Question 1: Who was the first person to step foot on the Moon?
Question 2: Which band released the album "Nevermind" in 1991?
Nevermind was Nirvana's second studio album. Released in September 1991, it featured their hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time.
Question 3: If the pH of a solution is 7, what does that indicate about its acidity/alkalinity?
A pH of 7 is considered neutral on the pH scale. A pH below 7 indicates acidity, while a pH above 7 indicates alkalinity. Pure water has a pH very close to 7.
Question 4: Which famous physicist won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921?
Albert Einstein won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his contributions to theoretical physics, particularly his explanation of the photoelectric effect. Interestingly, he did not win for his more famous theory of relativity.
Question 5: In what year did construction of the Great Wall of China begin?
While the most well-known sections of the Great Wall were built during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), construction first began during the Spring and Autumn period in the 7th century BC by the state of Chu. The Great Wall was built, rebuilt and maintained over many centuries and dynasties to protect China's northern borders.
Question 6: Why are there no active volcanoes on Mars today?
Mars was once volcanically active, with towering volcanoes like Olympus Mons. However, as the planet's interior cooled over billions of years, volcanic and tectonic activity gradually came to a halt. The lack of active plate tectonics means there are no longer forces to drive magma to the surface on Mars today.
Question 7: How many Academy Awards did the movie Titanic (1997) win?
Titanic won 11 Oscars, tying the record held by Ben-Hur (1959) and later matched by The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). Titanic's Oscars included Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Song.
Question 8: Why do cicadas spend many years underground before emerging all at once?
By emerging simultaneously in huge numbers after 13 or 17 years underground, cicadas overwhelm predators, ensuring that enough survive to mate and lay eggs for the next generation. This strategy is known as "predator satiation."
Question 9: In what year was the first modern Olympic Games held?
The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece in 1896. They were the first Olympic Games held since the ancient Olympic Games, which dated back to 776 BC. The 1896 Olympics had 241 participants from 14 nations, competing in 43 events.
Question 10: What branch of philosophy is primarily concerned with the nature of being and existence?
Ontology is the philosophical study of the nature of being, becoming, existence, or reality. It deals with questions concerning what entities exist and how they can be grouped and related within a hierarchy.
Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the Moon on July 20, 1969, as part of the Apollo 11 mission. His famous words upon stepping on the lunar surface were: "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."