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Written by Elvina Lee

Scientists are on the lookout for answers, from the backyard to outer space! This week’s quiz involves a range of intriguing discoveries. How many of them have you heard of?

 

Results

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#1. Which of the following is nature’s toughest fibre?

Limpet teeth overtook spider silk as the toughest naturally occurring fibre in 2015. Limpets are a type of marine snail. They spend most of their life looking for food by dragging their teeth along rocks in shallow ocean waters. With so much grinding, these teeth need to be super tough!

#2. What is the average number of tastebuds on an adult’s tongue?

5000. Adults commonly have between 2000 and 8000 tastebuds on their tongue.

#3. Which type of insect has a species named after the President of the United States, Donald Trump?

In 2017, a moth with yellow scales on its head was named Neopalpa donaldtrumpi, after Donald Trump.

#4. How many elements are there on the periodic table?

118. As at February 2019, there are 118 elements in the periodic table.

#5. What was the last planet Voyager 2 flew by before it set off for the unknown reaches of interstellar space?

Neptune. Launched in 1977, Voyager 2 has flown past all four planets listed. It is now on an extended journey in interstellar space.

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5 responses

  1. Graham Mitchell Avatar
    Graham Mitchell

    Why don’t you give answers to the quiz. I have clicked was I right and nothing happens.

  2. David Avatar
    David

    Hi Graham,
    I’m sorry the quiz isn’t working for you.

    The correct answers are:
    Limpet teeth overtook spider silk as the toughest naturally occurring fibre in 2015. Limpets are a type of marine snail. They spend most of their life looking for food by dragging their teeth along rocks in shallow ocean waters. With so much grinding, these teeth need to be super tough!
    5000. Adults commonly have between 2000 and 8000 tastebuds on their tongue.
    In 2017, a moth with yellow scales on its head was named Neopalpa donaldtrumpi, after Donald Trump.
    118. As at February 2019, there are 118 elements in the periodic table.
    Neptune. Launched in 1977, Voyager 2 has flown past all four planets listed. It is now on an extended journey in interstellar space.

    Hope this helps,

  3. Luca Avatar
    Luca

    Ha easy

  4. Greg Avatar
    Greg

    I’ve got them all right now, hit rate wasn’t so good before 🙂 I have never heard about limpet teeth and had no idea the Trumpster was a scientist 🙂
    Davidium? Must be a case of mistaken identity, I thought you were a hard shiny metal:)

  5. Luca Avatar
    Luca

    So cool I love it

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