Richard Feynman Quiz: Think You Know Richard Feynman?
Richard Feynman is one of the most popular and highly regarded physicists of all time. You think you may know him, but do you? Let’s find out by taking this quiz!
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Richard P. Feynman
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1. Who was Richard Feynman?
Richard Feynman was an American theoretical physicist renowned for his work in the path integral formulation of quantum mechanics, the theory of quantum electrodynamics, and the physics of superfluidity of supercooled liquid helium, as well as in particle physics for which he proposed the parton model.
He was known for his distinctive teaching style and colorful personality.
2. What is Richard Feynman most famous for?
Feynman is most famous for his contributions to the development of quantum electrodynamics (QED). He introduced the Feynman diagrams, a graphical representation of the interactions of subatomic particles, which have become a fundamental tool in quantum physics. He shared the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965 for his work in this field.
3. Did Richard Feynman contribute to the Manhattan Project?
Yes, Richard Feynman was a key member of the Manhattan Project, the U.S. government research project during World War II that produced the first atomic bombs. He worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he made significant contributions to the development of the bomb.
4. What are Feynman’s notable publications?
Feynman’s notable publications include “The Feynman Lectures on Physics,” a comprehensive textbook based on lectures he gave at Caltech. His other works include “QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter,” which introduces quantum electrodynamics to a general audience, and “Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!” a book of anecdotes from his life.
5. What was Richard Feynman’s teaching philosophy?
Feynman’s teaching philosophy was centered around making complex concepts accessible and engaging. He believed in the importance of understanding the fundamentals deeply rather than memorizing advanced topics. His teaching style was characterized by clarity, simplicity, and a bit of humor.
6. How did Richard Feynman impact the field of physics?
Feynman significantly impacted physics through his work in quantum mechanics and quantum electrodynamics. His approaches and methods, such as Feynman diagrams, have become standard tools in theoretical physics. His contributions have influenced many areas of physics and have helped in simplifying and solving complex quantum physics problems.
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7 but I actually knew the answers to 6. I got the same score for the scientists where I guessed lucky.
i got 5. i was not sure about the guide of feynamann. i made a random guess. i got it correct surprising.
Only 6/12.
“I got 4 and failed:smile:.
By the way I don’t know about him as he is not talked about in high school as Einstein is talked about.
Just took the quiz for seeing my luck.
2 answers I knew, other were guesses.
There is error in question 5 of “what condition he had”
It’s showing the wrong answer that I have chosen but not the correct one.”
“Post your scores :)”
11 out of 12 :)
8
‘Satisfactory’ 6/12 despite having read two biogs and an autobiography, his essays, QED and parts of Lectures.
But some of those fails don’t worry me. Too bad sister didn’t leave vivid impression on me. Those numbers were just a guess. What’s syneasthesia? Why did he need a van?
scored 3 :(
“Feynam said that he saw equations flying around in all sorts of colors.”
I need chapter and verse from Feynman’s mouth. I want to know the context.
“10/12
#2 needs to be changed to “drawing”. And I’ll need a citation for #5. I know that Richard Cytowic thinks Feynman had synesthesia, but I don’t believe Feynman, himself, made any such claim.”
Feynam said that he saw equations flying around in all sorts of colors.
I got 8, having read the books about ten years ago.
10/12
Just finished the audiobook of the Lawrence Krauss bio. Krauss uses the 1/200 number for Challenger
Got 3 wrong… I don’t know his IQ…
I can’t believe my score. I read so many of his books….
“I think I found it on his wiki page”
Ah, another illustration of how Wikipedia can’t always be trusted. :wink: I see the “1 in 200” figure there, but the only source given is Appendix F to the commission report, which I linked to, and which does not contain that figure anywhere. The only figure I think is justified by that document (which is the correct primary source) is “1 in 100”. The two key quotes from that document are, first, from the opening paragraph:
“The estimates range from roughly 1 in 100 to 1 in 100,000. The higher figures come from the working engineers, and the very low figures from management.”
Second, from the conclusion:
“They [the Shuttles] therefore fly in a relatively unsafe condition, with a chance of failure of the order of a percent (it is difficult to be more accurate).”
(The Wiki page does mention Feynman’s book, What Do You Care What Other People Think, the second half of which is his telling the story of the Challenger investigation. It’s possible that the “1 in 200” figure is given somewhere in there; I don’t have my copy handy to check. Even if it is, though, I would say the “official” primary source is still the Appendix F document, so I should still get 1 more point of credit for this quiz, which is of course my real agenda here. :wink: )
“What is the source for that number?”
I think I found it on his wiki page
8/12, would have been 10/12 if I had trusted my first instinct on two questions (Brazil and Professor).
Also I’m not sure about question 10. I answered 1 in 100, while the “correct” answer is given as 1 in 200. What is the source for that number? In his famous [URL=’http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/51-l/docs/rogers-commission/Appendix-F.txt’]Appendix F[/URL] to the commission report (famous enough for me to have borrowed its last sentence for my sig, anyway :wink: ), the final estimate is given as “on the order of a percent” (i.e., 1 in 100). The number 1 in 200 doesn’t appear anywhere.
8/12. I never knew he had synethesia. You think that would have been mentioned somewhere in his bios.
I’ve read/listened/watched almost all there is regarding Feynman, and I scored a 7.
