General Science Knowledge Questions! Trivia Quiz

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Daniel P, MSEd (Science Education) |
Science Teacher
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Daniel P. is an experienced STEM club teacher with 11 years of urban teaching experience. He holds a MSEd in Science Education from The City College of New York and a BA in History from Binghamton University. He is committed to enhancing student education, using his expertise in curriculum design, differentiated instruction, and Google Classroom.
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    As of 2023, the world population is closest to:

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About This Quiz

What we have here are some general science knowledge questions! There are a lot of people who have a negative opinion of science saying how hard it is to understand some topics. Still, if one reads adequately topic by topic, they stand a higher chance of understanding the concepts. In this quiz, you will get to test your understanding of some general scientific facts. Give it a try and see if you might need a tutor.

General Science Knowledge Questions! Trivia Quiz - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    How many planets are in the solar system?  

    • Nine

    • Eight

    • Seven

    • Six

    • More than 1,000

    Correct Answer
    A. Eight
    Explanation
    The correct answer is eight because after the reclassification of Pluto as a dwarf planet in 2006, there are currently eight recognized planets in the solar system. These planets include Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

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  • 3. 

    Which of the following is characteristic of all living things:

    • Phototropism

    • Being composed of cells

    • Dependence on the Sun’s energy for energy

    • Ability to move

    Correct Answer
    A. Being composed of cells
    Explanation
    Being composed of cells is characteristic of all living things. Cells are the basic structural and functional units of life. They are responsible for carrying out essential processes such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli. All living organisms, from the simplest bacteria to complex multicellular organisms, are composed of cells. Cells provide the necessary framework for life and allow for the organization and specialization of different tissues and organs. Therefore, the presence of cells is a fundamental characteristic of all living things.

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  • 4. 

    How many colors are in a rainbow?

    • 1

    • 7

    • 700

    • As many as the eye can see

    Correct Answer
    A. 7
    Explanation
    A rainbow typically has seven colors. These colors are:
    Red
    Orange
    Yellow
    Green
    Blue
    Indigo
    Violet
    These colors are often remembered by the acronym ROYGBIV, which stands for Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. Rainbows form when sunlight is refracted, dispersed, and reflected by water droplets in the atmosphere, creating this spectrum of colors.

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  • 5. 

    Which of these is NOT one of the risks of smoking tobacco?

    • Coronary heart disease

    • Emphysema

    • Rheumatic fever.

    • increased incidence of stillbirths and low-weight babies.

    • Cancer of the bladder and pancreas

    Correct Answer
    A. Rheumatic fever.
    Explanation
    Rheumatic fever is not one of the risks of smoking tobacco. Smoking tobacco is associated with various health risks such as coronary heart disease, emphysema, increased incidence of stillbirths and low-weight babies, and cancer of the bladder and pancreas. However, rheumatic fever is not directly linked to smoking tobacco. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can occur after a streptococcal infection, particularly in children.

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  • 6. 

    ____ is the process by which energy travels from a warm substance to a colder substance.

    • Conduction

    • Convection

    • Radiation

    • Absorption

    Correct Answer
    A. Conduction
    Explanation
    Conduction is the process by which energy travels from a warm substance to a colder substance. This occurs through direct contact between the particles of the two substances, where the faster-moving particles transfer their energy to the slower-moving particles. Unlike convection, which involves the movement of a fluid, or radiation, which involves the transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves, conduction relies on physical contact for energy transfer. Absorption, on the other hand, refers to the process of taking in or assimilating energy, rather than transferring it between substances.

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  • 7. 

    Which planet can never be seen directly overhead at midnight?

    • Mercury

    • Mars

    • Jupiter

    • Saturn

    Correct Answer
    A. Mercury
    Explanation
    Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun, and its orbit is located between the Sun and Earth. Therefore, it can never be seen directly overhead at midnight because it is always in close proximity to the Sun in the sky.

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  • 8. 

    Considering Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection, we are talking about:  

    • A proven fact

    • A hunch or idea, or a possibility

    • An explanation which is well established

    • A law of science

    Correct Answer
    A. An explanation which is well established
    Explanation
    The answer "an explanation which is well established" is correct because Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is a widely accepted and extensively supported scientific explanation for the diversity of life on Earth. It is based on a vast amount of evidence from various fields of study, including paleontology, genetics, and comparative anatomy. The theory has been tested and validated over time, and it continues to be a fundamental concept in the field of biology.

