Session 268

Today, we review Blueprint’s MCAT Diagnostic, C/P Discrete Part 2. Tune in to discover why you got it right… or wrong. We’re joined by Nicole from Blueprint MCAT. If you would like to follow along on YouTube, go to premed.tv.

Get a free Blueprint MCAT account and have access to a half-length diagnostic that we’re breaking down here on the podcast. You will also get the first Blueprint MCAT full-length, which we’ve covered here on the podcast as well. Then get access to their brand new spaced repetition flashcard platform with over 1,600 expertly crafted flashcards as well as their amazing study planner tool.

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[03:36] Question 28

Which of the following properties explains why sound wave velocity increases as it travels from air to a liquid medium at the same temperature?

A.Kinetic energy of the medium

B.Volume of the medium

C.Density of the medium

D.Bulk modulus of the medium

Thought Process:

A lot of students actually fall for answer choice C here. The density of a medium does affect the speed of propagation, however, there is an answer choice here that actually affects that speed even more, and it’s actually the bulk modulus of the medium.

Bulk modulus refers to the stiffness of a medium. So if you’re an equation person you’d like to see the math behind it. The actual equation for sound velocity is:

Your speed of sound is going to increase with your stiffness. Solids are stiffer than liquids, and liquids are more solid than gas. And so, when we’re comparing the solids and the gas, the density in that equation is going to have a smaller effect than stiffness.

There’s a larger difference in the stiffness than there is in the density. So this is definitely a tricky question that relies on not only just being able to plug and chug in that equation but having some of the conceptual understanding behind it.

Correct Answer: D

[06:19] Question 29

Modern MRI machines use electricity to generate their magnetic fields inside a circular chamber instead of using permanent magnets. Which of the following would NOT increase the strength of the MRI field?

A.Increased radius of the MRI chamber

B.Increased power supplied to the MRI machine

C.Decreased resistance of the MRI machine

D.Increased current through the MRI machine

Thought Process:

The equation for the magnetic field generated at the center of a loop circuit is:

B=μ0I2R(at center of loop)

If you went through the rest of these answer choices, specifically increased power (answer choice B), decreased resistance (answer choice C), or increased current (answer choice D), those are all either directly saying increased current, essentially, when you look at B= IR.

Correct Answer: A

[09:34] Question 30

The two steps of the Vitamin D synthesis are summarized below.

Step 1: 7-dehydrocholesterol + UV light ⇒ previtamin D3

ΔG = -134 kJ/mol

Step 2: previtamin D3 ⇒ cholecalciferol (Vitamin D)

ΔG = +58 kJ/mol

What is the ΔG for Vitamin D synthesis?

A.-192 kJ/mol

B.-76 kJ/mol

C.+76 kJ/mol

D.+192 kJ/mol

Thought Process:

We’re given two reactions here which are step one and step two of a larger overall reaction. We’re given the ΔG and since we’re asked about the overall ΔG, you just add them all together.

Correct Answer: B

[13:09] What to Do at the End of This Section

Nicole recommends that students sit back, take five seconds, and take two deep breaths. You just got through a whole section, it was probably a little tiring and a little difficult.

On your Navigation page, there’s a function to only review your flagged questions.  And so, it will directly take you through your flagged questions.

Links:

Meded Media

Blueprint MCAT