A Higgs Boson, as envisaged by <a href="http://www.particlezoo.net
“>The Particle Zoo
By Margaret Harris
Congratulations to Alexandra Gade of the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University for winning Physics World’s 2008 Quiz of the year, which took a lighthearted look at physics events ranging from an Indian moon mission to the discovery that some granite countertops “might heat your cheerios a little” due to their low-level radioactivity.
In addition to the everlasting glory of victory, Dr Gade will also receive a cheque for £50, which works out at around $75 at today’s exchange rate. It’s a pity about the declining pound, but sadly there’s nothing we can do about it.
If your entry didn’t win this year, better luck in 2009 – and here are the answers in case you’d like to check your memory skills.
A. LEDs
B. The still-elusive (yet strangely cute as a stuffed toy) Higgs boson
C. Kobe Bryant
D. 19
1. powering hybrid cars with engine heat
2. Technically, the project at risk was the E-MERLIN network, but we would have accepted Jodrell Bank instead
3. Plutoids — a sad demotion for the non-planet discovered by astronomer (and my fellow native Kansan) Clyde Tombaugh
4. Drilling holes in it
5. Chandrayaan means “moon vehicle.”
6. B, 54 minutes
7. C, 89 microseconds
8. C, Nine days
9. B, pink elephants
10. A, Rolf-Dieter Heuer
11. E, Arthur C Clarke
12. B, Bill Foster
13. D, Douglas Osheroff
14. A, Freeman Dyson
15. C, Warren Buffett
16. B, the toilet
17. A, heterogeneity in showering
18. A, granite countertops
19. C, Stephen Hawking. Along with the slogan “He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy.” No, we don’t know why either.
20. C, Dounreay nuclear power station – which turns 50 this year, not last year.
