Not Necessarily Heavy Metal Trivia Quiz

Answer: Copper

The right arm of the Statue of Liberty arrived in the States first and was put on public display at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876. From there it was transported to New York City and put on display there from 1876 to 1882. Lack of funds to complete the statue slowed the project down.

It was a joint project between the United States and France from the very beginning, with France doing the actual building. Noted publisher Joseph Pulitzer started a fundraiser and the statue was finally completed and shipped in crates from France.

It was dedicated on October 28, 1886.

Answer: Lithium

The name "lithium" is derived from the Greek word "lithos" which means "stone" in English. Its atomic number is 3. It is the lightest metal and the lightest element under standard conditions. Highly reactive and flammable, it shows a metallic luster when it is first cut open, but it is quick to corrode to a dull gray and will eventually turn black.

Answer: The Silver Screen

The term "silver screen" originated in the early days of motion pictures as early projection screens contained silver or aluminum in their reflective surface. Although they gradually ceased being used as the movies grew in popularity they have recently come back because of their suitability for 3-D movies which have regained popularity.

Answer: full metal jacket

The full metal jacket bullet was invented by Eduard Rubin in 1882. Colonel Rubin was working in research and development at the Swiss Federal Ammunition Factory and Research Center. The fully jacketed bullet had less capacity to expand on impact than a hollow point projectile and was thus considered more humane.

This was in keeping with The Hague Convention's 1899 declaration forbidding the use of bullets which expand or flatten in the body.

Answer: pyrite

Pyrite is a sulfide mineral. It was used as an ignition source in early firearms of the the 16th and 17th centuries. Its metallic luster and brass-like hue have resulted in the term "fools gold". The name "pyrite" is derived from the Greek word "pyr" meaning fire.

Answer: mercury

In the early 19th century mercury compounds were regularly used by hat makers to cure the felt until instances of hallucinations and other psychotic behavior began multiplying. This is thought to have given rise to the expression "Mad as a hatter" and the condition was even called "Mad Hatter's Disease".

The first emperor of China, thinking that mercury contained healing powers, died after drinking a potion made up of mercury and powdered jade.

Answer: South Africa

South Africa has accounted for 80 percent of the world's production of platinum since the discovery and continuing into the twenty-first century. Platinum is considered a "noble metal" due to its strong resistance to corrosion, even at high temperatures. There is an abundance of platinum on the moon and it is also found in meteorites.

Answer: copper

Early American silversmiths used sterling silver to make items such as buckles and ornate coffee pots. Until 1814 they adhered to the standards set by the London Goldsmith Company which required sterling silver to consist of from 91.5 to 92.5 silver and 8.5 to 9.5 percent silver. Legendary historical figure Paul Revere was a silversmith, and a very successful one, retiring as a very wealthy man. With the onset of the Industrial Revolution silversmithing declined as an art.

However, the silver flatware industry grew.

Answer: Because it uses cyanide to extract the gold from ore

Gold which is absorbed into a carbon matrix can be extracted by a solution of caustic soda and cyanide. Because of the high toxicity of the cyanide compound used, this extraction method is considered hazardous. Most countries have put in strict regulations with regard to its use and method of extraction.

Answer: aluminum

The perceived value of aluminum in the mid-19th century came as a result of ingots on display at a French exhibition known as "Exposition Universelle'" in 1855. But Emperor Napoleon III was already enamored with its luster and first saw it as means to make lightweight weaponry and armor. That, however, proved not to be cost effective. Legend has it that he ordered aluminum melted down and used for cutlery and plates for himself and his honored guests. Once it was discovered a few years later that it was easily obtainable through electrolysis its value lowered considerably.