Scientific 'A' Acronyms Trivia Quiz

Answer: And

The full name is RAdio Detecting And Ranging, a system using magnetic waves to determine the distance of far off objects, their angle, and their velocity relative to the observer. The first patent related to radar was taken out in 1904, however, the idea had been present since 1886 at least. That year, German physicist Heinrich Hertz demonstrated how radio waves can reflect off of objects and be detected.

Answer: All-purpose

Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code is a programming language that was developed at New Hampshire's Dartmouth College in the 1960s for non specialists to use in writing their own computer programs. It was developed at a time when all people needed to be able to code their computers to make them work, but only mathematicians and scientists would bother learning the complicated languages that were out there.

Answer: Apparatus

Scuba is an acronym for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, developed from the aqualung devised by undersea explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau in 1946. Scuba diving lets the diver take their own air with them as compressed air in tanks. This form of diving underwater allows for freedom of movement since the diver does not have to be tethered to the surface by an air tube.

It also allows for more time underwater than free diving. However, scuba diving is not without its dangers. At a certain depth, nitrogen narcosis can develop if the pressure allows for more compressed nitrogen into the lungs. Oxygen poisoning can also occur in deep dives for the same reason.

However, as a semiprofessional scuba diver, I highly recommend the sport and think that it's one of the greatest experiences in the world.

Answer: Amplification

Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. It is a form of amplified and focused light that creates a very narrow beam as well as a focused wavelength for the beam, hence, one colour and a tight dot of light. Lasers can be used for everyday things like reading DVDs or printers, or they can be very energized for uses like welding or laser surgery.

The first laser was built in 1960, however, the idea for a source of amplified light had been around for several years prior to that.

Answer: Aeronautics

NASA is an acronym for National Aeronautics and Space Administration, a part of the US federal government that deals in aerospace research and space exploration. It was founded in 1946 as the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and later developed under President Eisenhower as the National Aeronautics and Space Act.

While NASA is often remembered for their Apollo program that put a man on the moon, they have, over the years, been at the forefront of space exploration and research.

Answer: Alternating

AC/DC is an acronym which stands for Alternating Current/Direct Current. It refers to the two ways that electricity can be used. Direct current is what you get from batteries; there is a defined positive side (anode) and a defined negative side (cathode), and the electrons flow in one direction between the two and, as long as the power source is steady, is of a single magnitude.

Alternating current is what you get from the electrical outlet in your house. In this form of electricity the current oscillates between positive and negative and changes the magnitude of the current. This form of electricity was developed in order to minimize power loss when transmitting the electricity over distances.

Answer: Access

The acronym RAM stands for Random-Access Memory. It is a form of computer memory that can be accessed non-sequentially, written and rewritten as needed. Code can be stored on it and data can be written to it to be used as needed. Your computer, the one that is being used to access this quiz (and yes, a smartphone is also a form of computer), uses its RAM to store parts of code it needs in order to show you the quiz, stores data as you enter the answers, and allows you to submit those results to get your score.

The RAM can be then overwritten to access another amazing quiz written by me!

Answer: Acquired

AIDS is an acronym for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. It is a virus that attacks the human immune system, laving the body susceptible to internal and external infections, eventually leading to death. It is caused by HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, and as it progresses, it becomes referred to as AIDS.

It can be transmitted through some bodily fluids like blood, semen, and breast milk, but not saliva, tears, and sweat. There have been many efforts to find a cure for HIV/AIDS, and much money has been spent on this endeavour.

Answer: Automated

A CAPTCHA is an acronym for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart... what a mouthful (and actually a backronym)! You know those annoying tests when you're surfing the web and all you wanted to do was purchase this cute cat poster for your room but you can't do it because you have to identify pictures that have traffic lights in them...?! That's them. The idea is to make a test of a picture (or several pictures) that requires human intuition to pass. That way, automated bots will be filtered out.

So, please select all questions that refer to...

Answer: Anti-lock

ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System, a mechanical way to prevent unsafe braking which can lead to skidding and a loss of control of the vehicle. The ABS prevents the vehicle's wheels from locking which allows for steering when the brakes are engaged, even when braking hard.

This mimics the old technique of pumping one's brakes, but at a much faster rate than humanly possible. While this increases the stopping distance, the safety gained by having the ability to steer is a much greater advantage. ABS can be found regularly in motor vehicles as well as in airplane brakes.