A Cornucopia of Scientists Trivia Quiz

Answer: relativity

Did you know that theoretical physicist Albert Einstein (1879-1955) was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize in physics, but it was for his discovery of the 'law of the photoelectric effect', not for his theory of relativity? In fact, it was only during his acceptance speech that he first mentioned his relativity theory.

This amazing genius created, perhaps, the best known equation of all time, i.e., E=mc2. This equation translates to "Energy is equal to mass times the speed of light squared". What this means is that energy and matter are the same stuff...simple, yet hugely significant.

Answer: radioactivity

Polish physicist and chemist Marie Curie (1867-1934) was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize; she was the first to win it twice, and the only woman who had ever won the award in two different disciplines. (Linus Pauling repeated that feat in Chemistry and Peace in 1954 and 1962).

In 1903 she won in physics; in 1911 for chemistry. Madame Curie is also responsible for coining the term radioactivity, and for the discovery of the elements polonium and radium. In 1898 she isolated polonium which she named after her native country, Poland.

Unfortunately, her work led to her death.

Answer: theory of gravity

Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727) was an early mathematician and physicist who is regarded as one of the most influential scientists in all of history. Newton is responsible for his law of gravitation and the laws of motion; although I've always wondered if the iconic story of the apple starting it all is true? On top of that, his humility comes through in his statement "If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants".

In addition to his 1687 publication, "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy", he also made contributions to optics and calculus.

Answer: evolution

Charles Darwin (1809-1882) was a naturalist and a geologist. His publication in 1859 of "The Origin of the Species" changed man's thinking about his place in the world, i.e., evolution vs. creationism. His trip on the HMS Beagle to the Galapagos Islands (a province of Ecuador) in 1835 led to the concept of 'natural selection'.

The ground-breaking and almost heretical idea that we now take for granted, that all species of life descended from common ancestors, was both revolutionary and profound.

Answer: structure of DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid...what a trip! DNA is a molecule which carries the 'genetic instructions' for all living organisms (and some viruses). DNA was actually discovered as far back as 1869, but its significance in determining genetic inheritance was not shown until 1943.

In 1953 American biologist James Watson and British physicist Francis Crick were able to help figure out the structure of DNA. For their discovery, Watson, Crick and Maurice Wilkins were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1962. Unfortunately, another contributor to the understanding of DNA, English chemist Rosalind Franklin, was never nominated for a Nobel Prize.

Answer: astronomy

Italian astronomer and mathematics professor Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) is often called "The Father of Modern Science". He constructed a telescope which allowed him to make astronomical observations which confirmed the theories of Copernicus, i.e., a 'heliocentric' universe or sun-centered solar system. For his pioneering efforts, Galileo was twice declared a heretic by the church. Mankind's ego at that time, demanded 'geocentrism', the thinking that earth was the center of the cosmos, and all revolved around it. For his revolutionary ideas, in 1633 Galileo was convicted of heresy and spent the rest of his life under house arrest.

Answer: principles of vaccination

Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) was a French chemist and microbiologist. His work in germ theory led to the development of life saving vaccines for rabies and anthrax. (It also led to the fact that Pasteur refused to shake hands with anyone.) Like so many scientific pioneers, his radical beliefs were, at first, ridiculed.

But his work transformed medicine, surgical procedures and, in general, how we look at disease. He is also responsible for the process of pasteurizing milk. Following up on the work of Edward Jenner, Pasteur's theories were, ultimately, responsible for saving millions of lives!

Answer: electromagnetism

English scientist Michael Faraday (1791-1867) was involved in the study of electromagnetism and electrochemistry. His discoveries include principles surrounding "electromagnetic induction, diamagnetism and electrolysis". Huh? Currents, electricity, magnets...oh my! I'm really not sure what all this means, but his research and inventions resulted in practical uses for electricity in technology; imagine a world without iPhones, lap tops and 'selfies'? Faraday is also responsible for coining the terms "anode", "cathode", "electrode' and "ion".

Answer: atomic structure

Working with knowledge gained from scientists like Marie Curie, Danish physicist Niels Bohr (1885-1962) contributed to man's knowledge of the structure of atoms and the radiation emerging from them. He also contributed to our knowledge of quantum theory (or quantum physics or quantum mechanics) which is defined as...wait for it..."a theory of matter and energy based on the concept of quanta". Well, that really clears it up, right?! Where is Sam Beckett when we need him? Anyway, Bohr received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922 for his work; oh, and the element bohrium was named after him.

Answer: genetics

It was the Austrian Monk Gregor Mendel (1822-1884) who discovered the basic principles of heredity. Known as "The Father of Modern Genetics", Mendel experimented with pea plants in the monastery's garden and observed that the inheritance of certain traits followed particular patterns. Around 1854, he began to study the transmission of 'hereditary characteristics' in plant hybrids.

His research was conducted over eight years, involving tens of thousands of plants. Based on his studies, he noted 'recessive and dominant traits' passed on from parents to offspring and, voila!, in 1875 the Punnett Square was born.