100 Science Trivia Questions and Answers
Physics, chemistry, biology and the discoveries that changed what we knew.
Every question below is shown with its answer, so you can scan the whole set, pick the ones you want, and run a round without clicking through. They are free to use for quiz nights, classrooms and pub quizzes. Where a question has extra background, it links to the full explanation.
1.What famous catalog of deep-sky objects, compiled by a French astronomer in the 1700s, contains 110 entries?
Answer: Messier catalog
Read the full explanation2.What type of coral does not rely on photosynthetic algae and must be fed directly?
Answer: Non-photosynthetic coral
Read the full explanation3.What is the approximate diameter of the largest known star, UY Scuti, compared to our Sun?
Answer: 1,700 times larger
Read the full explanation4.What phenomenon causes stars to appear to twinkle when viewed from Earth's surface?
Answer: Atmospheric scintillation
Read the full explanation5.What type of filtration uses live rock and sand beds to naturally process waste in a marine aquarium?
Answer: Biological filtration
Read the full explanation6.What is the nitrogen cycle process called that must occur before adding fish to a new saltwater tank?
Answer: Cycling
Read the full explanation7.What is the common name for the protein-removing device that creates foam to extract organic waste from saltwater tanks?
Answer: Protein skimmer
Read the full explanation8.What celestial event occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun?
Answer: Solar eclipse
Read the full explanation9.What type of galaxy is the Milky Way classified as?
Answer: Barred spiral galaxy
Read the full explanation10.What is the ideal specific gravity range for a saltwater reef aquarium?
Answer: 1.023-1.025
Read the full explanation11.What unit of distance, equal to about 3.26 light-years, is commonly used by professional astronomers?
Answer: Parsec
Read the full explanation12.What is the name of the symbiotic algae that live inside coral tissue and provide them with nutrients?
Answer: Zooxanthellae
Read the full explanation13.What is the closest star system to our Sun?
Answer: Alpha Centauri
Read the full explanation14.What element does the symbol Fe represent?
Answer: Iron
Read the full explanation15.What measurement in a reef tank indicates carbonate hardness and the water's ability to resist pH changes?
Answer: Alkalinity (dKH)
Read the full explanation16.What is the common name for Amphiprion ocellaris, one of the most popular marine aquarium fish?
Answer: Clownfish
Read the full explanation17.What chemical element, toxic to invertebrates even in trace amounts, must be carefully monitored in reef tanks?
Answer: Copper
Read the full explanation18.In its basic form, this substance is a kind of soap, but when mixed with gasoline, it forms a deadly material used in flame throwers and incendiary bombs. What is it?
Answer: NAPALM
Read the full explanation19.What are the dark, flat areas on the Moon's surface called, formed by ancient volcanic eruptions?
Answer: Maria (lunar seas)
Read the full explanation20.The first microwave ovens were created in which decade: 1970's, 1960's, 1950's, or 1940's?
Answer: 1940's
Read the full explanation21.Is a light-year a measure of speed, time, or distance?
Answer: DISTANCE that light will travel in a year
Read the full explanation22.Which mosquitoes sting people: males only, females only, or both?
Answer: FEMALES ONLY
Read the full explanation23.In April and May, 1961, the first two astronauts were launched into space; one Russian and one American. Can you name them?
Answer: YURI GAGARIN / ALAN SHEPARD, JR.
Read the full explanation24.The color chartreuse is basically a combination of which two colors?
Answer: GREEN & YELLOW
Read the full explanation25.Which disease was appropriately named after the dark splotches it formed on its victims' bodies in the 14th century?
Answer: BLACK DEATH / bubonic plague
Read the full explanation26.How many square millimeters are there in a square hectometer?
Answer: 10,000,000,000 (10 billion) — but the calculation is correct. The answer is factually correct.
Read the full explanation27.If someone suffers from the medical condition called scoliosis, what does that mean in simple terms?
Answer: ABNORMAL CURVATURE OF THE SPINE
Read the full explanation28.Which small, prehistoric flying animal got its name from the Greek words meaning flying finger wing?
