# Don't Stump the Layman: Science Addition **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 27, 2008, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129 "2008-04-27T21:03:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/121 "2008-04-29T19:06:13Z")
1. Up, Down, Strange, Color? (top, and bottom?) Yes 2. Ethanol? Yes 3. Xena? (please don’t be Sedna) Yes 4. Who is Hubble? No, Doppler 5. A believe that’s “What is a Higgs Boson?”, Alex. I need a ruling. I was looking for ‘Black Hole’. You’re not wrong, but I’m not sure a Higgs Boson counts as a phenomenon. Now that I have a better feel for the right difficulty level I’ll be back with much more. Asked:5 Right: 4? Wrong: 1? Total: 4? ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/122 "2008-04-29T19:16:07Z")
[Quote=Wikipedia] It is the only Standard Model particle not yet observed, but would help explain how otherwise massless elementary particles still manage to construct mass in matter. [/QUOTE] A particle is an object, not an occurrence, but it’s discovery would explain an occurance which I’m sure is what you meant. Or maybe I’m taking this thing WAY too seriously and I’ll just take my point. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/123 "2008-04-29T19:23:35Z")
[QUOTE=Sitnam] A particle is an object, not an occurrence, but it’s discovery would explain an occurance which I’m sure is what you meant. Or maybe I’m taking this thing WAY too seriously and I’ll just take my point. [/QUOTE] Ha, I think it would be okay to take the point… I honestly was so excited that I knew the answer, I skimmed the actual question, and didn’t quite pickup on the word _phenomenon_ in the way you were looking for. I know of the controversy about them possible creating a black hole that could devour the earth (which we know isn’t likely to happen at all), and I know they are looking to create microscopic, fleeting black holes too. Groovy? ETA: Also, a black hole is an object as well… that produces the phenomenon of, what exactly? An event horizon? A singularity… both? More? ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/124 "2008-04-29T19:42:04Z")
[QUOTE=cmyk] 7) I believe Messier was an 18th century astronomer, and he cataloged several “fuzzy” objects in the sky, which were later uncovered to be nebulas and galaxies (such as M31, the Andromeda Galaxy). [/quote] Yes! The way to the astronomy fame at the time was to sight a comet, so he made his name by cataloging objects typically mistaken for comets. +1 > [@cmyk](#): > > 1. That’s a binary, I think. I’m going to guess “blink”? Yes to the binary, but no on the name. Algol, from the Arabic _ra’s al-ghūl_ represents the eye of the gorgon Medusa and means “head of the demon” or head of the ghoul." Algol is usually translated as “the demon” or “the ghoul.” -1 > [@cmyk](#): > > 1. Because the two stars revolve around each other and when occluded appear dimmer? Correct! Algol is an eclipsing binary variable. +1 Asked: 9 Right: 6 Wrong: 3 Total: 3 ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/125 "2008-04-29T19:49:19Z")
[QUOTE=pravnik] Yes to the binary, but no on the name. Algol, from the Arabic _ra’s al-ghūl_ represents the eye of the gorgon Medusa and means “head of the demon” or head of the ghoul." Algol is usually translated as “the demon” or “the ghoul.” -1 [/QUOTE] :smack: [Ra’s al Ghul!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ra%27s_al_Ghul) I shoulda known. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/126 "2008-04-29T19:59:20Z")
[QUOTE=cmyk] :smack: [Ra’s al Ghul!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ra%27s_al_Ghul) I shoulda known. [/QUOTE] Dang it, I almost threw Batman in there as a hint! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/127 "2008-04-29T22:55:31Z")
