# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1074 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1075 --- ## [Inductors and GFCI : Why does the GFCI trip?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inductors-and-gfci-why-does-the-gfci-trip/726170)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inductors-and-gfci-why-does-the-gfci-trip/726170 "2015-07-25T19:36:07Z")
Ok, an inductor is a coil of wire around a piece of iron or similar material that can store a magnetic field. This magnetic field acts to resist changes in the rate of electron flow, aka current. Why does an AC GFCI tr… --- ## [Death threats from strangers. Does anyone follow through?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-threats-from-strangers-does-anyone-follow-through/725694)
**Author:** [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2015, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-threats-from-strangers-does-anyone-follow-through/725694 "2015-07-25T17:25:22Z")
I was reading an article on CNNwhere Brianna Wu states that she has received 108 death threats. It seems that just about every person that is semi-famous\* and semi-controversial complains about receiving death threats f… --- ## [Cost to turn rocks into gravel for home use.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cost-to-turn-rocks-into-gravel-for-home-use/725922)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2015, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cost-to-turn-rocks-into-gravel-for-home-use/725922 "2015-07-25T17:13:58Z")
I bought a house and the previous owner has borders made with rocks. They range from pebbles to stones but most are about fist-size. There is nothing ornamental about these rocks, they’re not river rocks or even color … --- ## [When I'm in one place, why do the bars on my phone change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-im-in-one-place-why-do-the-bars-on-my-phone-change/726073)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2015, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-im-in-one-place-why-do-the-bars-on-my-phone-change/726073 "2015-07-25T16:53:33Z")
I have assumed that the cellular signal strength that’s available to me is mediated by the nearness of a relay tower and by any interfering structures between us. So why is it that I can sit in one place without moving … --- ## [Why doesn't a diaper rash get infected all the time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-a-diaper-rash-get-infected-all-the-time/726102)
**Author:** [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2015, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-a-diaper-rash-get-infected-all-the-time/726102 "2015-07-25T16:51:58Z")
And end up super serious? I realize that this is a simplistic statement on the human biome and all, but the basic idea is that bacteria inside us can be dangerous outside us (E. coli is the poster child) or that we have… --- ## [How long would it take to make wild animals naive again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-it-take-to-make-wild-animals-naive-again/726106)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2015, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-it-take-to-make-wild-animals-naive-again/726106 "2015-07-25T15:28:40Z")
Can’t just walk up to a deer or a raccoon, most times not even an elk, moose, or bison (Don’t try this! Some seem to invite you in just because they enjoy that crunchy sensation under their hooves). Certainly not a pron… --- ## [Constellation Myth Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constellation-myth-question/726081)
**Author:** [@mm2121](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mm2121)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2015, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constellation-myth-question/726081 "2015-07-25T14:32:22Z")
Dear all, I am interested in finding some reference (poetry, prose, history, mythology) wherein a sailor chooses one of many possible constellations to navigate by. I am acquainted with the astronomical details here, wh… --- ## [How to optimize a constant in an algorithm with multiple constants?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-optimize-a-constant-in-an-algorithm-with-multiple-constants/725977)
**Author:** [@Incensed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incensed)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2015, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-optimize-a-constant-in-an-algorithm-with-multiple-constants/725977 "2015-07-25T02:31:37Z")
First off, I’m an interested amateur, obviously not a mathematician or statistician, so I apologize for making mistakes in terminology, and if you could please keep the replies as simplistic as possible, I’d appreciate i… --- ## [Are hospital morgues staffed 24 hours?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-hospital-morgues-staffed-24-hours/725787)
**Author:** [@truestory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truestory)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2015, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-hospital-morgues-staffed-24-hours/725787 "2015-07-25T02:28:48Z")
Just wondering if there is always someone in the hospital morgue waiting to retrieve a dead body? How does that all work, you know, getting the bodies into the morgue? Can any doctor do it or only specified hospital morg… --- ## [Air conditioner](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-conditioner/726067)
