The National Science Foundation in the U.S. recently published a report about how much the American public knows about basic science concepts. Want to know how you stack up against the people who responded? Take the quiz!
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Correct!Wrong!Really, really quite hot – about 6000 degrees.
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Correct!Wrong!
It's true! All the continents used to be lumped together in a landmass called Pangaea. But they're always moving, even today.
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Correct!Wrong!
Humans have known this for a pretty long time now. We're really hoping the 24% of people who got this wrong misread the question.
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Correct!Wrong!
Radioactivity comes from atoms that are not stable and so decay into smaller atoms. And it occurs naturally (did you know bananas are radioactive?).
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Correct!Wrong!
Electrons are fundamental particles and make up atoms (along with protons and neutrons), so of course they're smaller.
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Correct!Wrong!
Lasers are all about light, not sound.
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Correct!Wrong!
Ok, so some will quibble with the language used, but this question was designed to reveal whether you know about the Big Bang or not. (Perhaps the language is why 61% of people asked by the NSF chose "False".)
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Correct!Wrong!
Only men have a Y chromosome (women have two X's, men have an X and a Y) so only they can determine whether the baby gets a Y, making it male.
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Correct!Wrong!
Nope, just bacteria. Which is why antibiotics are no use against the common cold, which is caused by a virus.
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Correct!Wrong!
This is natural selection.
Are You Better Than The Average American At Science?
On average, 61% of Americans were able to answer these questions. For example, 84% were able to answer the question about the Earth's core, while only 39% were able to answer the question about the big bang. Maybe you're having a bad day? Come back later and try again, we won't tell anyone.
Congratulations, you're smarter than most! On average, 61% of Americans were able to answer these questions. For example, 84% were able to answer the question about the Earth's core, while only 39% were able to answer the question about the big bang. Here, have a gold star.
Well done! On average, 61% of Americans were able to answer these questions. For example, 84% were able to answer the question about the Earth's core, while only 39% were able to answer the question about the big bang. You're doing just fine.
