Test Your Science Basics: Science Trivia

Tuff is a type of hard rock that is formed when loose volcanic ash becomes compacted and cemented together over time. It is commonly found in volcanic areas where ash and other volcanic materials have accumulated and undergone lithification. Tuff is known for its durability and is often used as a building material.

A geyser is a natural phenomenon where super hot water and steam erupt from bedrock. Distillation is the process of separating substances through evaporation and condensation. A rain gauge is a device used to measure rainfall.  A water turbine is a device used to generate electricity from the flow of water.

Arcturus is an orange giant star located in the constellation Boötes. Its surface temperature is approximately 42,000 degrees Celsius. The distance from the Sun to Arcturus is estimated to be around 36.7 light-years. This measurement is determined through astronomical techniques such as parallax, which involves observing the apparent shift in a star's position as the Earth orbits the Sun. The given distance of 36.7 light-years indicates the span of time it takes for light to travel from Arcturus to Earth, considering that light travels at a speed of about 186,282 miles per second.

A cinder cone is a type of volcano that is formed from ashes and other dust materials that are thrown high up into the air and harden before they can spread further down. This type of volcano has a steep slope and is usually smaller than a shield or composite volcano. It is characterized by its conical shape and is often found in volcanic fields.

The billiard ball experienced a deceleration of 5 m/s because it started with an initial velocity of 15 m/s and came to a stop after 3 seconds. To calculate the deceleration, we can use the formula- acceleration = (final velocity - initial velocity) / time. In this case, the final velocity is 0 m/s (since the ball stopped), and the initial velocity is 15 m/s. Plugging these values into the formula, we get- acceleration = (0 m/s - 15 m/s) / 3 s = -15 m/s / 3 s = -5 m/s2. Since acceleration is a vector quantity, the negative sign indicates that the ball is decelerating.

Silicon is the correct answer because it is the most commonly used material in the production of microchips. Silicon has unique electrical properties that make it an ideal choice for creating integrated circuits, which are the building blocks of microchips. It is a semiconductor material that can be doped to create either a positive or negative charge, allowing for the creation of transistors and other electronic components. Silicon also has a high thermal conductivity, which helps dissipate heat generated by the microchips. Overall, silicon's abundance, versatility, and electrical properties make it the metal of choice for microchip manufacturing.

Thermoplastic is a type of plastic that can be melted and reshaped multiple times without any change in its properties. This makes it suitable for recycling as it can be melted down and used to create new products. On the other hand, thermosets cannot be melted and reshaped, making them unsuitable for recycling.

Osmium is the densest naturally occurring element in the periodic table. It has a density of 22.59 grams per cubic centimeter, making it twice as dense as lead. Osmium is a hard, brittle, bluish-white metal that is found in platinum ores. It is commonly used in alloys, electrical contacts, and fountain pen tips due to its high density and resistance to corrosion.

Mercury is a unique metal that remains in a liquid state at room temperature. With a melting point of -38.83 degrees Celsius (-37.89 degrees Fahrenheit) and a boiling point of 356.7 degrees Celsius (674.1 degrees Fahrenheit), it stays in a liquid form within the typical temperature range found in room environments. This characteristic, along with its density and other properties, makes mercury distinct from most other metals, which are solid at room temperature. Due to its liquid nature and toxicity, precautions are often taken when handling mercury.