Q 01/05

Which precious gemstone is a variety of beryl, the mineral that gave beryllium its name?

A) Ruby

B) Emerald

C) Sapphire

D) Diamond

Answer · why

B) Emerald

Emerald is beryl tinted by traces of chromium or vanadium. Pure beryl, the mineral beryllium is extracted from, has no colour at all.

Q 02/05

The Radium Girls were factory workers poisoned by the glowing paint they applied to which products?

A) Watch dials

B) Road signs

C) Dinner plates

D) Light bulbs

Answer · why

A) Watch dials

Watch dials needed such fine brushwork that the women were told to point the bristles with their lips, swallowing a little radium with every stroke.

Q 03/05

Magnesium sulfate, a popular bath soak, is sold as a salt named after which English spa town?

A) Harrogate

B) Cheltenham

C) Epsom

D) Buxton

Answer · why

C) Epsom

Epsom, in Surrey, had a spring on its common that drew 17th-century visitors seeking cures. The bitter salt left behind when the water was boiled took...

Q 04/05

The James Webb Space Telescope's beryllium mirrors are coated in a thin film of which metal?

A) Platinum

B) Titanium

C) Nickel

D) Gold

Answer · why

D) Gold

Gold reflects infrared light superbly. Beryllium sits beneath it because the metal is light, exceptionally stiff and keeps its shape in the extreme co...

Q 05/05

Marie Curie's radium-contaminated papers are stored in boxes lined with which metal?

A) Lead

B) Copper

C) Zinc

D) Tin

Answer · why

A) Lead

Lead blocks the radiation, and anyone who wants to consult the papers must wear protective clothing. Even her cookbooks are radioactive.