The world of science is fascinating, but it can be challenging for many people. Adding a round of science trivia to your next quiz night is a great way to stump — or delight — your teams!
In this post, we’ll introduce you to 70 science trivia questions across six captivating topics, including general trivia, biology questions, chemistry facts, and much more! Each question comes with an answer and fun fact, making it an educational experience for kids and adults.
General Science Trivia
Kick into gear with general science trivia questions. These 11 questions span various science topics, making it an excellent round for middle school kids, college students, and more.
What is the study of plants called?
Answer: Botany.
Fun Fact: Botany not only involves the study of plant structure and function but also plays a crucial role in ecological conservation efforts by understanding plant diversity and distributions.
How many phases does the moon go through per lunar cycle?
Answer: Eight.
Fun Fact: The moon’s phases are a result of its orbit around the Earth, which changes the portion of the moon illuminated by the sun as seen from Earth.
What is the periodic symbol for Lanthanum?
Answer: La.
Fun Fact: Lanthanum is a key component in producing camera lenses and other optical instruments due to its ability to refract light with minimal color distortion.
How many million times does lightning strike in the United States every year?
Answer: 40 (1).
Fun Fact: Florida is known as the lightning capital of the U.S. due to its high frequency of lightning strikes, especially during the summer months.
What percentage of all animals are invertebrates (without a backbone or bony skeleton)?
Answer: 97 percent (2).
Fun Fact: Invertebrates are incredibly diverse, ranging from simple sponges to complex cephalopods like octopuses and squid. They play vital roles in ecosystems as pollinators, decomposers, and prey.
What is the smallest unit of matter?
Answer: An atom.
Fun Fact: Atoms themselves are made up of smaller particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons, with electrons being nearly 1,800 times lighter than the other two.
What is the speed of light in a vacuum?
Answer: 299 792 458 meters per second.
Fun Fact: The speed of light is the universe’s ultimate speed limit, and it remains constant no matter the speed at which an observer travels.
How many bones are in the human body?
Answer: 206.
Fun Fact: Babies are born with about 300 bones, but as they grow, some fuse together, reducing the number to 206 by adulthood.
Where do plants get energy from?
Answer: The sun.
Fun Fact: Through photosynthesis, plants convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy stored in glucose, which fuels various plant activities and growth.
Who was the first woman in space in 1963?
Answer: Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova.
Fun Fact: Valentina Tereshkova was only 26 years old when she orbited the Earth 48 times in Vostok 6, paving the way for more women in space.
What is the word for cell division, where one cell divides into two identical cells?
Answer: Mitosis.
Fun Fact: Mitosis is critical for growth, repair, and regeneration within an organism, allowing for the replacement of old, worn-out cells.
Biology Trivia Questions
The next round is all about the living world. Dive into 12 thought-provoking trivia questions and answers all about biology. This round is perfect for a Jeopardy night, as everyone should have some basic knowledge of biology.
What is the oldest living thing on Earth?
Answer: Great Basin Bristlecone Pine — a species of pine tree.
Fun Fact: Some of these trees are over 5,000 years old, making them contemporary with human civilizations like the ancient Egyptians.
What is the smallest bone in the human body called?
Answer: The stapes.
Fun Fact: The stapes are crucial in the process of hearing, as they transmit sound vibrations from the middle ear to the inner ear.
Where is the tibiofemoral joint found?
Answer: At the knee.
Fun Fact: This joint is not only the largest in the human body but also one of the most stressed. It bears a significant part of the body’s weight and allows for complex movements.
What liquid attracts insects to flowers?
Answer: Nectar.
Fun Fact: Nectar not only attracts insects but also provides them with essential nutrients. In return, the insects help pollinate the plants, which is crucial for plant reproduction.
What continent does not have bees?
Answer: Antarctica.
Fun Fact: Antarctica’s harsh climate makes it inhospitable for bees and most forms of insect life, which are abundant on all other continents.
What is the smallest organ in the human body?
Answer: The pineal gland.
Fun Fact: Despite its size, the pineal gland plays a critical role in regulating sleep patterns by producing the hormone melatonin.
What is the largest organ in the human body?
Answer: Skin.
Fun Fact: The skin acts as a protective barrier against environmental hazards and helps regulate body temperature through sweating and blood flow.
