Nobel Prizes in Science MCQs 2026
35 questions with detailed answers · 0 from past papers · 4 quiz batches available
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- Q1 medium
In which two scientific fields did Marie Curie win Nobel Prizes
💡 Explanation:Marie Curie won Nobel Prizes in both Physics (1903) and Chemistry (1911).
- Q2 medium
Who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921, primarily recognized for his explanation of the photoelectric effect
💡 Explanation:Albert Einstein won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics, primarily for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
- Q3 medium
How many original categories of Nobel Prizes were established, before Economic Sciences was added later
💡 Explanation:Five original Nobel Prize categories were established: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace.
- Q4 hard
What discovery, rather than his more famous theory of relativity, was the primary basis for Einstein's Nobel Prize
💡 Explanation:Einstein's Nobel Prize was specifically awarded for his explanation of the photoelectric effect, rather than his more famous relativity theories.
- Q5 medium
Who discovered penicillin, later sharing the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this discovery
💡 Explanation:Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin and later shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this groundbreaking discovery.
- Q6 hard
Who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for developing the polio vaccine
💡 Explanation:Notably, neither Salk nor Sabin won a Nobel Prize for their polio vaccines; John Enders and colleagues won a related prize for cultivating poliovirus in tissue culture.
- Q7 medium
Who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering the structure of DNA, alongside Francis Crick
💡 Explanation:James Watson, along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins, won the Nobel Prize for discovering the structure of DNA.
- Q8 medium
What Nobel Prize category was added later, in 1968, distinct from the five original categories established by Nobel's will
💡 Explanation:The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was added later, in 1968, distinct from the five original categories.
- Q9 hard
Why did Rosalind Franklin, whose X-ray data was crucial to the DNA structure discovery, not receive a Nobel Prize alongside Watson, Crick, and Wilkins
💡 Explanation:Rosalind Franklin passed away in 1958, four years before the Nobel Prize was awarded in 1962; Nobel Prizes are not awarded posthumously.
- Q10 hard
Along with Watson and Crick, which other scientist shared the Nobel Prize for DNA structure discovery
💡 Explanation:Maurice Wilkins shared the Nobel Prize with Watson and Crick for the DNA structure discovery.
- Q11 medium
What Nobel laureate developed the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology, winning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020
💡 Explanation:Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology.
- Q12 medium
Who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for pioneering work in radioactivity, alongside her earlier Physics prize
💡 Explanation:Marie Curie won a second Nobel Prize, in Chemistry, for her pioneering work in radioactivity.
- Q13 medium
In what city is the Nobel Prize in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology/Medicine, Literature, and Economic Sciences typically awarded
💡 Explanation:Most Nobel Prizes (Physics, Chemistry, Physiology/Medicine, Literature, Economic Sciences) are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden.
- Q14 medium
In what city is the Nobel Peace Prize specifically awarded, differing from the other Nobel Prize categories
💡 Explanation:The Nobel Peace Prize is specifically awarded in Oslo, Norway, differing from the Stockholm location of other Nobel Prizes.
- Q15 medium
Who is credited with being the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and remains the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different sciences
💡 Explanation:Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields (Physics and Chemistry).
- Q16 hard
What scientist shared the Nobel Prize with Shinya Yamanaka for foundational stem cell and cell nucleus reprogramming research
💡 Explanation:John Gurdon shared the Nobel Prize with Shinya Yamanaka for foundational research on stem cells and cell nucleus reprogramming.
- Q17 hard
What Nobel laureate developed induced pluripotent stem cell technology, winning the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
💡 Explanation:Shinya Yamanaka won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for developing induced pluripotent stem cell technology, sharing it with John Gurdon.
- Q18 medium
In what year were the first Nobel Prizes awarded
💡 Explanation:The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901, five years after Alfred Nobel's death in 1896.
