Random Questions

2008 ACF Regionals - Packet by UC Irvine - #21 [report this tossup]
He expanded upon E.H. Moore's generalized matrix inverse, so the pseudo-inverse is named for Moore and this man. He devised a way to map objects from Minkowski space to one with metric signature (2,2) in his twistor theory, and he formulated both a weak and strong version of the censorship hypothesis. His diagrams map regions around a singularity, and with Stuart Hameroff, he formulated a theory of consciousness based on quantum computing that is espoused in The Emperor's New Mind. For 10 points, identify this Briton whose "tiles" cover a plane aperiodically and whose "process" extracts energy from the ergosphere around a black hole.
Answer: Sir Roger Penrose

2009 ACF Regionals - Packet by VCU and Alabama A - #20 [report this tossup]
This ruler patronized the poet Magolwane, and won the Battle of Gqokli Hill over his rival Zwide. He invented the iklwa, and divided his army into parts coordinated by izindula. This ruler's lieutenant Mzilikazi established the Matabele Kingdom. His subjects nearly died of starvation after the death of his mother Nandi, and he created a corps of elite soldiers called impi. This ruler conquered the area between the Tugela and Pogola Rivers during the mfecane, before being assassinated by his brother Dingane, who used this ruler's "buffalo horns" attack formation at the Battle of Blood River. For 10 points, name this nineteenth century leader who unified the Zulu.
Answer: Shaka Zulu

2009 ACF Winter - Packet by University of Central Florida and Carnegie Mellon - #10 [report this tossup]
The Haworth phenanthrene synthesis can utilize two of these reactions, and pinacol(*) formation can often be observed during this reaction. This process has been employed to reduce vanillin compounds using toluene as an auxiliary solvent to yield creosol. It can be used to convert a Friedel-Crafts acylation product to an alkyl side-chain, and requires the use of amalgamated zinc which functions in part as a metal activation surface. It is not particularly effective with alicyclic and aliphatic ketones and such acid-labile molecules should be reduced using the complementary Wolff-Kishner reaction. For 10 points, identify this chemical process requiring a strong acid substrate which allows for the deoxygenation of aldehydes or ketones to produce hydrocarbons.
Answer: Clemmensen reduction (accept Wolf-Kishner until *)