What is the process by which living organisms produce their offspring?
Answer: Reproduction.
Fun Fact: Reproductive strategies vary widely across the animal kingdom, from single-cell division in bacteria to complex mating rituals in birds and mammals.
What is pyrogen?
Answer: A substance that causes a fever.
Fun Fact: Pyrogens, often part of the immune response, help the body fight off infections by making the environment less favorable for pathogens.
What is the most common blood type in the U.S.A.?
Answer: O-positive (3).
Fun Fact: O-positive blood is crucial in blood transfusions and emergency medical situations.
What is the casual name for Ilex aquifolium, a prickly green leaf with red berries?
Answer: Holly.
Fun Fact: Holly is popular in Christmas decorations and has historical significance in various cultures, symbolizing peace and joy.
What part of the human body is in charge of coordinating the autonomic nervous system?
Answer: The hypothalamus.
Fun Fact: The hypothalamus is integral in maintaining body homeostasis, regulating everything from temperature to hunger and emotional responses.
Physics Trivia Questions
If you’re looking for high school trivia questions, this round of physics trivia is a scientific solution for keeping kids entertained. These more complex questions are great for teens and adults, although some children might be able to take a whack at them!
What is the SI unit of force?
Answer: Newton.
Fun Fact: The Newton is named after Sir Isaac Newton to honor his work on classical mechanics, specifically Newton’s second law of motion.
What is the name of the nearest known black hole, 1,500 light years away?
Answer: Gaia BH1.
Fun Fact: Gaia BH1 challenges our understanding of star death and black hole formation, as it exists in a binary system with a sun-like star, providing unique insights into gravitational interactions.
Does sound travel fastest in water or air?
Answer: Water.
Fun Fact: Sound travels about four times faster in water than in air due to the closer molecular spacing in liquids, facilitating quicker vibration transmission.
How long does it take sunlight to reach Earth?
Answer: 8.33 minutes.
Fun Fact: This delay means that we see the sun as it was over eight minutes ago, not as it is at the exact moment we are looking.
What object did Albert Einstein’s father gift him that sparked his love of physics?
Answer: A compass.
Fun Fact: Einstein’s fascination with the compass needle’s consistent northward swing led him to explore more profound scientific principles, ultimately contributing to his groundbreaking theories.
Who discovered the three laws of planetary motion?
Answer: Johannes Kepler.
Fun Fact: Kepler’s laws describe the motion of planets around the sun and have been fundamental in calculating orbits for satellites and space missions.
What is the law that states for every action, there is an equal opposite reaction?
Answer: Newton’s third law of motion.
Fun Fact: This law explains a wide range of physical phenomena, from rockets launching into space to how fish propel themselves in water.
What unit measures electrical power?
Answer: Watts.
Fun Fact: The Watt is named after James Watt, the Scottish inventor who significantly improved steam engine efficiency — an advancement that contributed to the Industrial Revolution.
How many patents did the inventor Thomas Edison acquire?
Answer: 1,093.
Fun Fact: Thomas Edison’s patents ranged from electric light and power to phonographs and motion pictures, highlighting his versatile contributions to technology and entertainment.
What is the only natural satellite that orbits the Earth?
Answer: The moon.
Fun Fact: The moon’s gravitational pull influences Earth’s tides and subtly affects its rotational speed.
Chemistry Trivia Questions
These chemistry questions are not basic. In fact, these 12 questions range from super tricky to fairly simple, making them great for family fun nights, testing your classroom, or adults at a pub quiz.
What is the chemical symbol for gold?
Answer: Au.
Fun Fact: The symbol Au comes from the Latin name for gold, “aurum,” which means “glowing dawn,” reflecting the metal’s shiny appearance.
What is the hardest chemical in the human body?
Answer: Tooth enamel.
Fun Fact: Tooth enamel primarily consists of hydroxyapatite, a crystalline calcium phosphate compound harder than steel but much more brittle.
What is the chemical symbol for silver?
Answer: Ag.
Fun Fact: The symbol Ag is derived from the Latin word “argentum,” which means “silver.” Historically, silver was used to create coins and luxury items due to its malleability and lustrous finish.
What is the term for a negatively charged ion?
Answer: Anion.
Fun Fact: Anions are typically formed when atoms gain electrons, resulting in a net negative charge. They play crucial roles in chemistry and are essential for electricity conduction in solutions.