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  • 9. 

    What is the most abundant gas in the Earth's atmosphere?

    • Oxygen

    • Hydrogen

    • Nitrogen

    • Carbon Dioxide

    • All of the above.

    Correct Answer
    A. Nitrogen
    Explanation
    Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the Earth's atmosphere, making up about 78% of the air by volume. It plays a critical role in the biosphere and in the chemical processes necessary for life. Oxygen, while essential for combustion and respiration, makes up about 21%, and other gases such as carbon dioxide and argon make up the remainder. Understanding the composition of the atmosphere is essential for fields ranging from environmental science to engineering and health.

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  • 10. 

    Which is NOT an example of a mineral?  a. quartz,  b. calcite,  c. gypsum,  d. mica,  e. slate.

    • Quartz

    • Slate

    • Mica

    • Corundum

    • Gypsum

    Correct Answer
    A. Slate
    Explanation
    Slate is not an example of a mineral because it is a metamorphic rock, not a naturally occurring inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and a crystalline structure. Quartz, calcite, gypsum, and mica are all examples of minerals as they meet the criteria of being naturally occurring, inorganic, solid substances with a specific chemical composition and a crystalline structure. Corundum is also a mineral, so it is not the correct answer.

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  • 11. 

    Which of the following elements is not found in nature and can only be created synthetically in a laboratory?

    • Uranium

    • Plutonium

    • Technetium

    • Radon

    Correct Answer
    A. Technetium
    Explanation
    Technetium (Tc) is the first element that was created synthetically and is not found naturally on Earth in any significant amounts. Unlike uranium and plutonium, which can be found in trace amounts in nature, and radon, which occurs naturally as a radioactive gas, technetium is produced in nuclear reactors and is primarily used in medical diagnostics.

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  • 12. 

    Which of the following is NOT a type of rock?

    • Igneous

    • Metamorphic 

    • Sedimentary 

    • Crystalline

    Correct Answer
    A. Crystalline
    Explanation
    While many rocks contain crystals, "crystalline" is not a fundamental rock classification. The three main types of rocks are igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. Igneous rocks are formed from cooled magma or lava. Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks are changed by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions. Sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation and cementation of sediments.

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  • 13. 

    What is the approximate total number of genes, that we humans possess?

    • 200 million

    • 200 thousand

    • 20 thousand

    • 2,000

    • 200

    Correct Answer
    A. 20 thousand
    Explanation
    Humans possess approximately 20 thousand genes. Genes are segments of DNA that contain instructions for building proteins, which are essential for the structure and function of our bodies. These genes determine our physical traits, susceptibility to diseases, and other biological characteristics. The Human Genome Project, completed in 2003, estimated that humans have around 20,000 to 25,000 genes. This number is significantly smaller than initially anticipated, but ongoing research continues to refine our understanding of the human genome.

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  • 14. 

    Most of the naturally occurring elements on the Earth were formed during:

    • Nuclear fission within the earth

    • Fusion reactions within stars

    • Supernovae explosions of supergiant stars

    • The Big Bang

    • The Cambrian period

    Correct Answer
    A. Fusion reactions within stars
    Explanation
    This process occurs primarily in the cores of stars, where hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium and progressively heavier elements through nuclear fusion reactions. Elements up to iron are typically formed in stars through these processes. Elements heavier than iron are often formed during supernova explosions (option c), where the intense energy and pressure facilitate the creation of heavier elements through nucleosynthesis.

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  • 15. 

    At what time of day would one find the sun directly overhead (say, in Roanoke, Virginia or New York City)?  

    • Varies between 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

    • Noon

    • Noon during Standard Time only

    • 1:00 pm

    • Never

    Correct Answer
    A. Never
    Explanation
    The sun is never directly overhead in Roanoke, Virginia or New York City. This is because these cities are located north of the Tropic of Cancer, which means that the sun's rays never reach a point directly overhead. The sun is only directly overhead at locations between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

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Daniel P |MSEd (Science Education) |
Science Teacher
Daniel P. is an experienced STEM club teacher with 11 years of urban teaching experience. He holds a MSEd in Science Education from The City College of New York and a BA in History from Binghamton University. He is committed to enhancing student education, using his expertise in curriculum design, differentiated instruction, and Google Classroom.

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