**Author:** [@lk122232](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lk122232)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-conditioner/726067 "2015-07-24T23:40:35Z")
Should the vent be open or closed in a window unit? --- ## [What happens to "out of date" goods at grocery stores?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-out-of-date-goods-at-grocery-stores/725829)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-out-of-date-goods-at-grocery-stores/725829 "2015-07-24T22:57:50Z")
I’m talking about cans, boxed goods and other non-perishables that go past their “best by” or “out of date” date. I know they get taken off the shelves, but what happens after that? Do they just go to a dump? Do they go … --- ## [Fan on my seven-year-old graphics card is failing. Replace the fan or the card?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fan-on-my-seven-year-old-graphics-card-is-failing-replace-the-fan-or-the-card/725962)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fan-on-my-seven-year-old-graphics-card-is-failing-replace-the-fan-or-the-card/725962 "2015-07-24T21:54:59Z")
Here is a link to the card. Higher end when I put it in, but obviously years out of date. It’s sitting in an Asus M2N4 if that makes a difference. Machine is primarily our HTPC. Music, movies, streaming, and a tiny bit … --- ## [Binary planets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/binary-planets/725519)
**Author:** [@Dana\_Scully](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dana_Scully)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/binary-planets/725519 "2015-07-24T21:29:13Z")
The recent fly-by of Pluto by New Horizons got me to wondering: have any binary planets ever been discovered? I know that Pluto and its moon Charon are quite close together and I wondered if anyone has ever measured to … --- ## [To the surfers with a science degree: The physics of catching a wave](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-surfers-with-a-science-degree-the-physics-of-catching-a-wave/726086)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-surfers-with-a-science-degree-the-physics-of-catching-a-wave/726086 "2015-07-24T21:12:44Z")
I’ve recently made my first forays into surfing, and even though I didn’t perform particularly well (considering even my beginner’s status), I liked it a lot and would love to improve. This, combined with a general inter… --- ## [Shit-eating grin (NEED ANSWER FAST)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-eating-grin-need-answer-fast/725979)
**Author:** [@Buford\_was\_no\_angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buford_was_no_angel)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-eating-grin-need-answer-fast/725979 "2015-07-24T20:09:42Z")
What is the etymology of this phrase? Examples would be appreciated. --- ## [Small helicopter on small ships](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-helicopter-on-small-ships/726071)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-helicopter-on-small-ships/726071 "2015-07-24T19:13:41Z")
Many small ships are equipped with helipads that may be used by small helicopters such as the Hughes 269/Schwiezer 300/Sikorsky S300, Robinson R22 or R44, Bell JetRanger, or Hughes/Mcdonnel Douglas 500. I’ve never lande… --- ## [Question for Navy Nukes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-navy-nukes/725003)
**Author:** [@Potestas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potestas)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-navy-nukes/725003 "2015-07-24T18:27:40Z")
Question for all you navy nukes out there… What is the process for starting up an SSBN after docking for maintenance and repair? Like if I wanted to start up an Ohio class sub, what would I have to do? What is the proc… --- ## [Education and military officers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/education-and-military-officers/725115)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/education-and-military-officers/725115 "2015-07-24T15:48:19Z")
While reading about officer training schools (the ones that train enlisted military to be officers), it surprised me that they require candidates to have bachelor’s degrees. So it got me wondering: –Why? Doesn’t that … --- ## [Has anyone here ever heard of frederick soddy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-ever-heard-of-frederick-soddy/726019)
**Author:** [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-ever-heard-of-frederick-soddy/726019 "2015-07-24T15:46:17Z")
He was a nuclear physicist who was active at least as far back as the 1940s: “Soddy noted as far back as 1949 that this simple law of decay, which is the same for all radioactive elements and is of a probabilistic natur… --- ## [Tax question - 1099C for deceased person](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-question-1099c-for-deceased-person/394807)
**Author:** [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-question-1099c-for-deceased-person/394807 "2015-07-24T15:36:06Z")
My father died 12/21/04 and my mother received a 1099-C recently for a home equity loan in his name that had been forgiven. I understand that, with a few exceptions, income from a cancellation of debt would be included … --- ## [Water flow shutoff device](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-flow-shutoff-device/726004)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-flow-shutoff-device/726004 "2015-07-24T14:24:42Z")