What color is powdered lead carbonate?
Answer: White.
Fun Fact: Historically, lead carbonate was used extensively as a white pigment in paints under the name “white lead,” but it has mainly been discontinued due to toxicity concerns.
How many molecules thick is a piece of paper?
Answer: Around 100,000.
Fun Fact: While a sheet of paper may seem thin to the naked eye, it comprises numerous layers of cellulose molecules stacked to provide strength and flexibility.
What is the most abundant element on Earth?
Answer: Hydrogen (4).
Fun Fact: While hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, most of Earth’s hydrogen is bound in water molecules, making the oceans a vast store.
True or false: you also have taste buds on your cheeks.
Answer: True.
Fun Fact: Beyond the tongue, taste buds can also be found on the roof of the mouth and the upper part of the esophagus, allowing for a more complex perception of taste.
What color is liquid oxygen?
Answer: Blue.
Fun Fact: Liquid oxygen is blue due to its molecular structure, which causes it to absorb red light and reflect blue light.
What is the longer name for H2O2?
Answer: Hydrogen peroxide.
Fun Fact: Hydrogen peroxide is widely used as a disinfectant and bleaching agent. However, it also plays a role in biological functions, including acting as a signaling molecule in the body.
Name the addictive substance that is used in tobacco products.
Answer: Nicotine.
Fun Fact: Nicotine stimulates the brain to release dopamine, creating feelings of pleasure and addiction, making smoking cessation challenging for many people.
What is the chemical symbol for Americium?
Answer: Am.
Fun Fact: Americium is a synthetic element widely used in smoke detectors due to its ability to ionize air, a critical component in detecting smoke particles.
What is the chemical name for table salt?
Answer: Sodium chloride.
Fun Fact: Sodium chloride, beyond its culinary uses, plays an essential role in biological functions, including nerve transmission and muscle contraction.
STEM Trivia Questions
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The following 12 questions focus on STEM. Let’s dive in!
What is the chemical symbol for iron?
Answer: Fe.
Fun Fact: Iron is crucial in manufacturing and biological processes and is a key component of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen in the blood.
When did Apple introduce the standard lightning cable?
Answer: 2012.
Fun Fact: The lightning cable was a significant technological leap from the 30-pin connector, offering a reversible plug that significantly improved user convenience and device interoperability.
What is the branch of civil engineering that focuses on engineering behaviors in Earth’s natural materials?
Answer: Geotechnical engineering.
Fun Fact: Geotechnical engineering is critical in the construction of foundations, tunnels, dams, and other structures that rely on the properties of soil and rock.
What is zero to the power of zero?
Answer: Undefined or one, depending on the mathematician you ask.
Fun Fact: In many programming languages, 0^0 is defined as 1, based on the mathematical convention used in power series expansion and other applications.
Who is named the “father of computer science” and created the concept of the Turing machine?
Answer: Alan Turing.
Fun Fact: Alan Turing’s work laid the foundation for modern computing, and his contributions were instrumental in deciphering the Enigma code during WWII.
Do you grow taller or smaller if you go into space?
Answer: Taller.
Fun Fact: In the microgravity environment of space, the spine elongates up to several centimeters, temporarily increasing an astronaut’s height until they return to Earth’s gravity.
What is the pH of ammonia?
Answer: 11 to 13.
Fun Fact: Ammonia’s high pH makes it a common base in many cleaning products, where it is prized for its effectiveness in breaking down dirt and grime.
What is the name of SpaceX’s satellite internet constellation?
Answer: Starlink.
Fun Fact: Starlink aims to provide high-speed internet access globally, even in remote and underserved areas, by deploying thousands of small satellites in low Earth orbit.
What is the abbreviation for Crystalline silicon?
Answer: c-Si.
Fun Fact: Crystalline silicon is the most widely used photovoltaic material for solar panels, due to its durability and efficiency in converting sunlight into electricity.
What device is used to project objects far without a propellant?
Answer: Catapult or trebuchet.
Fun Fact: Historically, trebuchets were formidable siege engines used during the Middle Ages to hurl projectiles over large distances to breach fortifications.
What is the pseudonym of the mysterious person who created Bitcoin?
Answer: Satoshi Nakamoto.
