Best of the Best: Scientists Trivia Quiz

Answer: Newton

Newton's famous work, "Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica" formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation, but he also studied optics, validated the heliocentric model of the universe, and laid the foundation for classical mechanics, which is also called Newtonian mechanics.

Although he shares the credit for the formulation of calculus with Gottfried Leibniz, many believe it was done so independently.

Answer: Einstein

Although Albert Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1921 for his discovery of the law of photoelectric effect, he is perhaps more famous for his theory of relativity and E = mc2, which is called "the world's most famous equation". Einstein was in the United States when Hitler came to power in Germany, and decided to stay there, becoming an American citizen in 1940.

He said that he believed encouraging the development of the atomic bomb in the U.S. was his "one great mistake", however, he understood the danger of nuclear warfare in the hands of Nazi Germany.

Answer: James Clerk Maxwell

James Clerk Maxwell's greatest contribution to science is considered to be his theory of electromagnetic radiation. His contributions are considered to be as important as Einstein's and Newton's; many physicists believe his findings had the largest impact on twentieth century physics. Einstein once said that his work was the "most profound and the most fruitful that physics has experienced since the time of Newton".

Answer: Louis Pasteur

While the process of the pasteurization of milk may be Louis Pasteur's most important contribution to science, his discoveries in microbiology have undoubtedly saved hundreds of lives. In addition, Pasteur made notable discoveries in the field of chemistry, such as asymmetry of crystals and racemisation.

The Pasteur Institute, founded in 1887 to study diseases, vaccines, and micro-organisms is still in existence today.

Answer: Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin was well-known as a naturalist by the time the HMS Beagle returned to England. He had studied plankton while at sea, geology in the Cape Verde Islands, and found fossil bones in Patagonia. It was approximately fifteen years after the famous voyage before Darwin published his famous "On the Origin of Species", which proposed his famous theory of evolution.

Answer: Marie Sklodowska-Curie

Not only was Marie Curie the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, she was the first person and only woman to win twice in two different fields. In 1903 she shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with her husband, Pierre, and physicist Henri Becquerel for their research on radiation.

She was awarded the 1911 Nobel Prize in Chemistry "in recognition of her services to the advancement of chemistry by the discovery of the elements radium and polonium, by the isolation of radium and the study of the nature and compounds of this remarkable element."

Answer: Nikola Tesla

Best known for his work with the modern alternating current electricity supply system, in 1887 Tesla constructed the AC induction motor. He worked for Edison for a time; they did not part as friends as many of their inventions put them in direct competition. George Westinghouse purchased Tesla's patents in 1888, and when the Westinghouse Corporation was chosen to provide the lighting for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Tesla was able to demonstrate his AC system.

It is estimated that he obtained patents for at least 278 items, including X-ray and radar technology.

Answer: Niels Bohr

Bohr, born in Copenhagen, Denmark, received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922 for his work with atomic structure and quantum theory. During WWII he helped refugees who had been displaced by the Nazis; in 1943 he was forced to flee to Sweden after hearing that he was to be arrested by the Germans.

He was invited to come to Britain, and became part of the British delegation to the Manhattan Project. The Institute of Theoretical Physics, part of the University of Copenhagen, which opened in 1920 was renamed the Niels Bohr Institute in 1993 in his honor.

Answer: Galileo

Galileo is probably best known for his construction of a telescope which supported the heliocentric theory of Copernicus. This was a very controversial subject, as the Catholic Church believed in the geocentric theory - that Earth was the center of the universe. Brought before the Inquisition, which was pretty serious business, Galileo was found "vehemently suspect of heresy" and spent the last nine years of his life under house arrest. With his telescope, Galileo also found the moons orbiting Jupiter and observed and analyzed sunspots.

He also invented an improved military compass.

Answer: Aristotle

While Aristotle was interested in a variety of topics, such as political science, logic, and rhetoric, biology was his main interest. He taught that all organisms evolved from simpler to more complex forms. He also collected plants and animals, classifying them based on their similarities and differences.

His famous student, Alexander, is said to have sent specimens found on his great journey back for Aristotle to study. His influence spanned several centuries; students still learned of his teachings in the Middle Ages and Renaissance.