Congratulations – you have completed Richard Feynman Quiz.
You scored 11 points out of 12 points total.
Your performance has been rated as Excellent.
Ah, didn’t know he taught at Cornell.
Some brilliant peoples here…. judging by score they are getting :nb):nb)
5…:oldtongue:
9/12.
11/12! I missed the one about the odds of catastrophic failure in the Challenger investigation. Clearly, there’s some stuff stuck in the dim corners of my memory.
(ETA: And it’s not like he’s a hero of mine either. So I don’t even know where that stuff came from.)
9….. and he is still my favorite physicist of all time.
8/10, no guesses. I read SYAJMF some years ago.
10 out of 12 for this test — I got the question about his favourite place to travel wrong which I should have answered right (Mexico, instead of Brazil). Ouch! :eek:
8, including a couple of guesses.
2/12…. Seems I heard about him first time. One Confession: I forgot quantum mechanics long ago:biggrin:
“8.
I read his autobiographies a long time ago, so I knew a few things, e.g that he was a painter. But the questions were very difficult. It’s not that easy to know the exact year he won the Nobel (I actually guessed that one right), or that probability that he estimated. It would probably have been better to ask what he got the price for, or who he shared it with, and to ask what investigation he was involved in.”
Too easy :)
10/12
#2 needs to be changed to “drawing”. And I’ll need a citation for #5. I know that Richard Cytowic thinks Feynman had synesthesia, but I don’t believe Feynman, himself, made any such claim.
8/12
I’ve read Gleick’s Genius and Surely You Must Be Joking …
These covered family (Joan), Wheeler, Manhattan and locks, Cornell, Brazil, painting, FD’s on the van. Couldn’t quite recalll IQ, off by 5. Knew Challenger failure odds were low, but thought 1:100. Never read about the synaesthesia, and couldn’t be bothered to look up the exact year for QED.
5/12 – the only thing I was fairly sure of was his doctoral advisor.
“No option is coming correct for question 5.
I’ve tried the quiz 4 times for seeing the correct answer.”
Fixed, thanks
No option is coming correct for question 5.
I’ve tried the quiz 4 times for seeing the correct answer.
“He doesn’t quite reach the level of pop sci fame that Einstein does.”
That’s true.
“Post your scores :)”
I got 4 and failed:smile:.
By the way I don’t know about him as he is not talked about in high school as Einstein is talked about.
Just took the quiz for seeing my luck.
2 answers I knew, other were guesses.
There is error in question 5 of “what condition he had”
It’s showing the wrong answer that I have chosen but not the correct one.
Post your scores :)
5/12. Fun quiz. His daughter published a book of his letters to her.
I got a 4, but I didn't think I knew him that well.
7! Woo! I might be below average at physics but at least I'm a "satisfactory" fan-girl. :)
10/12
Well, I just know his name. I havent read so much about scientists. So, all the questions I left unanswered. But the comment says I must read about him :)
Scored 8. Honestly, I guessed on a couple, so let's say 6.
10/12, his books are so inspirational in my opinion,
6/12
12/12 unbeatable yes!!
Though I knew he painted some, but wasn’t he passionate about drumming?
All Guesses.
6 – it’s been a long time since I read his excellent autobiography.
5/12, which is 1.3 sigma above a completely random result. Will wait a bit more before claiming I know something about Feynman : )
10 / 12.
10-very good!
9. I do better on the trivia than I do understanding the damn physics! Thats why I am here
10, I've read most of his books and the ones about him.
I got 5, but I really knew only 3.
Einstein was also humorous.
I did completely terrible, (as I thought I would) but did enjoy learning some new facts about the Dick himself! I also remember hearing that he was very fond of strippers. And enjoyed learning new facts about the legend himself. 5/12
10 out of 12
10/12 guessed the 1/200 given I knew his IQ test was 125 and they were gonna be mutually exclusive middle answers.. really thought it'd be barber though given it was kind of the odd one out
8 but I had luck on 5 of my guesses :-)
9/12 woo . got the date and IQ wrong because numbers are hard to remember.
6 out of twelve, but that's what you get for guessing. Fun quiz.
That being said, it was very informative. Didn’t know he had synesthesia.
9. Woohoo… Told you I’d do better on Feynman than on Einstein.
I read his autobiographies a long time ago, so I knew a few things, e.g. that he was a painter. But the questions were very difficult. It’s not that easy to know the exact year he won the Nobel (I actually guessed that one right), or that probability that he estimated. It would probably have been better to ask what he got the prize for, or who he shared it with, and to ask what investigation he was involved in.
I kinda like Feynman more than Einstein. Feynman seems real. Colorful. Human.
5. I read his autobiography about 25 years ago, so I’m not surprised.
6, all guesses except picking locks, I’ve only read a bit of him, but seen a fair bit of video / lectures, and yeah he is great! I really enjoyed his take on the discovery inquiry, as sincere as he is bright I guess. Hmmm…makes me wonder if there are Einstein lecture videos?
10/12. I don’t know if I am ashamed or proud of this.
I got 11/12 and in my opinion Richard Feynman is my favorite scientist.
I didn’t know any of these. Guessed on all of them and got 3/12, as one might expect.
8/12
6/12
Odd. It’s been only 20 years since I’ve read his biography.
He doesn’t quite reach the level of pop sci fame that Einstein does.