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The Elements of Astronomy Trivia Quiz

Where do the elements originate? Why, the cosmos of course!

A multiple-choice quiz by random_quasar. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
random_quasar

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
254,128

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
3295

Last 3 plays: Guest 24 (3/10), Upstart3 (8/10), Guest 75 (9/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which element was discovered on the Sun before it was discovered on Earth? Hint

Hydrogen

Uranium

Plutonium

Helium

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which element was named after the first asteroid to be discovered? Hint

Hafnium

Cerium

Nitrogen

Lithium

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which element is named after the moon? Hint

Moonium

Yttrium

Selenium

Lutetium

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which element is named after the seventh planet from the sun? Hint

Iridium

Plutonium

Uranium

Neptunium

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which element shares the same name as the smallest planet in our solar system? Hint

Mercury

Plutonium

Uranium

Krypton

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which element is named after the furthest planet in our solar system (as of 2007)? Hint

Neptunium

Uranium

Neptubium

Plutonium

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which element was named after the asteroid Pallas?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 8 of 10

8. Fusion in the Sun begins with which element? Hint

Protons

Helium

Hydrogen

Carbon

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which element is found only in small quantities in the Earth's crust but in high concentrations in moon rocks? Hint

Yttrium

Niobium

Selenium

Molybdenum

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of these is NOT created in stars through fusion or a supernova? Hint

Uranium

Neutrino

Gold

Hydrogen

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 10 2024 : Guest 24: 3/10
Apr 09 2024 : Upstart3: 8/10
Mar 12 2024 : Guest 75: 9/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which element was discovered on the Sun before it was discovered on Earth?

Answer: Helium

Each element is known to have a signature light spectrum. When astronomers looked at the light spectrum of the Sun, they found a new set of spectral lines that they had never seen before. Helium had not been discovered on Earth yet because it was very unreactive. So, when they found this new element in the Sun, they used the Greek word "helius" which translates to "sun" to name it.

2. Which element was named after the first asteroid to be discovered?

Answer: Cerium

Ceres and the element cerium were discovered around the same time.

3. Which element is named after the moon?

Answer: Selenium

Selenium was named after the Moon (Greek "selene" translates to "moon"), because its properties follow that of tellurium (Latin "Tellus" meaning "Earth").

4. Which element is named after the seventh planet from the sun?

Answer: Uranium

Uranus was discovered in 1781 by William Hershel. The name Uranus was then used to name a new chemical element discovered eight years later.

5. Which element shares the same name as the smallest planet in our solar system?

Answer: Mercury

Mercury is also known as Hermes the messenger god.

6. Which element is named after the furthest planet in our solar system (as of 2007)?

Answer: Neptunium

Neptunium was named after the planet Neptune because of its location on the periodic table. Since neptunium follows uranium in the periodic table, it was named after the planet following Uranus in the solar system (Neptune).

7. Which element was named after the asteroid Pallas?

Answer: Palladium

Palladium was named after the large asteroid Pallas (remember cerium?) and the Greek goddess of wisdom.

8. Fusion in the Sun begins with which element?

Answer: Hydrogen

Two hydrogens fuse into one helium.

9. Which element is found only in small quantities in the Earth's crust but in high concentrations in moon rocks?

Answer: Yttrium

Rocks brought back from the moon by the Apollo astronauts had an unexpectedly high yttrium content. Yttrium is named after the Swedish village Ytterby where it was first identified.

10. Which of these is NOT created in stars through fusion or a supernova?

Answer: Hydrogen

Hydrogen is not created by stars, it is used by them. Uranium and gold are created through supernovae explosions. A neutrino is not an element, it is a particle.

Source: Author random_quasar

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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