Science Trivia Questions — Biology, Physics & Chemistry
Science rounds reward teams with a dedicated STEM player — but the most common pub quiz science questions don't require a PhD. Biology basics, famous discoveries, periodic table facts, astronomy, and the names behind Nobel Prize breakthroughs are all fair game. These questions cover the science topics that appear most at bar trivia events, from body function to the laws of physics.
25 Science Trivia Questions
- 1.
What is the powerhouse of the cell?
Answer: Mitochondria
- 2.
What is the atomic number of carbon?
Answer: 6
- 3.
Which planet is closest to the Sun?
Answer: Mercury
- 4.
What gas makes up most of Earth's atmosphere?
Answer: Nitrogen (78%)
- 5.
What is the formula for water?
Answer: H₂O
- 6.
Who developed the theory of general relativity?
Answer: Albert Einstein
- 7.
What is the hardest natural substance on Earth?
Answer: Diamond
- 8.
How many chromosomes do humans typically have?
Answer: 46 (23 pairs)
- 9.
What is the speed of sound in dry air at 20°C?
Answer: Approximately 343 m/s (767 mph)
- 10.
Which vitamin is produced when skin is exposed to sunlight?
Answer: Vitamin D
- 11.
What is the most abundant element in the universe?
Answer: Hydrogen
- 12.
In which organ does digestion primarily occur?
Answer: Small intestine
- 13.
What is the chemical symbol for iron?
Answer: Fe
- 14.
How many elements are in the periodic table (as of 2024)?
Answer: 118
- 15.
Which scientist discovered penicillin?
Answer: Alexander Fleming (1928)
- 16.
What is the name of the force that keeps planets in orbit?
Answer: Gravity
- 17.
What is the pH of pure water?
Answer: 7 (neutral)
- 18.
Which blood type is the universal donor?
Answer: O negative (O-)
- 19.
What is the study of fungi called?
Answer: Mycology
- 20.
Who proposed the theory of natural selection?
Answer: Charles Darwin
- 21.
What is the largest organ in the human body?
Answer: Skin
- 22.
What does DNA stand for?
Answer: Deoxyribonucleic Acid
- 23.
How many chambers does the human heart have?
Answer: 4
- 24.
Which planet has the Great Red Spot?
Answer: Jupiter
- 25.
What is the rarest blood type?
Answer: AB negative (AB-)
Practice paid off — now track your results.
Log every game, track your win rate, and watch your science round scores climb. MyTriviaTeam is free forever.
Start tracking your team — it's freeNo credit card required. Takes 30 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What science topics appear most in pub trivia?
- Biology (human body, cells, genetics), astronomy (planets, space firsts), chemistry (elements, periodic table), and famous scientists (Nobel laureates, discovery facts) are the most common. Earth science and physics appear less frequently.
- How technical are science trivia questions at bar trivia?
- Most bar trivia science questions stay at the "high school general science" level. You rarely need deep expertise — knowing that mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell is exactly the kind of answer quiz writers rely on.
- What periodic table facts should I know for trivia?
- Memorize the symbols for the first 20 elements and common elements like Fe (iron), Au (gold), Ag (silver), Pb (lead), Hg (mercury). Also know atomic numbers of carbon (6), nitrogen (7), and oxygen (8).
- Are space and astronomy questions common in science trivia?
- Yes — planet order, planet records (largest, most moons, hottest surface), and space firsts (first human in space, first moon landing, first satellite) are extremely common and relatively easy to learn.
- How do I quickly build science trivia knowledge?
- Kurzgesagt and MinutePhysics on YouTube give memorable science context. For trivia-specific prep, focus on common mnemonics: planet order, periodic table tricks, and the human body systems. Review Nobel Prize winners in physics, chemistry, and medicine from the last 30 years.