101 Fascinating Science Trivia Questions and Answers

Science shapes our understanding of the universe, offering explanations from the tiniest atom to the farthest galaxy. Yet while textbooks dive deep, sometimes all you need is a single spark—a curious question or a surprising fact—to ignite a lifelong love of science.

This comprehensive collection of 101 science trivia questions and answers covers themes as varied as outer space, earth science, biology, chemistry, nature, and physics. With questions ranging from easy to challenging, it’s perfect for curious kids, adults, families, or anyone seeking a brain-boosting activity. Grab a friend, tally your score, and see who takes top honors as the supreme science whiz!

How to Play Science Trivia

• Pick a host to read out the questions or take turns.
• Keep track of points for each correct answer.
• Challenge yourself: Try to answer without help before peeking at the answer!
• Mix it up: Play solo or as teams for added fun.

General Science Trivia

• At what temperature are Celsius and Fahrenheit equal?
  Answer: -40 degrees.
• Roughly how long does it take for the sun’s light to reach Earth?
  Answer: 8 minutes.
• What are the four states of matter?
  Answer: Solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.
• What is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature?
  Answer: Mercury.
• What does a Geiger counter measure?
  Answer: Radiation.
• What’s the largest desert on Earth?
  Answer: Antarctica.
• Who was the first human to travel into space?
  Answer: Yuri Gagarin.
• Bronze is an alloy made of which two elements?
  Answer: Copper and tin.
• What is the tallest type of grass?
  Answer: Bamboo.
• How many bones do sharks have?
  Answer: Zero (their skeleton is made of cartilage).

Earth and Nature Science Trivia

• What is the largest living structure on Earth?
  Answer: The Great Barrier Reef.
• What is the world’s tallest tree species?
  Answer: Giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum).
• Which islands studied by Charles Darwin helped develop his theory of evolution by natural selection?
  Answer: Galápagos Islands.
• What phenomenon are igneous rocks mainly associated with?
  Answer: Volcanoes.
• What is the process called when the weathered material moves due to gravity?
  Answer: Erosion.
• What is the quality of an object that allows it to float on water?
  Answer: Buoyancy.
• What happens when a gas turns into a liquid?
  Answer: Condensation.
• How long is an eon?
  Answer: A billion years.
• Which layer protects Earth from harmful solar radiation?
  Answer: The ozone layer (stratosphere).
• What is the deepest point in the world’s oceans?
  Answer: The Mariana Trench.

Space and Astronomy Trivia

• What was the first satellite to enter space?
  Answer: Sputnik.
• What planet is known as the ‘Red Planet’?
  Answer: Mars.
• How many planets are in our Solar System?
  Answer: Eight.
• Who was the first person to walk on the moon?
  Answer: Neil Armstrong.
• Which planet is famous for its beautiful rings?
  Answer: Saturn.
• What is the brightest object in the night sky after the Moon?
  Answer: Venus.
• What is the hottest planet in our solar system?
  Answer: Venus.
• What do we call a system of millions or billions of stars, together with gas and dust, held together by gravity?
  Answer: A galaxy.
• What celestial event occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun?
  Answer: Solar eclipse.
• How many stars are in the Milky Way galaxy?
  Answer: About 100–400 billion (approximate range).

Human Body and Health Trivia

• What is the largest organ in the human body?
  Answer: The skin.
• How many bones are in the adult human body?
  Answer: 206.
• What is the study of earthquakes called?
  Answer: Seismology.
• What is the scientific term for the collarbone?
  Answer: Clavicle.
• Which blood cells help fight infection?
  Answer: White blood cells (leukocytes).
• What part of the human brain controls balance and coordination?
  Answer: Cerebellum.
• Which vitamin do we get from sunlight?
  Answer: Vitamin D.
• How many chambers does the human heart have?
  Answer: Four.
• What is the name of the substance that gives skin and hair its color?
  Answer: Melanin.
• What is the smallest bone in the human body?
  Answer: The stapes (middle ear).

