A few bright ideas.
Tools and inventions, without the myth that one person made everything.
Ten questions, with the answers explained. Try them in your head, then open each answer when you're ready.
Play this quiz →QUESTION 1 / 10
Which instrument is used to view very small objects in detail?
- Barometer
- Microscope
- Sextant
- Periscope
Show answer & explanation+
Microscope
A microscope magnifies objects too small to see clearly with the unaided eye.
QUESTION 2 / 10
Which device converts sound waves into an electrical signal?
- Battery
- Microphone
- Projector
- Loudspeaker
Show answer & explanation+
Microphone
A microphone converts sound into an electrical signal; a loudspeaker does the reverse.
QUESTION 3 / 10
Which device converts electrical energy into rotational motion?
- Thermometer
- Electric motor
- Prism
- Solar cell
Show answer & explanation+
Electric motor
An electric motor uses electromagnetic forces to produce motion.
QUESTION 4 / 10
Which device stores energy chemically and supplies electricity?
- Compass
- Battery
- Pulley
- Lens
Show answer & explanation+
Battery
A battery uses chemical reactions to provide electrical energy.
QUESTION 5 / 10
What does a thermostat regulate?
- Longitude
- Sound pitch
- Temperature
- Magnetic north
Show answer & explanation+
Temperature
A thermostat controls heating or cooling to maintain a target temperature.
QUESTION 6 / 10
What is a pulley primarily used to help do?
- Measure acidity
- Filter light
- Store digital text
- Lift or redirect a load
Show answer & explanation+
Lift or redirect a load
A pulley uses a grooved wheel and a rope or cable to redirect force or help lift loads.
QUESTION 7 / 10
What does a compass needle align with?
- The nearest mountain
- A magnetic field
- Ocean salinity
- Air pressure
Show answer & explanation+
A magnetic field
A magnetic compass aligns with the local magnetic field, usually Earth's.
QUESTION 8 / 10
What is a magnifying glass's main optical component?
- A flat mirror
- An opaque screen
- A convex lens
- A prism only
Show answer & explanation+
A convex lens
A convex lens can make nearby objects appear larger when used at the right distance.
QUESTION 9 / 10
What does a solar photovoltaic cell convert into electricity?
- Light
- Wind pressure
- Liquid fuel
- Sound
Show answer & explanation+
Light
Photovoltaic cells convert light energy directly into electrical energy.
QUESTION 10 / 10
What does a barcode scanner read?
- The package's smell
- A spoken product name
- A coded pattern
- The item's weight alone
Show answer & explanation+
A coded pattern
A scanner reads an encoded visual pattern and turns it into data.