Answer: The name 'pterodactyl' comes from Greek pteron (wing) and dactylos (finger), meaning 'wing finger', not 'flying finger wing'.
Read the full explanation29.It was the fastest growing household product of the 1980's. In 1980, only 14% of US homes had one of these, but by 1990, over 80% of homes had one. What is it?
Answer: MICROWAVE OVEN
Read the full explanation30.a. How many bones in the human body? b. Of these 206 bones, about 1/4 of them are located in which part of the human body?
Answer: a. 206 b. FEET
Read the full explanation31.What is measured by the Richter scale?
Answer: Magnitude of earthquakes
Read the full explanation32.What is the name of the metallic alloy composed of copper and zinc?
Answer: BRASS - bronze is an alloy of copper and tin.
Read the full explanation33.How many planets in our solar system have no moon?
Answer: 2 - MERCURY / VENUS
Read the full explanation34.There is one bone in the human body which does not connect to any other bone in the body. Where in the body is this hyoid bone located?
Answer: IN THE THROAT - SUPPORTS TONGUE AND ITS MUSCLES
Read the full explanation35.Each year an award is given for exceptional and outstanding achievement in the field of atomic energy. This award is named after the person who produced the first controlled nuclear chain reaction, in 1942. After whom is this award named?
Answer: ENRICO FERMI
Read the full explanation36.In the Atlantic or East Pacific Oceans they are called hurricanes. What are they called in a. The western Pacific Ocean? b. The Indian Ocean?
Answer: a. TYPHOONS b.CYCLONE
Read the full explanation37.Can you name a part of the male anatomy (not female) named after a character from the Bible?
Answer: ADAM'S APPLE
Read the full explanation38.BONUS: One of the craziest inventions of all time was patented in 1903. To protect the eyes of a certain animal from being damaged during feeding, eyeglasses were created for what animals?
Answer: CHICKENS - reason: NOT BRIGHT. AT FEEDING TIME WILL PLUCK OUT THE EYES OF OTHER CHICKENS
Read the full explanation39.The first Nobel Prize for physics was awarded in 1901 to the German physicist who discovered a short-wave ray called the x-ray. People in many parts of the world refer to x-rays by his name. Who was he?
Answer: WILHELM ROENTGEN
Read the full explanation40.Commonly called the tailbone, what is the biological name for the small triangular bone at the base of the spinal column?
Answer: COCCYX
Read the full explanation41.If the astronauts took with them the moon a grandfather clock, for what scientific reason would it not keep proper earth time?
Answer: IT REQUIRES E H'S GRAVITY FOR PENDULUM TO KEEP PROPER E H TIME
Read the full explanation42.Which two chemical elements are most commonly used as disinfectant or antiseptic?
Answer: IODINE / CHLORINE
Read the full explanation43.A deficiency of Vitamin C can cause a disorder characterized by bleeding gums and extreme weakness, called what?
Answer: SCURVY
Read the full explanation44.What is the maximum jail time an offender can get for a misdemeanor, if any?
Answer: ONE YEAR
Read the full explanation45.What does a paleontologist study?
Answer: FORMS OF LIFE IN PREHISTORIC TIMES / FOSSILS
Read the full explanation46.Probably in every room of your home you have examples of what significant invention dating from about 1500 B.C.?
Answer: GLASS
Read the full explanation47.This organ in the human body, about the size of your fist, is located behind the stomach. Its most important function is filtering foreign substances from the blood, as well as helping the body fight infections. What is the name of this organ?
Answer: SPLEEN
Read the full explanation48.What is the name for the transparent outer covering of the front of the eye?
Answer: CORNEA
Read the full explanation49.What contracting membrane regulates the amount of light entering the eye? Is it the retina, iris, or pupil?
Answer: IRIS
Read the full explanation50.What is the name of the figure formed by the seven brightest stars in the constellation Ursa Minor, one of which is Polaris, the North Star?
