Are you able to distinguish between critical minerals and elements from Tolkien”s Middle-earth? In recent times, the conversation surrounding critical minerals has intensified, and their names can sound as if they were conjured from a fantasy realm. To test your knowledge, we present what might be Guardian Australia”s most entertaining quiz yet. However, beware, as the challenge is not for the faint of heart.
1. Let”s begin with an easy one. What is “Mithril”? Is it: used by dwarves and elves to create shimmering magical armor and an “ithildin alloy”; a mineral sand abundant in Busselton, Western Australia; an ancient ring associated with complex histories involving other ancient rings; or simply a term we fabricated?
2. Who or what is “Hafnium”? Is it: a dwarf from the Second Age who met a heroic end battling a balrog; a lustrous tetravalent transition metal; a distant land beyond human comprehension; or a name we invented?
3. What would you do with “Rhun”? Would you use it as an alternative to silicon dioxide gate insulators in future batteries; ally with a character to defeat a formidable foe; or spend time with various fantasy races? Or is it a fictional name we made up?
4. What is “Iluvatar”? Is it: a mystery only known to Eru, the all-benevolent creator; an intermediate slurry of alluvial deposits often containing titanium dioxide; a crystalline manganese form discovered in the 18th century; or a completely made-up term?
5. Considering “Bismuth,” is it: a place where gray shadows linger, tied to the lore of Andunie and Arthedain; a noteworthy element among the Pnictogens, related to antimony and beneficial for treating diarrhea; a character from the lineage of Durin; or perhaps a fabricated name?
6. What should you avoid doing with “Fluorspar”? Should you refrain from contaminating water sources due to harmful gas emissions during processing; avoid joining a character in a perilous journey; or not use it in lenses for optical design? Or is it entirely fictitious?
7. Was “Yttrium” made up? Is it: an actual rare earth element; a name created by Christopher Tolkien for his intricate elven genealogies; or perhaps a fictional town where Bilbo Baggins retired?
8. We found “Hithlum” listed on Wikipedia. Is it: a platinum-group mineral known for its properties; one of the rarest elements on Earth; used in a variety of high-tech applications; or a land from Tolkien”s lore? Did we just invent this one?
9. What about “Arsenic”? Is it: legitimately the name of a hobbit; well-known but not recognized in the Australian critical minerals list; or just a term we fabricated?
10. Finally, “Tantalum.” Is it: a place shrouded in the darkness of Melkor”s ancient realm; a blue-gray refractory metal useful in quantum processing; or merely a phonetic creation?
Take this quiz to see how well you can navigate the fine line between the worlds of science and fantasy!
