Quantum mechanics has a reputation for being one of the trickiest subjects to wrap one’s brain around. But there’s plenty of cool stuff you can – and possibly already do – know about the quantum world.

Take the quiz, test your IQ (“into-quantumness”), and learn some fascinating facts for the next time you want to impress people at a cocktail party. Don’t forget to hit the social share buttons below to challenge your friends!

1. Who first described "energy quanta" (and won the Nobel Prize in 1918 for his role in the foundation of quantum theory)? A. Werner Heisenberg B. Max Planck C. Albert Einstein D. Erwin Schrödinger E. Bill Nye The Science Guy

2. What does the “many worlds interpretation” of quantum mechanics suggest? A. That each electron contains a tiny universe B. That intelligent life elsewhere in the universe is a statistical near-certainty C. That all possibilities of a quantum wavefunction become alternate realities D. That quantum mechanics is only one of many explanations about how particles behave E. (a) and (b) only

3. What are the four basic forces of the universe? A. Strong, weak, electromagnetic, and gravitational B. Momentum, velocity, gravity, and friction C. Gravitational, strong, quantum, and Newtonian D. Weak, strong, medium, and variable E. There is no Force, only The Dark Side

4. In quantum physics, the wavefunction is king. It provides a mathematical description of the quantum state of a particle or system. What can the square of the magnitude of a particle's wavefunction tell us? A. The probability that it will decay at a given time B. Whether a Higgs boson is present C.The mass of the particle D. The probability that it is in a certain place at a given time E. Trick question: nobody knows

5. According to the Dirac equation, a given particle has what? A. Negative charge B. An antiparticle C. A size limit D. Velocity E. A silver lining

6. What was Erwin Schrödinger trying to convey with his famous “cat-in-a-box” thought experiment? A. The concept of "entanglement" is akin to a cat tangled up in yarn B. A problem he saw with taking the math of quantum mechanics literally C. That any object (i.e. a cat) cannot be considered “alive” unless it is being observed D. A problem he saw with Einstein’s idea of curved spacetime E. That he was more of a dog person

7. Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle tells us that some properties of a particle cannot be measured simultaneously with exact precision. Which ones? A. Position and mass B. Mass and size C. Density and speed D. Position and momentum E. Taste and smell

8. Peter Shor created an algorithm that demonstrated the potential superiority of quantum computers over classical computers at a certain tricky task. What task is Shor’s algorithm for? A. Developing virtual reality simulations nearly identical to real life B. Building high-powered processing software for the Large Hadron Collider C. Finding the prime factors of very large numbers D. Predicting the probability of certain quantum phenomena E. Instagram, mainly

9. Which experimental demonstration of quantum principles was described by Physics World as “the most beautiful experiment” of all time? A. The Large Hadron Collider discovering the Higgs boson B. The double-slit experiment C. Arthur Eddington’s verification of Einstein’s general relativity during an eclipse D. “Schrödinger’s Cat” thought experiment E. The Mythbusters blowing up a cement truck

10. Which of the following technologies does not inherently rely on quantum physics principles? A. Lasers B. LEDs C. Transistors D. Reflecting telescopes E. MRI machines

11. What does the energy of a photon depend on? A. Its wavelength B. Its speed C. Its intensity D. All of the above E. Coffee

12. What property of quantum mechanics (dubbed “spooky action at a distance” by Einstein) has been demonstrated with pairs of photons separated by hundreds of kilometres? A. Superposition B. Wave-particle duality C. Entanglement D. The uncertainty principle E. Quantum of Solace

13. True or false: at an international conference in June 2017, physicists agreed upon the one correct interpretation of quantum mechanics. A. True B. False C. A quantum superposition of both "true" and "false"

14. Which one of these is not an actual product? A. Quantum dish detergent B. Quantum garage door opener C. Quantum Euro-Tech Toothbrush D. Power Energy Scalar Quantum Bio Science Ion Pendant Anti-EMF Protection Reverse Aging Necklace E. They're all actual products

15. Research suggests some birds may use quantum mechanics in which surprising way? A. By perching on power lines, they absorb entangled electrons that fuel their metabolisms between long flights B. Their eyes can “see” the Earth’s magnetic field by maintaining quantum entanglement, thereby helping them migrate C. Birds in large flocks are connected through a type of entangled consciousness that allows the entire flock to move as a single entity D. The frequencies of some bird songs affect the wavelengths of light, allowing their songs to be “seen” by mates E. Hummingbird wings flap so quickly that, at any given moment of flight, the wings can only be mathematically described as being in a “superposition” of both up and down

