Science Trivia Questions — page 101

What is radiation measured in?

• AKelvin
• BDecibel
• CGray
• DWatt

While conducting an experiment, a student collects several different water temperatures, two mass measurements, and three volume measurements. Which of these would be the best way to organize the data?

• Ain a written narrative
• Billustrated with pictures
• Cin a table
• Din a graph

Marta and Roger are comparing how long it takes two different types of seeds to sprout. They plant both types of seeds in similar pots, place them in a sunny window, and water them daily. If they want to conduct their investigation correctly, which information is most important to record?

• Athe depth of the soil
• Bthe size of pot used for growing the seeds
• Cthe temperature of the water
• Dthe number of days until the seeds sprout

Niacin is the name of this B vitamin.

• AVitamin B9
• BVitamin B12
• CVitamin B3
• DVitamin B5

It is hypothesized that in the next 200 years, the lowest land areas on Earth could be submerged beneath rising oceans. Which climate change would most likely cause this to occur?

• Aglobal warming
• Bincreased desertification
• Cthe start of an ice age
• Ddecreased winds

Joann is testing soils to see which kind is best for growing marigolds. Which of the following should she do?

• APlant the marigolds three kinds of soil, and give them different amounts of sun.
• BPlant the marigolds in the same soil, but water some plants more than others.
• CPlant the marigolds in three kinds of soil, and give them the same amounts of water and sun.
• DPlant the marigolds in one kind of soil, radishes in another, and daisies in a third kind.

Using the apothecary system, how many grains are in 4 drams?

• A220
• B200
• C240
• D180

Nevada's annual precipitation averages between 21 and 24 cm. In comparison, Washington state averages between 96 and 97 cm of precipitation per year. Which of these factors has the greatest impact on the difference in precipitation between these two states?

• Athe types of industry found in each state
• Bthe location of each state on the continent
• Cthe relative sizes of each state
• Dthe relative frequency of volcanic activity in each state

Atoms of the same element can have different atomic masses because they can have different numbers of

• Aneutrinos.
• Bneutrons.
• Cprotons.
• Delectrons.

Which of the following is a cause of the ocean levels periodically rising and then falling?

• Athe force of gravity from the Moon
• Bthe revolution of Earth around the Sun
• Cthe convection within Earth's mantle
• Dthe slight tilt of the Moon

Some microorganisms cause human disease. Other microorganisms are used in making cheese, yogurt, and bread. Based on this information, the relationship between humans and microorganisms can be

• Abeneficial, only
• Bbeneficial or harmful
• Charmful, only

A hot pack is a product that releases heat when chemicals inside of it interact. What is taking place inside an active hot pack?

• Aa net loss of mass
• Bthermal insulation
• Can exothermic reaction
• Delectric current

The taste called umami, which is considered by the Japanese and Chinese taste researchers for one of the basic tastes, is mainly associated with which of the following groups of substances?

• AFats
• BProteins
• CCarbohydrates
• DAldehydes

Which of the following describes diffraction?

• Athe bending of waves as they pass an edge or an opening
• Bthe bending of waves as they pass from one medium to another
• Cthe combining of two waves that meet at a point
• Dthe bouncing back of waves as they meet a surface

The average temperature of the surface of Earth has increased approximately 1°C in the past century. Which reason best explains this increase in temperature?

• Alower levels of ozone in the atmosphere
• Bhigher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
• Chigher levels of oxygen in the atmosphere
• Dlower levels of nitrogen in the atmosphere

Sodium, Na, is in the same group as

• AK.
• BCa.
• CMg.
• DNe.

Which of these organs has no known function in the human body?

• Auvula
• Bpineal gland
• Ctonsils
• Dappendix

While collecting wildflowers, a student begins to sneeze and has itchy, watery eyes. What bodily system causes this reaction?

• Amuscular
• Bimmune
• Ccirculatory
• Dnervous

Auroras occur where Earth's magnetosphere traps high-energy particles in which region of the atmosphere?

• Aexosphere
• Bstratosphere
• Ctroposphere
• Dthermosphere

Sam looks into a fish pond and points at a goldfish. Sam's grandfather looks where Sam is pointing and tells Sam that the fish is actually in a different location. Which property of light explains why Sam's grandfather is correct?

• Areflection
• Brefraction
• Cdiffraction
• Dabsorption

As some organisms die, their remains become buried by mud and are eventually compressed into a type of rock. Which of these is a rock type that forms from this process?

• Ametamorphic
• Bmagma
• Cigneous
• Dsedimentary

Which of the following is the best example of a wave?

• Aa string vibrating on a guitar
• Ba stone rolling downhill
• Ca vehicle traveling on a bumpy road
• Da grasshopper jumping up and down occasionally

Which of these would not cause a muscle cramp?

• Alow blood sugar
• Bbeing overweight
• Cdehydration
• Dextreme cold

A topographic map is primarily used to determine the

• Aelevation of an area.
• Brainfall of desert regions.
• Clocation of major cities in the country.
• Dnumber of continents in the world.

A scientist makes a discovery while performing an investigation, but fails to maintain clear records of the tests performed. In which way does a lack of record keeping affect a scientist's work?

• AIt prevents other scientists from validating the results.
• BIt prohibits other scientists from developing new hypotheses.
• CIt invalidates the procedures and conclusions.
• DIt makes the data obtained in the study incorrect.