Physics and Chemistry Trivia

• What is the scientific word for a push or pull?
  Answer: Force.
• What is the splitting of atomic nuclei called?
  Answer: Nuclear fission.
• What is the chemical equation for water?
  Answer: H₂O.
• Which element is represented by the symbol Fe?
  Answer: Iron.
• Which gas is most abundant in the Earth’s atmosphere?
  Answer: Nitrogen.
• What is the freezing point of water in Fahrenheit?
  Answer: 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Who is credited with the invention of the periodic table?
  Answer: Dmitri Mendeleev.
• What is the main gas humans exhale?
  Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
• What is the smallest unit of matter?
  Answer: Atom.
• What is the most reactive group of elements on the periodic table?
  Answer: Alkali metals.

Animal and Plant Trivia

• Which animal is known to have the most powerful bite in the animal kingdom?
  Answer: Saltwater crocodile.
• How many hearts does an octopus have?
  Answer: Three.
• What is the process by which plants make their food?
  Answer: Photosynthesis.
• What is the movement of pollen from a plant’s male part to its female part called?
  Answer: Pollination.
• Which mammal lays eggs?
  Answer: The platypus (also echidna).
• What is the fastest land animal?
  Answer: Cheetah.
• Which is the only bird that can fly backward?
  Answer: Hummingbird.
• How many bones do adult sharks have?
  Answer: None (their skeletons are cartilaginous).
• Which large mammal has the longest gestation period?
  Answer: Elephant (up to about 22 months).
• What is the world’s tallest grass?
  Answer: Bamboo.

Science Trivia for Kids

• How many planets are in our solar system?
  Answer: Eight.
• Which ocean is off the California coast?
  Answer: The Pacific Ocean.
• What is the hardest natural substance on Earth?
  Answer: Diamond.
• What is the shape of human DNA called?
  Answer: Double helix.
• What kind of tree do prunes come from?
  Answer: Plum tree.
• What is the imaginary line called that connects the North and South Pole?
  Answer: Prime Meridian.
• Which state was the 50th to join the union?
  Answer: Hawaii.
• How many Great Lakes are there?
  Answer: Five.
• What is the Gulf located to the south of Florida?
  Answer: The Gulf of Mexico.
• What is the largest living thing on Earth?
  Answer: Bristlecone Pine (oldest); Great Barrier Reef (largest structure).

Fun and Unusual Science Facts

• Antarctica is the largest desert in the world, not the Sahara—because it’s classified by how little precipitation it gets.
• A blue whale’s tongue can weigh as much as an adult elephant—up to 8,000 pounds.
• Octopuses have three hearts. Two pump blood past the gills, and one pumps it to the rest of the body.
• The oldest living land animal is a tortoise named Jonathan, born in 1832.
• Bats are mammals—and they are the only mammals capable of true flight.
• Potatoes were the first vegetable grown in space, on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1995.
• Wombats have cube-shaped poop, which helps mark their territory!
• Sloths can hold their breath for up to 40 minutes, beating dolphins, which manage 10 minutes.
• The Eiffel Tower grows taller by up to 6 inches in the summer due to thermal expansion of the metal.
• The Scottish language has 421 words for snow.

Table: Quick Science Facts

Frequently Asked Science Trivia Questions (FAQs)

Q: Are these science trivia questions suitable for kids and adults?

A: Yes! This trivia list is curated to cover a range of difficulties, with plenty of questions for both younger learners and adults alike.

Q: What is the best way to use these trivia questions?

A: Use them for classroom activities, family game nights, team-building sessions, or just to challenge family and friends for fun!

Q: How can science trivia inspire learning?

A: Trivia sparks curiosity and engagement, making learners eager to explore topics in more depth after encountering fun and unexpected facts.

Q: Can I share these trivia questions in a quiz or at an event?

A: Absolutely—sharing science trivia is a great way to break the ice and encourage collaborative learning.

Q: Where can I find more trivia questions?

A: Browse online resources, science magazines, or educational websites for hundreds more mind-bending science questions and fun facts.

More Science Fun: Challenge Yourself Further

• Build a classroom or family science trivia challenge using question cards from this list.
• Try them as a quick quiz at parties, scout meetings, or science club.
• Encourage deeper learning by researching the “why?” behind each answer.
• Use trivia to start conversations about new discoveries or scientific news.

Science is a never-ending journey—and every new fact you learn opens the door to greater understanding of the world around you. Happy quizzing!

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Medha DebCommerce Editor

 

Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.

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