Answer: LITTLE DIPPER
Read the full explanation51.What actually happens when "mitosis" takes place?
Answer: THE NUCLEUS of each cell DIVIDES in two new nuclei each of which contains a complete copy of the parental chromosomes / typically consisting of four stages, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase
Read the full explanation52.Dynamic systems are those whose conditions change according to ... what?
Answer: TIME
Read the full explanation53.The first Nobel Prize for physics was awarded in 1901 to the German physicist who discovered a short-wave ray called the x-ray. In Europe, they refer to x-rays by his name. Who was he?
Answer: WILHELM ROENTGEN
Read the full explanation54.Planets: a. Which planet in our solar system has the shortest day - making one rotation about its axis every 10 hours or so? Is it Mercury, Jupiter, or Pluto? b. How many planets have no moons? c. Which planet has the tallest mountain - Earth, Mars, or U
Answer: a. JUPITER b. 2 - Mercury and Venus c. MARS
Read the full explanation55.In a dubious achievement in science, 1995 a Swiss biotech lab grafted what on the back of a mouse?
Answer: HUMAN EAR
Read the full explanation56.Which human organ secretes bile, forms blood proteins, and stores vitamins for later release into the bloodstream?
Answer: LIVER
Read the full explanation57.Which gaseous chemical element glows reddish orange when an electric charge passes through it?
Answer: NEON
Read the full explanation58.Which Ohio-born inventor held over 1,000 patents, including one for the invention of the motion-picture projector?
Answer: Thomas Alva Edison (note: Edison held 1,093 patents; the motion-picture projector was invented by multiple people, but Edison held key patents; also Edison was born in Ohio)
Read the full explanation59.By what three-word phrase do we name the index used to measure the quantity of harmful particles and chemicals in the air?
Answer: AIR QUALITY INDEX
Read the full explanation60.Name all the planets in our solar system without a moon.
Answer: MERCURY / VENUS
Read the full explanation61.Give the proper names for the two major branches of biology; one deals with plants, the other animals.
Answer: BOTANY / ZOOLOGY
Read the full explanation62.What product used by hikers, campers, military personnel, and astronauts, has been produced since 1891 by the Victorinox company?
Answer: SWISS ARMY KNIFE
Read the full explanation63.This substance with chemical formula C1O H14 N2, is considered a poisonous alkaloid, and is used as an insecticide. Millions of humans worldwide consume it daily, voluntarily. What is it called?
Answer: NICOTINE
Read the full explanation64.What does an ornithologist study?
Answer: BIRDS
Read the full explanation65.What do you call curved lines on a weather map connecting regions of equal atmospheric pressure?
Answer: ISOBARS
Read the full explanation66.The thickest part of the human skin is located in which general areas
Answer: PALMS OR SOLES
Read the full explanation67.What is the name of Jupiter's Great Red Spot?
Answer: A massive storm
Read the full explanation68.The Adam's Apple (more prominent in males) is formed by a slightly triangular-shaped protuberance located in what part of the body?
Answer: LARYNX
Read the full explanation69.If the temperature centigrade increases by 10 degrees, by how much does the temperature Fahrenheit increase?
Answer: 18
Read the full explanation70.Which two bones in the human body extend from the elbow to the wrist?
Answer: RADIUS / ULNA
Read the full explanation71.All rocks can be separated into three families. What are they?
Answer: IGNEOUS, SEDIMENTARY, AND METAMORPHIC
Read the full explanation72.The hallucenogenic drug, LSD, was invented by a pharmaceutical company in which European country?
Answer: SWITZERLAND
Read the full explanation73.Radio can be broadcast on the AM or FM bands. What do AM and FM stand for?
Answer: AMPLITUDE MODULATION / FREQUENCY MODULATION
Read the full explanation74.What are the names of the two bones which extend from the elbow to the wrist?
Answer: RADIUS / ULNA
Read the full explanation75.What are two common references to students named after parts of our head:
Answer: "BRAIN" / PUPIL
Read the full explanation76.What is the name of the complex molecule that carries oxygen in the blood and gives blood its characteristic red color?
