Physics and music have long been closely linked but how much do you know about their connections? Find out by taking this fun trivia quiz.
1 At which institution in London did Queen guitarist Brian May study physics? A. King’s College B. University College C. Imperial College D. Queen Mary
2 What instrument is Albert Einstein best known for playing? A. Piano B. Trumpet C. Cello D. Violin
3 Which of these was not a song by German electronic band Kraftwerk? A. Electricity B. Radioactivity C. Uranium D. Transistor
4 US physicist and polymath Douglas Hofstadter once wrote a book that in part examined the work of which composer? A. Bach B. Beethoven C. Berlioz D. Brahms
5 German pop star Lena Meyer-Landrut won the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest with a song that likens her relationship to her lover to which piece of hardware? A. Satellite B. Laser C. Fusion reactor D. Magnet
6 In 2017 hip-hop star, philanthropist and entrepreneur will.i.am met physicists on a tour of which UK university? A. Aberdeen B. Birmingham C. Cardiff D. Durham
7 Which 1970s rock band sang the lyric “I’m a Spaceship Superstar… got a solar-powered laser beam guitar”? A. Slade B. Prism C. Sweet D. Wizzard
Test your knowledge of art, space and science in this trivia quiz
8 Which of these was not a song by British rock band Muse? A. Supermassive Black Holes B. Starlight C. Neutron Star Collision D. Quasar
9 Which of these terms is not used to describe the shape of a concert hall? A. Shoebox B. Vineyard. C. Shell D. Horseshoe
10 Who sang this appallingly stereotypical description of a physicist? “The lasers are in the lab/The old man is dressed in white clothes/Everybody says he’s mad/No one knows the things that he knows”? A. Joni Mitchell B. James Taylor C. Neil Young D.Linda Ronstadt
Stuck for the answers? The solutions are given below.
Offering readers a basic understanding of sound, musical instruments and music equipment, Musical Sound, Instruments and Equipment by Panos Photinos from Southern Oregon University is an ideal book for anyone wanting an introduction to the fundamental properties of sound waves and acoustics. Perfect reading for those budding musicians and sound engineers, it’s free to download until 6 June 2020.
Solutions 1 C 2 D 3 A 4 A 5 A 6 D 7 B 8 D 9 C 10 C
