How Do You Measure Up? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Earthquakes

A seismograph measures the intensity of earthquakes. The scale used to measure an earthquake's intensity, is the Richter scale. When a seismograph measures the intensity of an earthquake, scientists use the Richter scale to determine its severity. The strongest earthquake ever measured on the Richter scale occurred in Chile in 1960, when the Valdivia Earthquake registered a whopping 9.5 on the Richter scale.

Answer: Illumination

The most common use of photometers is, appropriately, in photography. Photometers in cameras help determine the appropriate light exposure, which helps make the best photo possible. Too much exposure can cause a photograph to not turn out properly. In those cases, the pictures appear to be saturated with white light. Photometers help make sure photographs have the right balance of exposure.

Answer: Wind speed

Weather vanes are the most common form of anemometer, which not only give a rough estimation of wind speed, but also wind direction. Airports use anemometers and wind socks to measure wind speed and direction, which aid air traffic control and pilots in safely taking off, or landing planes.

Answer: Ocean depth

A fathometer measures depths of oceans and seas with echo sounding. The echo waves are sent through the water, and the depth is measured by the amount of time it takes the sound to travel from the fathometer, to the sea bed, and back to the surface.

Answer: Radiation

Geiger counters are a common scientific measuring tool, used to measure nuclear radiation. Different materials have different levels of radiation, and when dealing with these materials, it's important to know how strong radiation levels are, as too much radiation exposure is deadly.

Answer: Humidity

Hygrometers don't just measure the levels of moisture in the air, although this is the most common use. Hygrometers can also measure moisture levels in different situations and professions. Moisture can cause problems in various professions and areas of life, and hygrometers help make sure that moisture levels are just right.

Answer: Liquid viscosity

Certain liquids have higher viscosity than other liquids, and sometimes it's important to know just how thin or thick a liquid is. Viscometers measure the drag that a liquid produces as it flows along a surface, which helps determine its relative thickness.

Answer: Lung capacity

In human biology, the lungs are a vital part of survival. A lack of air can be extremely dangerous, so making sure that a person's lungs are at the correct capacity is important in medical practice. Spirometers allow doctors to determine lung capacity, which can help in diagnosing certain medical issues.

Answer: Force or torque

The most common use of a dynamometer is to measure the torque in the engine of a car. This helps determine revolutions per minute, which is the determining factor in the engine's power. The more power the engine has, the faster and stronger a vehicle will be with that engine.

Answer: Fermentation

The amount of fermentation in alcohol is measured by a zymometer. Specifically, it measures the effectiveness of the yeast's ability to create carbon dioxide. Yeast producing carbon dioxide is the key component in fermentation, and so making sure there isn't too much or too little, helps make the best product.