# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1064 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1065 --- ## [A quick sanity check : rocket engine efficiency vs energy requirements](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-quick-sanity-check-rocket-engine-efficiency-vs-energy-requirements/727473)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2015, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-quick-sanity-check-rocket-engine-efficiency-vs-energy-requirements/727473 "2015-08-11T04:48:16Z")
All a rocket engine does is send propellant out the back. The momentum of that propellant stream is equal to the momentum change of the spacecraft, or impulse. The momentum of the rocket propellant stream = mass\_propel… --- ## [OTC Birth Control in Prescription-Only States](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otc-birth-control-in-prescription-only-states/727448)
**Author:** [@Macca26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macca26)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2015, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otc-birth-control-in-prescription-only-states/727448 "2015-08-11T03:51:55Z")
So, birth control will apparently be available over-the-counter in Oregon starting next year. Naturally everyone in the state would be able to buy it without a prescription. What’s the law regarding out-of-state purchas… --- ## [Fossil Identification?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fossil-identification/727486)
**Author:** [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2015, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fossil-identification/727486 "2015-08-11T03:18:01Z")
Not sure if this is a fossil or not - sure looks like one to me - any one here that can advise how to get it id’d would be great - We were out at a garden center looking thru rocks for the garden and spotted it - http:… --- ## [How do instincts get passed down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-instincts-get-passed-down/727464)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2015, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-instincts-get-passed-down/727464 "2015-08-11T02:40:28Z")
There are some behaviors which animals will adopt even if they’ve never been taught. For example, cats tend to bury their feces or seek high vantage spots even if it’s never been taught to them and they individually hav… --- ## [Question about house cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-house-cats/727392)
**Author:** [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-house-cats/727392 "2015-08-10T22:51:47Z")
When a cat scratches a piece of wood, does it leave five scratches (lines) or four? (Per front paw.) Or does it vary? Of course, this question assumes that the cat in question has five claws on each of its front paws. … --- ## [Flue cover age?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flue-cover-age/727475)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flue-cover-age/727475 "2015-08-10T22:40:43Z")
In another thread I tell about the finding of a stove pipe flue cover like this one the SO discovered when she took down some drywall. Does anyone know when it was made? --- ## [If you're attacked by a goose...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-attacked-by-a-goose/727334)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-attacked-by-a-goose/727334 "2015-08-10T21:53:36Z")
Is it legal to kill it, out of season and without a license, in self-defense? --- ## [Question about Search Warrants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-search-warrants/727110)
**Author:** [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-search-warrants/727110 "2015-08-10T20:23:13Z")
This is a question prompted by an event in a role-playing game, but since I am asking about how things work in the “real world” I’m putting it here. What exactly is allowed with a search warrant? If someone shows up at … --- ## [What is a better way to state currency conversion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-better-way-to-state-currency-conversion/727352)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-better-way-to-state-currency-conversion/727352 "2015-08-10T19:02:16Z")
I’ve noticed a common misconception with currency conversion with USD and currencies which have lower value dollars, which is that people assume say if 1 USD equals 125 yen wow I am rich in Japan! I live where 1 USD equ… --- ## [Amount of inhaled water to cause secondary drowning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amount-of-inhaled-water-to-cause-secondary-drowning/727435)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amount-of-inhaled-water-to-cause-secondary-drowning/727435 "2015-08-10T18:18:08Z")
How much water would a person have to inhale by accident for secondary drowning to occur? Are we talking, say, 1 ounce for a healthy adult to experience this kind of drowning, days later? --- ## [Any cultures give up on agriculture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-cultures-give-up-on-agriculture/727348)
**Author:** [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-cultures-give-up-on-agriculture/727348 "2015-08-10T16:29:30Z")
Did any cultures that previously used agriculture end up giving it up completely? Also what about the domestication of animals? --- ## [Tread depth and tyre grip.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tread-depth-and-tyre-grip/328654)
**Author:** [@Fridgemagnet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fridgemagnet)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tread-depth-and-tyre-grip/328654 "2015-08-10T16:19:15Z")
Wisdom of the ancients has it that when fitting a new pair of car tyres, the new ones should go on the rear axle to help prevent oversteer. Never having had much of a problem with oversteer, but wanting to lose excessive… --- ## [Overloading bandwith](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overloading-bandwith/727433)
**Author:** [@Profdriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profdriver)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overloading-bandwith/727433 "2015-08-10T15:55:20Z")
I’m logged into my password protected wifi, but so many people stream from it at once it’s not worth using. I was wondering what I can do to run the bandwith up so much they can’t stream Netflix or other video? I want to… --- ## [Prison Ships](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-ships/727278)
**Author:** [@Potestas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potestas)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-ships/727278 "2015-08-10T15:44:03Z")
How viable would it be to overhaul a cargo ship and turn it into a prison where the prisoners are kept in cells in the cargo hold of the ship down below decks with some kind of LED screen set significantly behind an arti… --- ## [Stuck in my apartment (need answer fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-in-my-apartment-need-answer-fast/726800)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-in-my-apartment-need-answer-fast/726800 "2015-08-10T14:41:52Z")
I got home from work about an hour ago, and found that my front door lock is broken. The door will not open. I can’t turn the knob. I called my daughter inside the apartment, and she can’t turn it from her side either. I… --- ## [Custom Ordering a Car](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-ordering-a-car/726587)
