Science Trivia

Earth Science

100

This geologic formation may be found overhead if you are in a cave

A: Stalactite

B: Stalagmite

C: Mightymite

D: Termite

A: stalactites. 

The ones growing downward are stalactites, the ones growing upward are stalagmites. Stalactites are formed by the deposition of calcium carbonate and other minerals, which is precipitated from mineralized water solutions.

200

This type of water weighs the most. 

A: seawater 

B: distilled water 

C: tap water 

D: none - they all have the same weight.

A: sea water. 

It is loaded with mineral salts and weighs about a pound and a half more per cubic foot than fresh water at the same temperature.

300

This is the hardest naturally occurring substance.

A: emerald 

B: tourmaline 

C: diamond 

D: corrundum

C: Diamond. 

Diamond is also one of the most valuable natural substances. Diamonds are crystals formed almost entirely of carbon. Because of its hardness, the diamond is the most enduring of all gemstones. They are among the most costly jewels in the world, partly because they are rare, Only four important diamond fields have been found - in Africa, South America, India, and the Soviet Union.

400

The largest hailstone recorded was closest to this object in diameter.

A: basketball 

B: softball

C: tennis ball 

D: golf ball

A: basketball. 

The largest hailstone ever recorded was 45cm in diameter - bigger than a basketball.

500

What percent of the Earth is covered with water?

70%

Astronomy

100

What are the only two planets in our solar system without moons?

Mercury and Venus

As far as we know, Saturn has the most moons. Saturn has at least 25 satellites that measure at least 6 miles (10 kilometers) in diameter, and several smaller satellites. The largest of Saturn's satellites, Titan, has a diameter of about 3,200 miles (5,150 kilometers) -- larger than the planets Mercury and Pluto.

200

This year boasted the first woman in space.

A: 1963, 

B: 1968, 

C: 1973, 

D: 1983

A. 1963. 

The first woman in space was Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova in Vostok 6 (U.S.S.R.).

300

The three main parts of a comet are the nucleus, the tail, and the _____. 

A: Zenith, 

B: Umbra, 

C: Radiant, 

D: Coma

D: Coma

400

It is the term for the condition when three celestial bodies are arranged in a straight line.

A: Occultation, 

B: Parallax, 

C: Syzygy, 

D: Triple Transit

C: Syzygy

500

The planets make up this percentage of the mass in our solar system.

A: 0.0135 %, 

B: 0.135 %, 

C: 1.35 %, 

D: 13.5 %

B: 0.135 % of the mass in our solar system. The Sun dominates, accounting for 99.86 % of the entire solar system's mass.

Biology

100

The most common element in the human body.
A: Carbon

B: Hydrogen

C: Oxygen

D: Calcium

C: Oxygen!

It makes up almost 63% of the average human. Following, are major elements and the percentages of the human body that they represent: Oxygen- 62.81% Carbon- 19.37% Hydrogen- 9.31% Nitrogen- 5.14% Sulfur- 0.64% Phosphorus- 0.63% Other- 2.10%

200

Which living animal has the heaviest brain?

A. Bush Elephant

B. Rhinoceros

C. Whale

D. Human

C. Whale

They have the heaviest brain of any living animal. The average Sperm Whale's brain weighs more than 20 pounds (9 kilograms) which is about 4 times heavier than the average human brain.

300

Which has the longest recorded life span

A: Termite

B: Chimpanzee

C: Indian Elephant

D: Freshwater Oyster

Freshwater Oyster (80 years.) The longest recorded life span for a termite is 50 years; for a chimapanzee, 50 years; and for an Indian elephant, 70 years.

400

This was the first genetically engineered organism. 

A: Corn, 

B: Tobacco, 

C: Sheep, 

D: Rat

B. tobacco plant. In 1983, a tobacco plant, designed to be resistant to certain herbicides, was grown in Wisconsin.

500

This animal has the highest blood pressure. 

A: Giraffe, 

B: Blue Whale, 

C: Elephant, 

D: Flea

A: Giraffe. Because of its extremely long neck, the giraffe must rely on its oversized heart (two feet long and twenty-five pounds!) to pump blood all the way to its head.

Chemistry and Physics

100

This type of matter has a definite volume, but no definite shape. 

A: Solids

B: Liquids

C: Gases

D: Plasma

B: Liquids

Liquids have a definite volume but no definite shape. Because the intermolecular forces are weak in a liquid, it is able to change its shape to conform to its container.

200

This English chemist and physicist discovered hydrogen. 

A: Sir William Crookes, 

B: Henry Cavendish, 

C: Dorothy Hodgkin, 

D: Bernard Shaw

B: Henry Cavendish. This English chemist and physicist not only discovered hydrogen, but also determined the mass of the Earth.

300

Matter that does not enter chemical reactions is described as this. 

A: Inhibited, 

B: Inert, 

C: Grounded, 

D: Radioactive

B: Inert. Inert matter does not enter chemical reactions.

400

 These substances control the rates of chemical reactions. 

A: Reactants, 

B: Catalysts, 

C: Isotopes, 

D: Cathodes

B: Catalysts. Catalysts are substances that control the rates of chemical reactions.

500

Name Newton's Laws of Motion. HINT: There are three of them. 

1. A body remains at rest, or in motion at a constant speed in a straight line, unless acted upon by a force.
2. When a body is acted upon by a force, the time rate of change of its momentum equals the force.
3. If two bodies exert forces on each other, these forces have the same magnitude but opposite directions

Psychology

100

The word 'psychology' comes from the words 'psyche' and 'logos'. 

'Psyche' means 'soul' or 'life'. 

What does 'logos' mean?

The 'study of' 

Thus, psychology is the study of life!

200

What test is this?

Inkblot Test (Rorschach Test)

300

What percentage of the time does the average person's mind wander?

30%

400

What is considered the opposite of an optimist?

A: Pessimist

B: Lateralist

C: Realist

D: Cynic

A: Pessimist

500

Who is known as the 'Father of Psychology'?

A: William James

B: Ivan Pavlov

C: Sigmund Freud

D: Albert Bandura

C. Freud