Question 1: Why is the city of Mecca significant in Islam?
Question 2: Which country has the longest coastline in the world?
Canada has the world's longest coastline, stretching over 243,000 kilometers (151,000 miles). This is due to its numerous islands, inlets, and bays along both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans as well as the Arctic. Canada's coastline is longer than Indonesia's, even though Indonesia is made up of over 17,000 islands.
Question 3: Who is credited with the discovery of penicillin?
Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 when he noticed that a mold that had accidentally contaminated a culture plate was preventing the growth of bacteria. This serendipitous discovery revolutionized medicine and has saved countless lives.
Question 4: When did the first episode of the TV show "Friends" air?
The pilot episode of the popular sitcom "Friends" aired on September 22, 1994 on NBC. The show went on to run for 10 seasons, ending in 2004, and became one of the most successful and beloved TV series of all time.
Question 5: When startled, which of these animals is known to sometimes shed its tail as a defense mechanism?
The green iguana has a long, whip-like tail that can break off if grabbed by a predator. This is known as autotomy and allows the iguana to escape while the tail keeps wiggling, distracting the predator. The iguana can then regrow its tail over time.
Question 6: Which scientist is credited with the invention of the telephone?
Alexander Graham Bell, a Scottish-born scientist, inventor, and engineer, is credited with inventing and patenting the first practical telephone in 1876. His groundbreaking work laid the foundation for modern telecommunication systems.
Question 7: What is the square root of 169?
The square root of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the number. The square root of 169 is 13 because 13 x 13 = 169.
Question 8: Why is Leonardo da Vinci's painting, the Mona Lisa, considered so significant?
The Mona Lisa is considered a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance. Da Vinci's pioneering techniques, like sfumato (blurring outlines) and his innovative ways of depicting perspective and depth were hugely influential on subsequent Renaissance artists and the art world as a whole.
Question 9: When warm, moist air rises and cools to its dew point, which weather phenomenon is likely to occur?
When warm, moist air rises and cools to its dew point, water vapor condenses into liquid water droplets, which form clouds. This process is essential for cloud formation and plays a crucial role in the Earth's water cycle.
Question 10: Which of these is not one of the fundamental forces of nature?
Centrifugal force is not a fundamental force of nature, but rather an apparent force that arises in rotating reference frames. The four fundamental forces are gravitational, electromagnetic, strong nuclear, and weak nuclear forces. These forces govern the interactions between particles and underlie the structure and behavior of all matter in the universe.
Mecca is the holiest city in Islam because it is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. It is also the location of the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, which all Muslims are required to face when praying. Every able Muslim is obliged to make a pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca at least once in their lifetime if they can afford it.