Answer: HEMOGLOBIN
Read the full explanation77.About 120 drops of water will fill a what? Teaspoon, tablespoon, or one-ounce shot glass?
Answer: TEASPOON
Read the full explanation78.Which organ in the human body is the most commonly transplanted from one human to another?
Answer: KIDNEY
Read the full explanation79.What is the name of the effect, named after a 19th Century Austrian physicist, which causes the sound of a moving object to change its pitch as it approaches and then passes you?
Answer: DOPPLER EFFECT - also related to the change of light
Read the full explanation80.What former politician and presidential candidate might have had a personalized license plate which reads: AU-H20?
Answer: BARRY GOLDWATER
Read the full explanation81.The study of handwriting as a means of analyzing character is called what?
Answer: GRAPHOLOGY
Read the full explanation82.What's the biological name for the part of the body that contains the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, and pancreas?
Answer: ABDOMEN Also called belly
Read the full explanation83.Until the 18th century, this plant was grown for its beauty, but not eaten, since it was believed to be poisonous. Today it can be found in tossed salads. Which plant is this?
Answer: TOMATO
Read the full explanation84.Generally speaking, where would you find the Van Allen belts? In a hockey game, in an automobile, near the north pole, or in space?
Answer: IN SPACE - PROTECT THE E H FROM SOLAR RADIATION
Read the full explanation85.What is the name of the process by which green plants convert the energy of sunlight into chemical energy?
Answer: PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Read the full explanation86.On January 24, 1996, the Food and Drug Administration approved human consumption of a synthetic, calorie free fat substitute called what?
Answer: OLESTRA
Read the full explanation87.Which British bacteriologist discovered penicillin in 1928 and won the 1945 Nobel Prize for his achievement?
Answer: ALEXANDER FLEMING
Read the full explanation88.This vitamin helps maintain the skin, eyes, and healthy bones and teeth. It is found in milk, liver, eggs, butter, and vegetables. Which vitamin is it?
Answer: A also called retinol
Read the full explanation89.America's first nickel, or five cent piece, was first produced in 1866. It consisted of 25% nickel, and 75% what metal?
Answer: COPPER
Read the full explanation90.In 1962, European countries joined forces to establish an international astronomical project. They set up a space observatory, with some of the most powerful telescopes in the world, at La Silla, in which southern country?
Answer: CHILE
Read the full explanation91.The #1 cause of choking deaths in children (excluding food related) is caused by the swallowing of what object?
Answer: BALLOONS
Read the full explanation92.What word can refer to a soft, creamy European cheese, or to the fundamental units of matter, smaller than an electrons (as surmised by scientists).
Answer: QUARK
Read the full explanation93.What do we call those cells in the retina that respond to low levels of light and allow seeing in the dark?
Answer: RODS
Read the full explanation94.What disease, caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, is characterized by bleeding gums and extreme weakness?
Answer: SCURVY
Read the full explanation95.What do we call an organism that lives on a host which it usually injures?
Answer: PARASITE
Read the full explanation96.What is the name of the hereditary blood disease that occurs chiefly among black people?
Answer: SICKLE CELL ANEMIA
Read the full explanation97.Why do children in southern Marin County have fewer cavities than children in northern Marin County?
Answer: FLOURIDE IN THE WATER IN SOUTHERN MARIN / VOTED DOWN BY INHABITANTS IN NORTHERN MARIN
Read the full explanation98.What kind of thin, wispy, feathery looking clouds, located four to twelve miles up, are usually the first sign that a weather front is approaching?
Answer: CIRRUS
Read the full explanation99.The technological device that produce images on television screens is called a CRT, which stands for what?
Answer: CATHODE RAY TUBE
Read the full explanation100.This chemical element is an alkali metal, one of the lightest metals known. It is used in nuclear reactions, in batteries, in the glass industry, and as a medicine for the treatment of manic-depressive psychosis. What element is it?
Answer: LITHIUM
Read the full explanation