I can’t seem to find what I am looking for so I’m hoping someone out there can tell me these things exist and perhaps even where I can get one… I have a well on my property that provides all of my water. There is a dire… --- ## [How do they catch drug-trafficking submarines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-catch-drug-trafficking-submarines/725941)
**Author:** [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-catch-drug-trafficking-submarines/725941 "2015-07-24T13:35:31Z")
I was discussing with coworkers the capture of a pocket submarine transporting drugs. And we are wondering how they cath such submarines in practice. I guess that coastguards or such can detect makeshift submarines, but … --- ## [Windows 10 Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-questions/725555)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-questions/725555 "2015-07-24T11:28:43Z")
Does it have an emulator, that enables you to use older software. Can you opt out of storing your data off-site? I keep my data on my own system, not cloud based. (Do not lecture me about the Cloud! Thank you.) --- ## [Who pays for the luxury soap/cosmetics products in hotels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-pays-for-the-luxury-soap-cosmetics-products-in-hotels/726013)
**Author:** [@andrea\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrea_green)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-pays-for-the-luxury-soap-cosmetics-products-in-hotels/726013 "2015-07-24T10:54:25Z")
Luxury hotel rooms will typically feature specific high-end brands of designer soaps, shampoos, creams etc. These brands are prominently mentioned in hotel marketing material and in the rooms. I would like to know what… --- ## [Install power cables, and climb everest with an air compression suit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-power-cables-and-climb-everest-with-an-air-compression-suit/725978)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-power-cables-and-climb-everest-with-an-air-compression-suit/725978 "2015-07-24T06:32:17Z")
Just a thought - reading about the terrible problems that happen because of brain swelling and other deadly causes made me wonder how you could cheat to make climbing everest safe. If there were power cables and winch p… --- ## [is it theoretically impossible to engineer a 100% reliable solution out of unreliable parts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-theoretically-impossible-to-engineer-a-100-reliable-solution-out-of-unreliable-parts/725827)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-theoretically-impossible-to-engineer-a-100-reliable-solution-out-of-unreliable-parts/725827 "2015-07-24T06:11:33Z")
You have a general purpose set of components - for example, a programming language, but it has a limitation: it’s only 90% reliable. 10% (randomly) of all operations fail to work. Using only this fallible tookit, can a… --- ## [How can ticket scalpers sell seats before tickets go on sale to the public?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-ticket-scalpers-sell-seats-before-tickets-go-on-sale-to-the-public/726023)
**Author:** [@fmitchelltx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fmitchelltx)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-ticket-scalpers-sell-seats-before-tickets-go-on-sale-to-the-public/726023 "2015-07-24T05:03:54Z")
I was planning on trying to get tickets to Garth Brooks tomorrow morning. I went to a site that I thought was a Ticketmaster site. As it turns out it was a ticket scalper site. On this site I could purchase tickets befor… --- ## [Googling, Xeroxing, etc...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/googling-xeroxing-etc/725887)
**Author:** [@Ahess05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ahess05)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/googling-xeroxing-etc/725887 "2015-07-24T03:48:16Z")
I thought there was a specific word for the name of something being the action it performs. I might be mistaken but isn’t there a word that encompasses this type of word? Such as Xeroxing or Googling or Tivo? Thanks. --- ## [What is this 'Body Analysis Scale' actually doing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-body-analysis-scale-actually-doing/725973)
**Author:** [@Incensed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incensed)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-body-analysis-scale-actually-doing/725973 "2015-07-24T02:52:14Z")
I recently purchased a Conair Model WW79 scale (very similar tothis model), which purportedly uses a small electrical current to measure ‘body fat, body water, bone mass and BMI’. However, I suspect that instead of meas… --- ## [Why hasn't anyone published the Goebbels diaries in English?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-anyone-published-the-goebbels-diaries-in-english/725908)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2015, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-anyone-published-the-goebbels-diaries-in-english/725908 "2015-07-24T01:14:34Z")
The British historian Ian Kershaw wrote in the preface to his biography of Hitler:\* “For all the caution which must naturally be attached to Goebbels’s regularly reported remarks by Hitler … the immediacy as well as the … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1073) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1075)