[QUOTE=cmyk] 6) I very vaguely only know the term. Don’t know. 1. Isn’t that the decay/emissions of a black hole? 2. Okay, this is a mind scraper, but I think I remember the very basics. When Atoms are cooled very low, they start to exhibit quantum effects as a whole? Or on a macro scale? 3. I believe it was a supernova within our own galactic back yard. 4. Its on the other side of our orbit, for the most part? [/QUOTE] 1. Cherenkov radiation is caused when a charged particle passes through a medium faster than the speed of light in that medium - somewhat analogous to a sonic boom. -1 2. Correct. +1 3. Yes. The atoms merge together and become indistinguishable from each other. +1 4. Correct. SN 185 is currently believed to be the first recorded supernova. +1 5. Eris is very far away and only slightly larger than Pluto. Also, its orbit is tilted 44 degrees from Earth’s, placing it in a part of the sky that isn’t usually searched when looking for solar system objects. -1 Asked: 10 Right: 5 Wrong: 5 Total: 0 ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/128 "2008-04-30T05:41:41Z")
[QUOTE=Cardinal] 1. What is the heaviest naturally occurring element? 1. Uranium? Good! [/QUOTE] Looks like we might have to mark this one [wrong](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=465922) now! :eek: 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Il_Palazzo)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/129 "2008-04-30T16:53:02Z")
1. Give 2 of Newton’s three laws of motion. 2. Give 2 of Kepler’s three laws of planetary motion. 3. Besides iron and carbon, what other element is a major component in stainless steel? 4. State whether each of the following is acidic or basic: NaOH, H2SO4, NaHCO3. 5. A substance is said to have specific gravity of 1.3. What is it’s density? (Give your answer in the units of your choosing.) 6. How many of Jupiter’s moons were discovered by Galileo? 7. Name 3 of Jupiter’s Galilean moons. Questions asked: 14 Right: +10 Wrong: -4 Total: +6 ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/130 "2008-04-30T17:02:22Z")
1. Is there any chance our Sun will ever become a black hole? Why or why not? 2. Is there anything on Earth hotter than the surface of the Sun? If so, what is it? 3. What is Olbers’ paradox? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/131 "2008-04-30T20:31:06Z")
[QUOTE=Lord Il Palazzo] 15) Give 2 of Newton’s three laws of motion. 16) Give 2 of Kepler’s three laws of planetary motion. 17) Besides iron and carbon, what other element is a major component in stainless steel? 18) State whether each of the following is acidic or basic: NaOH, H2SO4, NaHCO3. 19) A substance is said to have specific gravity of 1.3. What is it’s density? (Give your answer in the units of your choosing.) 20) How many of Jupiter’s moons were discovered by Galileo? 21) Name 3 of Jupiter’s Galilean moons. Questions asked: 14 Right: +10 Wrong: -4 Total: +6 [/QUOTE] Sorry, had a ton of work to tend to! 1. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction; What’s in motion, tends to stay in motion? 2. All orbits are elliptical; and planets will sweep equal areas in equal time, even in an eccentric orbit? (thank god you only said two on this, cuz I really can’t remember the last one!) 3. I think (think) it’s chromium? 4. Acidic? (wait, are you looking for answers on all three? or are they all of the same group?) 5. Ouch, I’m not sure how to calculate that. 6. 1. 7. Ganymede, Callisto, Io, and Europa (attempt to landings there). ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/132 "2008-04-30T20:36:32Z")
[QUOTE=pravnik] 10. Is there any chance our Sun will ever become a black hole? Why or why not? 11. Is there anything on Earth hotter than the surface of the Sun? If so, what is it? 12. What is Olbers’ paradox? [/QUOTE] 1. No… its mass is too low. Need another 4 or 5 solar masses, I believe? 2. Sure, how 'bout a plasma (ionized gas)? Or even nuclear fission, such as in reactors and bombs. 3. That’s where if the is an infinite, and randomly distributed amount of stars in the universe, the night sky would glow, because wherever we looked, we’d be looking at a star. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/133 "2008-04-30T20:57:46Z")
[QUOTE=cmyk] 10) No… its mass is too low. Need another 4 or 5 solar masses, I believe? [/quote] Correct. Its mass is too low to ever become a black hole. +1 > [@cmyk](#): > > 1. Sure, how 'bout a plasma (ionized gas)? Or even nuclear fission, such as in reactors and bombs. I was looking for a natural phenmomenon (which I wasn’t entirely clear about), but it doesn’t matter, “plasma” is acceptable. I was thinking a particular type of natural plasma, five times hotter than the surface of the Sun…lightning! +1 > [@cmyk](#): > > 1. That’s where if the is an infinite, and randomly distributed amount of stars in the universe, the night sky would glow, because wherever we looked, we’d be looking at a star. That’s the one. Either you’re too smart or these are too easy. 🙂 +1 Asked: 12 Right: 9 Wrong: 3 Total: +6 ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/134 "2008-04-30T21:08:26Z")
