass and rubber would be separated from the plastic.
C The plastic and rubber would be separated from the glass.
D No separation would happen.

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 11
 HYPERLOOP TRAINS
‘Hyperloops’ are the general name for a new design of maglev trains.
Hyperloop trains run inside a tube from which much of the air has been removed (in a partial vacuum),
rather than in the open air.
Maglev trains are trains that ‘float’ on opposing pairs of magnets, rather than rolling on sets of wheels.
This means that the train and carriages do not touch a track.

tube partial vacuum

magnets

A hyperloop train

14 Less force is needed to move a train forward inside a partial vacuum tube than in the open air.
Why is less force needed?
A The partial vacuum creates low pressure in front of the train, which sucks it forward.
B Air resistance is much lower in the partial vacuum than in the open air.
C Magnets are stronger inside a partial vacuum than in the open air.
D The train weighs less inside the partial vacuum tube.

15 The hyperloop design is an example of a relationship between science and technology.

What is the best description of this relationship?
A Applying existing scientific knowledge to develop a new technology.
B Discovering new scientific knowledge to develop a new technology.
C Developing a new technology to discover new scientific knowledge.
D Reviewing existing scientific knowledge in response to a new technology.

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 12
16 Hyperloops trains need to be able to stop at stations to let passengers on and off.
When a hyperloop train is slowing to stop at a station, what must be true?
Select the column that provides a correct response for each statement.

As the train is slowing to stop at a station, is this true? A B C D

The amount of force acting backwards is larger than the amount

no yes yes no
of force acting forwards.
The amount of force acting downwards is larger than the
yes yes no no
amount of force acting upwards.

There are no forces acting on the train in any direction. no yes no yes

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 13
 SNOW PACK
‘Snow pack’ is the term used to describe the snow (and ice) that builds up on mountains during the
winter. Water falling as snow remains on mountains until the weather warms, which is when the snow
melts and flows into rivers.
Worldwide, about 1.5 billion people rely on snow pack to provide fresh water in drier months.

small areas of snow pack

valley area that receives

water from the snow pack
as it melts

A snow pack in the European Alps

17 Humans often change parts of the water cycle.

Which of these changes to the water cycle is most like a snow pack?
A generating hydro-electricity
B purifying salt water for drinking
C building artificial dams and reservoirs
D irrigating farmland

18 Global temperatures are increasing.

Why might increasing temperatures result in more total precipitation (combined rainfall and
snowfall) in some areas?
A Because global sea levels will rise with higher global temperatures.
B Because higher temperatures may increase evaporation from the oceans.
C Because higher temperatures will cause precipitation to decrease in other areas.
D Because higher temperatures will prevent water from freezing on high mountains.

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 14
 PLANET HUNTER
After nine years, NASA has shut down the Kepler space telescope because it has finally run out of fuel.
The telescope was used to identify planets orbiting distant stars.
If planets move between the Earth and a distant star and block the starlight, the telescope can detect the
decrease in the amount of light reaching Earth.

planet
Star's brightness

star

Time

The Kepler space telescope can detect planets blocking a star's light

19 The movement of a distant planet between its star and Earth is most like which event?
A full moon
B solar eclipse
C lunar eclipse
D comet nearing the Sun

20 Astronomers observed that the decrease in starlight caused by a newly discovered planet occurs
at regular intervals.
This interval of time is a measure of
A the new planet’s year.
B the new planet’s day.
C the Earth’s year.
D the Earth’s day.

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 15
 TASMANIA AND THE GRAND CANYON
Geologists have discovered what they believe is a link between Tasmania (in Australia) and the Grand
Canyon (in south-west USA). Today, these places are over 13,000 km apart. Both areas contain layers
of metamorphic rocks and sedimentary rocks. The geologists suspect these areas were located close
together in the past.

Layers of rock visible

in the Grand Canyon

21 What is a metamorphic rock?

A A rock that has changed due to large amounts of heat and pressure acting on the rock
over long periods of time.
B A rock that has formed due to the compression of mud and sand over long periods of time.
C A rock that is formed from the cooling of liquid rock below the Earth’s surface.
D A rock that is formed from the cooling of liquid rock at the Earth’s surface.

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 16
22 Which pieces of information would provide evidence of the link between the rocks in Tasmania
and the Grand Canyon?
Select the column that provides a correct response for each piece of information.

Does this information provide evidence of the connection

A B C D
between the rocks in Tasmania and the Grand Canyon?

erosion has occurred in both places no yes no yes

the order and size of the rock layers in both places is the same no yes yes yes

the chemical makeup of rock layers is the same yes no yes yes

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 17
 TINY BUBBLES
Scientists have been able to make gas bubbles that sit just under the surface of a solid. The bubbles
look like soap bubbles on the surface of water, but they are much smaller – each bubble is about 1
micrometre across (there are 1000 micrometres in 1 millimetre).
Inside each gas bubble, the pressure has been increased to be up to 2000 times greater than the pressure
of the atmosphere. The gas bubbles are formed when the solid material is heated. The solid material
undergoes a chemical change, and gases are formed.