The term albino comes from the Latin word albus. An albino person or animal is characterised by what?

• AExtremely dark pigmentation of the skin
• BRedness of the skin
• CA lack of pigmentation in the skin, eyes and hair
• DOily skin

Sulfur scrubbers are devices installed in coal-fired power plants. Sulfur scrubbers reduce the emission of sulfur dioxide. What environmental problem are sulfur scrubbers most likely trying to address?

• Aerosion
• Bnutrient runoff
• Cozone
• Dacid rain

The Earth's equator receives more direct sunlight than the regions to its north and south. This distribution of sunlight accounts directly for which phenomenon?

• AThe westward deflection of equatorial winds.
• BThe formation of calm "eyes" in the centers of cyclones.
• CThe rotation of storm systems.
• DThe movement of rising air currents away from the equator.

Which fact is a benefit of airplanes?

• AAirplanes can travel very quickly.
• BAirplanes cost a lot of money.
• CAirplanes take off from the airport.
• DAirplanes are hard to fly.

Which statement describes how muscles work to allow a person to extend an arm from a curled position by straightening the elbow?

• AThe triceps contract and the biceps relax.
• BThe biceps contract and the triceps relax.
• CBoth the biceps and the triceps relax.
• DBoth the biceps and triceps contract.

The best container for storing an unknown liquid is a

• Agreen plastic soda bottle.
• Bpaper orange juice container.
• Cclearly labeled glass jar.
• Dplastic yogurt container.

Natural processes cause rapid and slow changes to Earth's surface. Which event causes changes to Earth's surface most rapidly?

• Awater flowing in stream
• Bsediment washing into a bay
• Ca rainstorm weathering rock
• Dan earthquake shaking the ground

What energy transformation occurs when an electric lamp is turned on?

• Aheat energy to electrical and light energy
• Blight energy to electrical and mechanical energy
• Celectrical energy to mechanical and heat energy
• Delectrical energy to light and heat energy

Which of the following vitamins is known as Folic Acid?

• AVitamin B6
• BVitamin B2
• CVitamin B5
• DVitamin B9

Which Earth movement results in day and night?

• Arotation
• Brevolution
• Cerosion
• Ddeposition

Which of the following objects is probably the most flexible?

• Aa ceramic dish
• Ba wooden block
• Ca short steel rod
• Da new rubber hose

Technological advancements in the logging industry have had both negative and positive effects on forest ecosystems. The most likely negative effect of more efficient logging techniques is

• Aa decrease in the cost of wood and paper products.
• Ban increase in the time needed for transporting wood.
• Csafer work environments for loggers.
• Da change in the chemical and physical makeup of land and water.

Producers can use photosynthesis to capture energy for food webs in most ecosystems. In which ecosystem must producers capture energy from gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfide?

• Aoceanic trench
• Bcoral reef
• Cevergreen forest
• Dhigh desert

What does LASER stand for?

• ALife antimatter by standing entry of range
• BLight amplifier by standby energy of radio
• CLite analysing by stereo ecorazer
• DLight amplification by stimulated emission of radiation

A species of mouse spends the day sleeping in its burrow to avoid high daytime temperatures. It is processing what little water it needs from the seeds it collects. To which environment is this mouse best adapted?

• Arainforest
• Btundra
• Cdesert
• Dmarine

A chain is a unit of measure used primarily in profession?

• ALumberjacker
• BFence installer
• CA man in control of letting down the anchor on a ship
• DSurveyor

What animal cell helped prove that membrane proteins drift?

• ADog
• BMonkey
• CMouse
• DFish

Patrick broke his wrist skateboarding. The doctor told Patrick to eat foods rich in vitamin D while his wrist heals. Which type of food will help Patrick's wrist heal?

• Alean meats
• Bdairy products
• Cgreen vegetables
• Dwhole grains

More than 2000 years ago this famous philosopher and founder of medicine stated that The way to health is an aromatic bath and scented oils massage every day.

• AAnaximander
• BHippocrates
• CHomer
• DPythagoras

Scientists invented a liquid that removes grease and keeps the skin soft. How could this discovery most likely be used?

• Ato improve dish soap
• Bto cure a disease
• Cto make clothes
• Dto grow plants

Which of the following best explains why the pressure inside a high-flying airplane must be controlled?

• AAt high altitudes there is lower atmospheric pressure than on the surface of the Earth.
• BIf the cabin is not pressurized, ozone and other upper atmospheric gases will enter the airplane.
• CIf the cabin is not pressurized, carbon dioxide will escape from the airplane.
• DAt high altitudes there is greater atmospheric pressure than on the surface of the Earth.

Animals get energy from the food they eat. What is the original source of this energy?

• Athe soil
• Bthe Sun
• Cthe water cycle
• Dfertilizers

Organisms interact in the flow of energy in an ecosystem. Carnivores and omnivores are classified as consumers. Which two organisms are also classified as consumers?

• Abacteria and fungi
• Bdecomposers and herbivores
• Cparasites and herbivores
• Dfungi and scavengers

What is the term for the amount of heat per unit mass required to raise the temperature of a material by one degree Celsius?

• Aspecific heat capacity
• Btemperature
• Cmatter
• Denergy

A green tree frog lives in a forest. How does the frog's green color help it to survive?

• ABy keeping the frog cool
• BBy allowing the frog to make its own food
• CBy making the frog hard to see when sitting on leaves
• DBy helping the frog find other frogs