[QUOTE=pravnik] Correct. Its mass is too low to ever become a black hole. +1 I was looking for a natural phenmomenon (which I wasn’t entirely clear about), but it doesn’t matter, “plasma” is acceptable. I was thinking a particular type of natural plasma, five times hotter than the surface of the Sun…lightning! +1 That’s the one. Either you’re too smart or these are too easy. 🙂 +1 Asked: 12 Right: 9 Wrong: 3 Total: +6 [/QUOTE] Oh, I’m definitely not too smart! I wouldn’t say they’re too easy either, you just got lucky. 😉 Number 2 & 3 did give me pause… but eventually I was able to scrape my gray matter enough to collect the answers. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/135 "2008-04-30T21:38:35Z")
Slightly harder: 1. Name two of the four fundamental forces. 2. What letter of the alphabet represents the theory that could unify the five current superstring theories? 3. What is the Nemesis hypothesis? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/136 "2008-04-30T21:45:20Z")
1. Electomagnetic; Gravity; Strong Nuclear, and Weak Nuclear. 2. M 3. I believe that’s the one in which our sun is really a binary, or something, on a strong eccentric orbit and every zillion years or so, the nemesis star sweeps through and causes extinction events on our planet. Kinda fuzzy, but it’s something like that right? ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/137 "2008-04-30T22:01:36Z")
[QUOTE=cmyk] 13) Electomagnetic; Gravity; Strong Nuclear, and Weak Nuclear. [/quote] Correct. +1 > [@cmyk](#): > > 1. M Yes. +1 > [@cmyk](#): > > 1. I believe that’s the one in which our sun is really a binary, or something, on a strong eccentric orbit and every zillion years or so, the nemesis star sweeps through and causes extinction events on our planet. Kinda fuzzy, but it’s something like that right? Pretty much, yes. Color me impressed. Researchers in the 80’s detemined that mass extinction events seem to be periodic, every 26 million years or so. The Nemesis theory is that these events are caused by a companion star on the outskirts of our solar system, probably a red or brown dwarf. Every 26 million years the Nemesis star passes through the Oort cloud and sends a few million or billion comets into the solar system, some of which slam into Earth and cause mass extinctions. +1 Asked: 15 Right: 12 Wrong: 3 Total: +9 ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/138 "2008-04-30T22:06:30Z")
yay! ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/139 "2008-04-30T22:41:05Z")
1. You are looking towards the center of the Milky Way galaxy. What constellation are you looking at? 2. In astronomy, what is an “asterism?” 3. Only two moons in our solar system have their own atmospheres. Name either. 4. If you could find a bathtub big enough to put it in, which planet would float? 5. What is unusual about the Galle crater on Mars? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129/140 "2008-04-30T23:02:23Z")
[QUOTE=pravnik] 16. You are looking towards the center of the Milky Way galaxy. What constellation are you looking at? 17. In astronomy, what is an “asterism?” 18. Only two moons in our solar system have their own atmospheres. Name either. 19. If you could find a bathtub big enough to put it in, which planet would float? 20. What is unusual about the Galle crater on Mars? [/QUOTE] 1. Wow. Umm, I’m not sure. I’m gonna wild guess here… (thinking along the zodiac) Cancer? 2. An asterism is any arbitrary configuration or group of stars. 3. I think one is Callisto. 4. It’s gotta be one of the gas giants. I’ll just go with Uranus, cuz it’s the one I associate more with the bathroom (also I think it has the lowest mass/density). 😉 5. I don’t know this. Does it hold water/ice? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-stump-the-layman-science-addition/447129.md?page=8)