The Nauka Za Mlade website was created in collaboration with the EDUKOS Citizens’ Association, the First Kragujevac Grammar School and teacher Miloš Milosavljević, with the aim of popularizing and promoting science, technology and critical thinking.

NZM / Test your knowledge

Test your knowledge

15 questions across the natural and social sciences at secondary-school level. Answer every question, then check your score and read the explanations.

01Which planet has the longest day?Astronomy

AMercuryBVenusCMarsDJupiter

02Why does ice float on water?Physics

AIt is warmerBIt is less denseCIt contains saltDIt is lighter than air

03If a planet’s orbital semimajor axis around the same star doubles, by what factor does its orbital period grow?Astronomy

A1.4 timesB2 timesCAbout 2.8 timesD4 times

04A 6 Ω and a 3 Ω resistor are connected in parallel across 12 V. What is the total current?Physics

A2 AB3 AC6 AD9 A

05A spectral line emitted at 500 nm is observed at 1000 nm. What is its redshift z?Astronomy

A0.5B1C2D500

06A strong acid solution has pH 2. After a tenfold dilution with water, what is its approximate pH?Chemistry

A1B2C3D12

07What does a catalyst do in a reversible chemical reaction?Chemistry

AShifts equilibrium toward productsBLowers activation energy in both directionsCIncreases the equilibrium constantDIs consumed by the reaction

08During which stage of meiosis do homologous chromosomes exchange DNA segments?Biology

AProphase IBMetaphase IICAnaphase IIDTelophase I

09Why is less energy usually available at higher trophic levels of an ecosystem?Biology

ADigestion destroys energyBOrganisms use energy in metabolism, and not all biomass is eatenCPredators do not respireDPlants do not use sunlight

10Why are winters in western Europe often milder than at similar latitudes in eastern Canada?Geography

AEarth’s tilt acts only on EuropeBAtlantic Ocean influence, currents and prevailing westerliesCCanada is farther from the SunDEurope has more mountains

11Why does an oceanic lithospheric plate often subduct beneath a continental one?Geography

AOceanic lithosphere is generally denserBContinental plates always move fasterCEarth’s rotation pushes oceans downwardDOceanic plates are always thicker

12A study finds an association between late phone use and shorter sleep. Which conclusion is justified?Psychology

APhones definitely cause shorter sleepBShort sleep definitely causes phone useCThere is an association, but causation needs further testingDThe link proves all participants are alike

13In an experiment, students are randomly assigned to two study-method groups. Why is this useful?Psychology

AGuarantees identical resultsBReduces systematic pre-existing differences between groupsCRemoves the need to measure outcomesDProves one method is better

14What role does a digital certificate play when you open an HTTPS website?Technology

ABinds a public key to a site identity that the browser checksBStores the user’s password on the serverCEncrypts every file on the computerDGuarantees that website content is true

15Which sample best supports generalizing a survey result to all students at a school?Sociology

AThe first 200 to click an online surveyBStudents randomly selected from the entire school rosterCStudents from only one classDOnly students interested in the topic