Bubble of gas trapped

just under the surface

Solid material

A tiny gas bubble under the surface of a solid

23 What is the best description of the gas particles when compared to the particles in the solid?
A The gas particles are hotter.
B The gas particles are further apart.
C The gas particles are moving slower.
D The gas and solid particles are made of the same substance.

24 Compared to the particles of the same gas in the atmosphere, what is the best description of the
gas particles in the bubble?
A The gas particles are larger.
B The gas particles are smaller.
C The gas particles are moving faster.
D The gas particles are closer together.

25 The scientists determined the pressure inside the bubbles by measuring forces using a tiny probe.
How have scientists determined the pressure inside the bubble?
A By measuring the force needed to push the bubble along the surface using the probe.
B By measuring the forces on the probe as it approaches the bubble.
C By measuring the forces on the probe when they pushed it against the outside of
the bubble.
D By using the probe to measure the size of the bubble, in micrometres.

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 18
 EXPLOSIVE DISCOVERIES
New types of explosives are always being developed. Compared to older explosives, it is harder to
explode newer explosives. Newer explosives also tend to be more powerful.
Explosives are usually solid materials. When they explode, they change into other substances, which
are gases.
A ‘fireball’ produced by an explosive is a ball of these hot gases. It is this quickly expanding ball of hot
gases that causes damage.

26 What best explains why an explosion is classified as a chemical change?

A because heat is released
B because gases are formed
C because new substances are formed
D because the shape of the explosive is changed

27 A new explosive compound has the formula C6H4N6O8. Based on this formula, what substances
could be formed when it explodes?
Select the column that provides a correct response for each substance.

Could this be a substance formed from the explosion

A B C D
of C6H4N6O8?

CO2 (carbon dioxide) yes yes no yes

N2 (nitrogen) yes no yes yes

SO2 (sulfur dioxide) no yes yes yes

H2O (water) yes yes yes no

28 Why would newer explosives generally be considered safer than older explosives?
Select the column that provides a correct response for each reason.

Is this a reason why newer explosives are considered to

A B C D
be safer?
Less explosive is needed to produce an explosion of the
yes no yes no
same size.

They are less likely to explode before it is intended. no no no yes

They are less likely to cause explosive damage. no yes yes no

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 19
SACK OF CELLS
In Type I diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that
make insulin.
A recently developed treatment for Type I diabetes is being tested. Insulin-producing cells are
taken from a healthy person and placed in a special bag. The bag is then placed just under the
skin of a diabetic. Blood can flow through the bag and carry insulin from the cells to the body.
However, the bag prevents the cells from moving into the body.
It is important that patients who have received the bag of cells take a medicine to reduce the
activity of their immune system.

A bag of insulin producing cells and blood vessels

29 What are the benefits of using this method to treat Type I diabetes?
Select the column that provides a correct response for each option.

Is this a benefit of using this method? A B C D

more insulin will be produced by the pancreas no no yes yes

nutrients are able to reach the cells no yes no yes

the bag can be placed under the skin at many locations yes yes no no

the bag can be easily removed if necessary yes yes no no

30 Which of the following statements about the behaviour of human cells is true?
A All cells within an organ have the same function.
B No cells are able to move within the body to other locations.
C All human cells look the same and only differ in their function.
D Different types of cells perform different functions within the body.

2020 Big Science Competition Year 8 Paper © Australian Science Innovations ABN 81731558309 20
 Big Science Competition Year 8 2020 Answers

Question Descriptor Answer

1 Describes how a mechanism generates electricity A

2 Identifies the effect of limiting power production A

3 Identifies the system to which an organ belongs C

4 Identifies reasons why the immune system can react to transplanted

organs B

5 Identifies the function of a structure in an artificial organ B

6 Identifies a form of energy a mechanism captures D

7 Identifies features which improve energy efficiency D

8 Identifies the effect of planetary bodies on one another C

9 Evaluates reasons why objects can be difficult to detect in space A

10 Identifies an animal's features from its classification C

11 Identifies food eaten by certain types of animals D

12 Evaluates reasons why discovering new species can be difficult B

13 Identifies the role of different parts of a separation technique C

14 Identifies the effect of air on an object's movement B

15 Describes the relationship between science and technology A

16 Describes the forces acting on an object C

17 Identifies the action of parts of the water cycle C

18 Evaluates the connection between temperatures and rainfall B

19 Evaluates phenomena for their similarities B

20 Identifies intervals of time based on movement of planetary bodies. A

21 Describes a rock type A

22 Evaluates if information supports a hypothesis C

23 Compares particles in a gas and solid B

24 Compares particles of a hot and cool gas D

25 Evaluates an novel technique for measuring temperatures C

26 Analyses reasons which identify a type of reaction C

27 Evaluates possible products of a chemical reaction A

28 Compares reasons a chemical is preferred for an application D

29 Evaluates benefits of a medical intervention B

30 Evaluates statements about human cells D