General Knowledge 85

Question 1

Whose law states that the force needed to extend a spring by some distance is proportional to that distance?

Answer 1

Hooke’s law

Hooke’s law describes the linear relationship between force and extension in springs.

Question 2

What word in geology is formed from the Greek for ‘mountain’ and ‘origin’?

Answer 2

Orogeny

Orogeny refers to the process of mountain formation.

Question 3

What has the chemical formula H2O2?

Answer 3

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used as a disinfectant.

Question 4

Who was the decibel named after?

Answer 4

Alexander Graham Bell

The decibel is a logarithmic unit used to measure sound intensity.

Question 5

What is the only rock that floats in water?

Answer 5

Pumice

Pumice is a volcanic rock that can float due to its porous structure.

Question 6

What word in mathematics is Latin for pebble?

Answer 6

Calculus

The term calculus originally referred to small stones used for counting.

Question 7

What type of number has a real and imaginary part?

Answer 7

Complex number

Complex numbers are expressed in the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers.

Question 8

What elementary particle can be up, down, strange, charm, bottom, and top?

Answer 8

A quark

Quarks are fundamental constituents of matter and combine to form protons and neutrons.

Question 9

What is the chemical symbol for tungsten?

Answer 9

W

Tungsten is known for its high melting point and density.

Question 10

What is a highly magnetized, rotating neutron star that emits a beam of electromagnetic radiation?

Answer 10

A pulsar

Pulsars are observed as regular pulses of radiation due to their rotation.

Question 11

What type of tree is often found in churchyards?

Answer 11

The Yew

Yew trees are commonly associated with cemeteries and churchyards.

Question 12

The fastest fish is the sailfish, what is the slowest?

Answer 12

Seahorse

Seahorses are known for their slow swimming ability.

Question 13

Ribbon, Harp, Elephant and Leopard are all types of what animal?

Answer 13

Seal

These are various species of seals.

Question 14

What’s the most common collective noun for a group of owls?

Answer 14

Parliament

A group of owls is referred to as a parliament.

Question 15

What plant has flowers but no leaves?

Answer 15

Cactus

Cacti can produce flowers while having minimal or no leaves.

Question 16

Which physiologist first documented the concept of classical conditioning in his experiments with dogs?

Answer 16

Ivan Pavlov

Pavlov’s experiments demonstrated the principles of classical conditioning.

Question 17

True or False: Most fish can swim backwards?

Answer 17

FALSE

Most fish are not capable of swimming backwards effectively.

Question 18

The silkworm eats the leaves of which tree?

Answer 18

Mulberry

Mulberry trees are the primary food source for silkworms.

Question 19

What is the common name for the plant Toxicodendron radicans?

Answer 19

Poison Ivy

Poison ivy is known for causing skin irritation upon contact.

Question 20

Old Man’s Beard and Traveller’s Joy are names for a variety of which flower?

Answer 20

Clematis

Clematis is a flowering plant known for its climbing ability.

Question 21

During which month of the year is Thanksgiving?

Answer 21

November

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States.

Question 22

Name the second most populated state in America?

Answer 22

Texas

Texas follows California in population size.

Question 23

How many stripes are there in the American flag?

Answer 23

13

The 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies.

Question 24

The third largest city in Illinois shares its name with a famous TV detective, what is it?

Answer 24

Rockford

Rockford is known for its connection to the TV show Rockford Files.

Question 25

In which New York **borough** is John F. Kennedy International Airport?

Answer 25

Queens ## Footnote JFK Airport is located in the borough of Queens.

Question 26

What day is celebrated on the last **Monday in May**?

Answer 26

Memorial Day ## Footnote Memorial Day honors military personnel who died in service.

Question 27

Which well known U.S. **brand name** is associated with motor homes?

Answer 27

Winnebago ## Footnote Winnebago is a leading manufacturer of recreational vehicles.

Question 28

Which famous **actor's father** plays Arthur Spooner in the King Of Queens?

Answer 28

Ben Stiller ## Footnote Ben Stiller's father, Jerry Stiller, played Arthur Spooner.

Question 29

What is the **state capital** of Michigan?

Answer 29

Lansing ## Footnote Lansing is the capital city of Michigan.

Question 30

Which former U.S. **President** has painted portraits of world leaders, including Vladimir Putin and Tony Blair?

Answer 30

George W. Bush ## Footnote Bush took up painting after his presidency, focusing on portraits.