Fun Fact: Satoshi Nakamoto’s true identity remains unknown, sparking various theories and adding an element of mystery to the cryptocurrency world.
Who discovered calculus alongside Gottfried Leibniz?
Answer: Isaac Newton.
Fun Fact: The simultaneous development of calculus by Newton and Leibniz, independently of each other, is one of the most famous instances of the multiple-discovery theory in the history of science.
Astronomy Trivia Questions
It’s time for the final round; this time, we’re taking you to the stars! The following 12 science trivia questions are all about astronomy. How many can your team guess right?
What star, besides the sun, is closest to the Earth?
Answer: Proxima Centauri.
Fun Fact: Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf, the most common type of star in the Milky Way, known for its longevity and stability. It is part of the Alpha Centauri star system.
How many tonnes of space dust lands on the Earth every day?
Answer: 14 (5).
Fun Fact: This space dust, primarily from comets and asteroids, contributes to the Earth’s mass over geological timescales and can carry organic compounds that some scientists believe might have played a role in the origin of life on Earth.
How far from Saturn’s equator are its rings?
Answer: Almost 86991 miles.
Fun Fact: Saturn’s rings are made mostly of ice particles, with some rock and dust, and are believed to be remnants of comets, asteroids, or shattered moons.
What are storms caused by the sun called?
Answer: Solar storms.
Fun Fact: Solar storms can affect Earth’s magnetic field, causing beautiful auroras as well as disruptions in satellite communications and power grids.
Which two planets don’t have a natural satellite?
Answer: Mercury and Venus.
Fun Fact: Mercury and Venus are the only two planets in our solar system without moons, possibly due to their proximity to the sun and its strong gravitational pull influencing celestial mechanics.
How long is Mercury’s year?
Answer: 88 days.
Fun Fact: A year on Mercury is shorter than its day! Mercury completes its orbit around the Sun in 88 Earth days but takes 176 Earth days to complete one rotation on its axis.
A little history question: what year was dark energy discovered?
Answer: 1998.
Fun Fact: Dark energy, thought to be driving the accelerated expansion of the universe, remains one of the greatest mysteries in cosmology, constituting about 68% of the universe.
In 1997, who was the first astronaut to vote from space?
Answer: David Wolf.
Fun Fact: The ability for astronauts to vote from space was made possible by a special bill passed in Texas, allowing them to participate in elections despite being off-planet.
What is the name of the largest moon in the solar system?
Answer: Ganymede.
Fun Fact: Ganymede, a moon of Jupiter, is larger than the planet Mercury and is the only moon in the solar system known to have its own magnetic field.
What is the name of the stars formed when big stars run out of fuel and collapse?
Answer: Neutron stars.
Fun Fact: Neutron stars are incredibly dense, so much so that a sugar-cube-sized amount of material from a neutron star would weigh about a billion tons on Earth.
What group of people invented astrology in the year 1000 BCE?
Answer: Assyro-Babylonians.
Fun Fact: Astrology, originally used to predict seasonal shifts and interpret celestial cycles, has evolved significantly over millennia but remains popular in various forms worldwide.
Europa is a moon that orbits which planet?
Answer: Jupiter.
Fun Fact: Europa is one of the most likely places in our solar system to find life outside Earth due to its subsurface ocean, which is believed to contain twice as much water as Earth’s oceans.
FAQs
Who Is Known As the Father of Science?
Galileo Galilei, born in 1564 in Italy, is known as the Father of Science. Albert Einstein awarded him this title. Galileo Galilei is known for designing the refracting telescope, which he used to discover Jupiter’s four largest moons. He also discovered the sun’s sunspots and the phases of Venus. Galileo also supported the heliocentric theory, which had previously caused Giordano Bruno’s execution.
What Are Some Questions Science Still Hasn’t Answered?
Many mysteries about our universe have yet to be answered. Science has come a long way in the past few thousand years, but we still don’t know everything. Some questions that haven’t been answered yet include:
- What is the nature of dark matter and dark energy?
- Are humans alone in the universe?
- What is the fundamental nature of consciousness?
- What lies beyond a black hole?
- What is the fate of the universe?
- How can we cure cancer?
- How many species are on Earth?
- Is the universe infinite?
- Why do we dream?
- What’s at the bottom of the ocean?
With the rate at which things are going, we might have answers to some of these questions before the end of our lifetime!