- Q19 easy
Who established the Nobel Prizes through his will, using his fortune from inventing dynamite
💡 Explanation:Alfred Nobel, inventor of dynamite, established the Nobel Prizes through his will, using his substantial fortune.
- Q20 medium
What physicist won the Nobel Prize in 1965 for foundational work in quantum electrodynamics, also known for his engaging popular science writing
💡 Explanation:Richard Feynman won the 1965 Nobel Prize in Physics for foundational work in quantum electrodynamics, and was also known for engaging popular science writing.
- Q21 medium
What happens to the Nobel Prize monetary award when multiple laureates share a single prize in a category
💡 Explanation:When multiple laureates share a Nobel Prize, the monetary award is typically divided among them, often equally or based on contribution.
- Q22 hard
Approximately how long after nomination are Nobel nomination records kept confidential before being made public
💡 Explanation:Nobel nomination records are generally kept confidential for 50 years before being made publicly available for historical research.
- Q23 hard
What was notable about the year 1958, when a scientist named Boris Pasternak was awarded (but declined) the Nobel Prize in Literature
💡 Explanation:Boris Pasternak was pressured by Soviet authorities to decline his 1958 Nobel Prize in Literature, a notable instance of political interference.
- Q24 medium
What is the term for individuals or organizations formally submitted for consideration for a Nobel Prize, though not all nominees ultimately win
💡 Explanation:Nobel nominees are individuals or organizations formally submitted for consideration, though not all nominees ultimately become laureates.
- Q25 hard
What renowned philosopher and writer declined the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1964
💡 Explanation:Jean-Paul Sartre voluntarily declined the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1964, citing personal principles against accepting official honors.
- Q26 hard
What scientist declined the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1964, one of very few individuals to voluntarily decline a Nobel Prize
💡 Explanation:While Jean-Paul Sartre (Literature, 1964) and Le Duc Tho (Peace, 1973) are notable decliners, no specific widely-documented voluntary decline of a Physics prize matches this framing.
- Q27 hard
What institution is responsible for selecting the Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine
💡 Explanation:The Karolinska Institute is specifically responsible for selecting the Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine.
- Q28 easy
What is the general term for the person who receives a Nobel Prize
💡 Explanation:A person who receives a Nobel Prize is referred to as a Nobel laureate.
- Q29 medium
What committee is uniquely responsible for selecting the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, differing from the process for other Nobel Prizes
💡 Explanation:The Norwegian Nobel Committee is uniquely responsible for selecting the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, differing from the Swedish-based process for other prizes.
- Q30 hard
What committee is responsible for selecting the Nobel Prize laureates in Physics and Chemistry
💡 Explanation:The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences is responsible for selecting Nobel Prize laureates in both Physics and Chemistry.
- Q31 hard
Can Nobel Prizes be awarded posthumously, after a nominee has passed away
💡 Explanation:Nobel Prizes are generally not awarded posthumously, a rule formalized in 1974, though rare historical exceptions exist for earlier cases.
- Q32 medium
Approximately how many individuals are typically permitted to share a single Nobel Prize in a given category and year, at maximum
💡 Explanation:Nobel Prize rules generally limit the number of recipients sharing a single prize in one category/year to a maximum of three.
- Q33 medium
What is the monetary value component of the Nobel Prize typically referred to as, alongside the medal and diploma
💡 Explanation:The Nobel Prize includes a monetary award, often referred to as the prize sum, alongside the medal and diploma.
- Q34 medium
What controversial aspect of the Nobel Prize system has drawn criticism regarding the historical underrepresentation of women and certain regions among laureates
💡 Explanation:The Nobel Prize system has faced criticism regarding historical underrepresentation of women and certain regions among laureates, a diversity and representation concern.
- Q35 medium
What Nobel Prize category has historically included recognition for economists studying market behavior and decision-making, alongside more traditional scientific fields
💡 Explanation:The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, added in 1968, recognizes economists studying various aspects of market behavior and decision-making.