Q 01/05

Which former Beatle received a rhodium-plated disc from Guinness in 1979 as history's best-selling songwriter?

A) Paul McCartney

B) John Lennon

C) George Harrison

D) Ringo Starr

Answer · why

A) Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney was handed rhodium because ordinary record-industry award discs no longer matched his sales. The metal was picked as something rarer th...

Q 02/05

Rhodium takes its name from the Greek word for which flower, after the colour of its dissolved salts?

A) Violet

B) Iris

C) Rose

D) Lily

Answer · why

C) Rose

Rose is 'rhodon' in Greek, and the name suited the pinkish-red crystals the element's discoverer coaxed out of platinum ore. The pure metal has no suc...

Q 03/05

Thieves hunting rhodium most often saw the catalytic converters off which hybrid car, a pioneer of its kind?

A) Honda Insight

B) Chevrolet Volt

C) Ford Fusion

D) Toyota Prius

Answer · why

D) Toyota Prius

Toyota Prius converters carry extra precious metal because a hybrid's engine runs less often and its exhaust stays cooler. More catalyst is needed to ...

Q 04/05

Which country mines about three-quarters of the world's rhodium, mostly from its vast Bushveld Complex?

A) Australia

B) South Africa

C) United States

D) Zimbabwe

Answer · why

B) South Africa

South Africa holds about 90% of the world's known reserves of platinum-family metals, packed into two rock layers that miners call reefs.

Q 05/05

Jewellers routinely coat which metal, popular for engagement rings, with a thin layer of rhodium that slowly wears away?

A) White gold

B) Titanium

C) Tungsten carbide

D) Stainless steel

Answer · why

A) White gold

White gold is naturally rather dull, so the rhodium supplies the bright shine buyers expect, a match for platinum. Some higher-quality alloys keep the...