Going back a bit here, but I thought I'd fill in what some of these are often used for (in no way exhaustive - for longer lists, look them up on wikipedia...)

Α α Alpha - many things, including alpha particles in the physics of nuclear reactions, and regularly used in mathematics. For a start, Greek letters are generally used to denote ordinals in set theory/logic.

Β β Beta - beta particles in nuclear reactions (essentially loose electrons)

Γ γ Gamma - the factor 1/sqrt(1-(v*v/c*c)) in relativistic calculations, where v is the relative velocity of an object to the observer, and c the speed of light. Upper case gamma is used as the symbol for a collection of formulae in logic, notably in the standard proofs of Godel's Incompleteness Theorems, among others.

Δ δ Delta - often a very small quantity, especially the small change in something in the calculus. Upper case is used similarly (in slightly different contexts), and to denote sets in logic.

Ε ε Epsilon - in analysis, a small number.

Ζ ζ Zeta - Not frequently used in mathematics, probably because it's hard to write :). The first thing that comes to mind is the Riemann Zeta Function, an obscure function defined by the father of analysis, about which there exists a problem the solution to which would net its finder a million dollar prize.

Η η Eta - viscosity in fluid dynamics.

Θ θ Theta - usually an angle, esp. in polar coordinates.

Ι ι Iota - I actually can't think of a use for this one, probably because it's so similar to the romance i.

Κ κ Kappa - frequently used in analysis and topology. Denotes a particular measure of the curvature of a surface (whose name escapes me at present).

Λ λ Lambda - statisticians use this a lot, as do other mathematicians, including analysts.

Μ μ Mu - coefficients of friction, IIRC, are denoted by mu.

Ν ν Nu -
Ξ ξ Xi - not used a lot in maths (again, hard to write :))

Ο ο Omicron - too much like o

Π π Pi - well, it's the constant ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, for a start. Upper case pi is used for a repeated multiplication (in the same way that sigma is used for summation)

Ρ ρ Rho - density, usually.

Σ σ ς Sigma - upper case often denotes a repeated summation. Lower case is used for particular functions in many contexts, amongst other things.

Τ τ Tau - The Golden Ratio (more commonly, phi). Torque. Also a lepton in atomic physics.

Υ υ Upsilon - another one I can't think of a use for
Φ φ Phi - phi and psi usually denote general formulae in formal logic. Phi is also often used for angles in polar coordinates, and the Golden Ratio (also tau).

Χ χ Chi - chromatic indices in graph theory. There's also a statistical distribution called the "chi-squared" distribution.

Ψ ψ Psi - a general formula in logic

Ω ω Omega - Many many things. For a start, omega denotes angular velocity, and is used to denote the first infinite cardinal (equal to the number of integers).

That's what I wanted you to say... But I couldn't disappoint that poor hard-working Reamus.

You are correct, even though he did not finish the Opera. However, he finished the majority of it and only the last two scenes were written by Franco Alfano.

Sebastianos: 1

Question 2:

Taxonomy is the science of classifying organsisms based on certain characteristics. Taxonomy is divided into many different catergories (Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species) Originally, scientist Haekel proposed that in the largest group at the time (Kingdom) there should be 3 catergories: Protists, Plants, and Animals. Over time this has evolved and scientists realized the organsims are more diverse than originally thought and came up with 5 kingdoms: Monera, Protista, Plantae, Fungi, and Animalea. This 5 kingdom classification was standard for many years.

However, now many scientists believe even more kingdoms are required. Recently a system of classification was proposed consisting of 11 different kingdoms. Name the 11 kingdoms!

What exactly are the rules concerning google?
You're the quizmaster, so you make the rules....

Darn difficult questions man :bleh:

Google and wikipedia all you want.

But I warn you w/ google...it might be different kingdoms than I am looking for. This is the most accepted hypothesis right now, although I have seen some that have up to 15 kingdoms, but they haven't been accepted or given much thought.

So if you Google, that's all ok...just make sure you get the 11 I am looking for.

Edit: On that same note, I just found the exact image from my text book online that has all eleven listed in the chart. The trick is to know what to google. If no one gets it by tomorrow, I'll give some hints. Just remember, these are generally accepted hypothesis kinfdoms.

I havnt the foggiest... :eeeeeh:

is this it? (alternatively- is it the right hypothesis?)

I must admit I am impressed. I'm off to seminary, I'll be back in about an hour to post the next question.

a1s: 1
Sebastianos: 1

Question 3:

Identify this creature both by it's common name, and supply its COMPLETE taxonomical name.

Hint: I found the image and name through wikipedia by starting w; the Kingdom, then selecting the correct Phylm, Class, Order, and Family. By looking at the picture, you should be able to identify those first five taxonomical groups.

oh?
care to explain the difference between Acrochordidae and Atractaspididae ? I personaly can only tell dogs(Canidae) apart from cats(Felidae).

That would be a pangolin, or scaly anteater.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Pholidota
Family Manidae
Genus Manis
Species temmincki? (Think that's the right one!)