Answers 15th Nov 2010

15Nov10 #Q1. The first modern sine table was compiled by which ancient Indian astronomer?

A: Aryabhata. Aryabhata's sine table was the first in mathematics: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Āryabhaṭa's_sine_table

Correct answers: @ranganaathan

15Nov10 #Q2. Genetics studies the replication and transmission of genes. Which field is concerned with replication and spread of ideas?

A: Memetics. It was originated by Richard Dawkins (the author of "The God Delusion".) It uses analogies with biological evolution to explain culture and cultural evolution. The crux is that like genes, memes (ideas, thoughts, beliefs etc.) also replicate and spread, and the 'fittest' memes – the ones that provide benefits to people – spread more and survive longer. More on this fascinating science: http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/MEMES.html

15Nov10 #Q3. What is responsible for the formation of the greyish coating on the yolk of a hardboiled egg?

A: The formation of iron sulphide, especially when the eggs are overcooked. More:

http://www.open2.net/healtheducation/home_lifestyle/eggsecrets.html

http://newton.ex.ac.uk/teaching/CDHW/egg/

Correct answers: @tnk13

15Nov10 #Q4. This year we are celebrating the 115th anniversary of the discovery of X-Rays. Who discovered X-Rays?

A: Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895. He was awarded the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901 for his discovery.

Correct answers: @ranganaathan, @ssudhirkumar, @kirankarlmarx

15Nov10 #Q5. (my fav) Which famous fictional AI became the first inductee in the Robot Hall of Fame (fiction), with R2D2 from Star Wars?

A: HAL9000. It is a central character in Arthur Clarke's 2001: A Space Odyssey. It is the computer of the Discovery One spacecraft. Its objective of ensuring the success of the mission at any cost leads to results that interest a wide range of people, from philosophers to scientists, to this day: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HAL_9000#Characterization

The Robot Hall of Fame is an initiative of Carnegie Mellon University, USA. Here's their article on HAL: http://www.robothalloffame.org/hal.html

Scores:

@ranganaathan 20

@ssudhirkumar 10

@kirankarlmarx 10

@tnk13 10