**Author:** [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-ordering-a-car/726587 "2015-08-10T11:33:17Z")
Does anyone have any experience ordering a car from the MFR rather than just seeing what’s available at the dealership? I’m not quite in the market yet but I’m looking at cars and I hate that everything is white, silver… --- ## [Question about Roman History](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-roman-history/727364)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-roman-history/727364 "2015-08-10T07:29:03Z")
Maybe this is for Cafe Society because it is a quote from a TV show, The West Wing, but I am interested in commenting on the historical accuracy of the quote and not the TV show. In the show President Bartlett has ordere… --- ## [Short Japanese translation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-japanese-translation/727425)
**Author:** [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-japanese-translation/727425 "2015-08-10T07:21:56Z")
Could anyone who knows Japanese translate the text in this image? I only need the part under Birdo, the one in the top row and third column. Quick and dirty is perfectly fine. Heck, just typing out the characters and us… --- ## [Pink=girl, blue=boy, worldwide?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pink-girl-blue-boy-worldwide/726758)
**Author:** [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pink-girl-blue-boy-worldwide/726758 "2015-08-10T05:19:55Z")
In the US, pink for girls and blue for boys has traditionally been used in decorating, clothing, toys, and signage. Just curios if this is the case in every country or just here? --- ## [How much body fat is protective (from famine, disease) and how much is just illness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-body-fat-is-protective-from-famine-disease-and-how-much-is-just-illness/727116)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-body-fat-is-protective-from-famine-disease-and-how-much-is-just-illness/727116 "2015-08-10T03:05:59Z")
As a person gains body fat, obviously, each additional pound is about 3600 kilocalories of metabolic energy. That’s between 1 and 3 days of fuel to run the human body, depending on activity level, body size, gender, and… --- ## [How can a piece of wing drift on the water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-piece-of-wing-drift-on-the-water/727190)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-piece-of-wing-drift-on-the-water/727190 "2015-08-10T02:53:25Z")
As you have probably heard, a piece of airplane wing, a flaperon, was found on Reunion Island and suspected to be part of the missing Malaysian flight. How in the hell does a big honkin’ chunk of metal float, much less … --- ## [Why upload TV shows on YouTube (when others do it too)? Plus: Bonus question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-upload-tv-shows-on-youtube-when-others-do-it-too-plus-bonus-question/727333)
**Author:** [@Wakinyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wakinyan)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-upload-tv-shows-on-youtube-when-others-do-it-too-plus-bonus-question/727333 "2015-08-10T02:50:38Z")
I’m watching BBCs Dragon’s Den on YouTube, season after season this summer. I highly recommend the show. One thing that I find peculiar is that several YouTube users have uploaded these seasons of equally good quality. … --- ## [Lidocaine showing up as false positive for cocaine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lidocaine-showing-up-as-false-positive-for-cocaine/200588)
**Author:** [@Momument](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Momument)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lidocaine-showing-up-as-false-positive-for-cocaine/200588 "2015-08-10T02:07:06Z")
Hi, everybody. I’m new here, but wish I’d found this site a long time ago! I have a question that I have already sent to “Ask Cecil”-- I hope it’s not in bad form to ask it here in addition? Anyway, here’s the question: … --- ## [AC power adapters' interchangeability](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-power-adapters-interchangeability/727405)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac-power-adapters-interchangeability/727405 "2015-08-10T00:47:20Z")
As long as the plug fits, are all AC power adapters interchangeable? I have several adapters, and have lost track of which devices each is for. Can I use any one with any device? If not, what determines compatibility? --- ## [Motorcycle parking question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-parking-question/727382)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-parking-question/727382 "2015-08-09T19:03:25Z")
I was trying to park in a very crowded parking lot yesterday. I had to circle the lot for a while before a spot came available. During my rounds I notice that one full spot was taken up by a motorcycle. When I came back… --- ## [Word for those words or phrases unique to particular families?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-for-those-words-or-phrases-unique-to-particular-families/727102)
**Author:** [@Hedda\_Rosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hedda_Rosa)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2015, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-for-those-words-or-phrases-unique-to-particular-families/727102 "2015-08-09T16:59:33Z")
Is there a word that means “words or phrases that rename familiar objects, and that is a usage unique to a particular family”? For example a colleague tells a story of how grandma used to make muffins for the kids and a… --- ## [What is the "core" body format that virtually all mammals, birds and reptiles adhere to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-core-body-format-that-virtually-all-mammals-birds-and-reptiles-adhere-to/727133)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2015, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-core-body-format-that-virtually-all-mammals-birds-and-reptiles-adhere-to/727133 "2015-08-09T16:44:13Z")
By which I mean: 4 limbs 5 digits (do birds have vestigial digits?) 2 eyes 1 brain stomach/intestines liver kidneys/bladder uterus/ovaries/testes I know reptiles (all or most, not sure) have cloacas that functio… --- ## [Tax question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-question/727174)
**Author:** [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2015, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-question/727174 "2015-08-09T15:09:05Z")
I know if I go into a casino and win a lot of money, they have to tell the IRS and I have to pay taxes on my winnings. Does this mean if I go to a casino and lose money, I can call it a loss on my taxes? --- ## [Why are '"wire transfers" so expensive in the USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-wire-transfers-so-expensive-in-the-usa/727321)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2015, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-wire-transfers-so-expensive-in-the-usa/727321 "2015-08-09T14:18:07Z")
In Europe, I can send a “wire transfer” bank to bank within the Euro zone, across national boundaries, and that’s to nineteen different countries (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Irel… --- ## [Why does a dog's smell linger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226)
**Author:** [@m30wc0w](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/m30wc0w)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2015, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226 "2015-08-09T13:55:10Z")
So I’m the proud owner of a new puppy. He’s great. Anyways, I’ve noticed that his smell is present everywhere inside the small condo that we live in. I’ll post pictures of him if I like your answers :stuck\_out\_tongue: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1063) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1065)