Americans developed the nuclear weapons, dispatched a man to the moon, and for many years worked hard to secure a scientific and technological advantage over rival nations.

But a new study suggests that most Americans struggle with science.

The report by the Pew Research Centre, revealed it had asked a representative sample of US adults on geology, physics and astronomy, among other topics. Out of 12 questions, the test-takers on average answered 7.9 correctly. That’s a score of 66%.

“Most Americans (86%) correctly identify the Earth’s inner layer, the core, as its hottest part, and nearly as many (82%) know uranium is needed to make nuclear energy and nuclear weapons,” said the report.

“But far fewer are able to identify the property of a sound wave that determines loudness. Just 35% correctly answer amplitude, or height. Some 33% incorrectly say it is frequency and 23% say it is wavelength. And just 34% correctly state that water boils at a lower temperature in a high-altitude setting (Denver) than near sea level (Los Angeles).”

Around one in five people confused astrology and astronomy.

More than one in five (22%) of those taking the test said astronomy was “the study of how the positions of stars and planets can influence human behaviour.”