# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1114 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1115 --- ## [California Title 24 Requirements for Window Air Conditoners](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-title-24-requirements-for-window-air-conditoners/719996)
**Author:** [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-title-24-requirements-for-window-air-conditoners/719996 "2015-05-16T03:19:51Z")
I’ve been trying to satisfy Title 24 requirements for energy conservation while remodelling. I’ve had a consultant performa a Title 24 analysis. I wamted to install inexpensive window air conditioners in the bedrooms to … --- ## [A Question for Custer/Montana History Experts: Missing Documents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-custer-montana-history-experts-missing-documents/720027)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-custer-montana-history-experts-missing-documents/720027 "2015-05-16T02:51:12Z")
I recently read “Son of the Morning Star” (by Evan Connell). This is the definitive book about the Battle of the Little Big Horn (1876), in which Custer and all his men were killed. Many years after the batttle, an In… --- ## [Need help with synodic months calculation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-synodic-months-calculation/720057)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-synodic-months-calculation/720057 "2015-05-16T01:48:32Z")
I’ve had an idea for a short story, but the plot hinges on a trick involving the difference between lunar and solar calendars. The idea is that someone will come into their inheritance when they are to the day 18 years o… --- ## [Truck Towing Capacity Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truck-towing-capacity-question/719978)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truck-towing-capacity-question/719978 "2015-05-16T01:16:17Z")
This may belong in IMHO. Mods feel free to move it as appropriate. We have a full size 2010 Toyota Tundra SR5 TRD with a 5.7 liter V-8 and a rated towing capacity of 10,000 lbs. It’s been a great truck so far and has on… --- ## [How/Why Did the Judean Israelis Migrate to Russia and Poland?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-why-did-the-judean-israelis-migrate-to-russia-and-poland/720033)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-why-did-the-judean-israelis-migrate-to-russia-and-poland/720033 "2015-05-16T00:20:48Z")
The Ashkenazic Jews seem to have been noticed in Western Russia and Poland, by about the year 800 AD. Is there any reason why they chose to live in such a cold and different climate than Judea? If we accept that the mig… --- ## [Does pleading guilty to sexual assault in Virginia require allocution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pleading-guilty-to-sexual-assault-in-virginia-require-allocution/720065)
**Author:** [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2015, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pleading-guilty-to-sexual-assault-in-virginia-require-allocution/720065 "2015-05-16T00:16:44Z")
Hi, in the Magic the Gathering Community there’s been a furor over the fact that a commentator on the recent Grand Prix Atlantic City top 8(meaning final 8 competitors) was a convicted rapist(or technically aggravated se… --- ## [Is there a short non-racist substitute for "Indian giver"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-short-non-racist-substitute-for-indian-giver/668078)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-short-non-racist-substitute-for-indian-giver/668078 "2015-05-15T21:29:58Z")
The term “Indian giver” to mean someone who gives something and then takes it back has racist origins and so I don’t use it. However the concept of someone taking back a gift is a useful in certain situations and it wou… --- ## [Oh my Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-my-goddess/719518)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2015, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-my-goddess/719518 "2015-05-15T20:26:57Z")
Are there any supernatural entities in the Judeo-Christian pantheon that are female in name and/or nature? --- ## [Simple fluid pressure question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-fluid-pressure-question/720082)
**Author:** [@DaveBfd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveBfd)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2015, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-fluid-pressure-question/720082 "2015-05-15T15:47:57Z")
If we are exerting one unit of force on a fluid brake system, would it stop faster, slower, or neither, assuming a larger surface area near the brake pad compared to a smaller one? A friend’s client came in saying that … --- ## [Accounting/math problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accounting-math-problem/720003)
**Author:** [@Dumbguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dumbguy)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2015, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accounting-math-problem/720003 "2015-05-15T14:24:27Z")
I’m in the process of getting a divorce, and my wife and I agreed to split the profits from selling the house, in addition to settling a few other debts. It’s seems like a straightforward calculation, but I’m finding the… --- ## [Letting The Color Blind See Color](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/letting-the-color-blind-see-color/716252)
**Author:** [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2015, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/letting-the-color-blind-see-color/716252 "2015-05-15T13:56:14Z")
Apparently these EnCroma glasseswould make it possible for many color blind people see the missing colors. I didn’t know color blindness worked like that. Any of this making sense? The first thing I wondered is if it… --- ## [diabetes, low blood sugar, explanation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-low-blood-sugar-explanation/720102)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2015, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-low-blood-sugar-explanation/720102 "2015-05-15T13:24:53Z")
My fasting blood sugar historically had been in the mid to upper 90s with a couple at 101 and 102. I’ve cut out sugared soda and am exercising fairly well. I had a blood draw in the morning a couple hours after a 1.5 ho… --- ## [Color-changing powders...how can we do this safely at home?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/color-changing-powders-how-can-we-do-this-safely-at-home/720087)
**Author:** [@andrea\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrea_green)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2015, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/color-changing-powders-how-can-we-do-this-safely-at-home/720087 "2015-05-15T11:57:53Z")
I’m trying to help my little sister with a science fair project. Do you guys know of anything I can get that changes color when wet, either a powder or clay or sand? Or even a reaction that would take place that would ch… --- ## [Why do we want to curl our legs while doing pull-ups](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-want-to-curl-our-legs-while-doing-pull-ups/720029)
**Author:** [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2015, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-want-to-curl-our-legs-while-doing-pull-ups/720029 "2015-05-15T07:42:48Z")
I was working out the other day, and noticed that when I’m doing pull-ups, I have an unconscious desire to curl my legs while pulling myself up. Two questions really: Why does my body want to do this? Should I keep th… --- ## [Question about TA from the National Guard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ta-from-the-national-guard/719836)
**Author:** [@CaptainAmerica\_1987](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptainAmerica_1987)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2015, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ta-from-the-national-guard/719836 "2015-05-15T05:51:48Z")
If your in the National Guard I’ve read the National Guard will give you $4500 for college. Now is that just $4500 for the whole year or is per semester? Also can the $4500 be applied towards grad school? Thanks --- ## [How come self-driving trains aren't already the norm?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-self-driving-trains-arent-already-the-norm/720005)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2015, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-self-driving-trains-arent-already-the-norm/720005 "2015-05-15T04:00:09Z")
Isn’t the track itself, already wired and somewhat ‘smart’? --- ## [Can you survive on supplements?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-survive-on-supplements/719972)
**Author:** [@Ryanmiaku](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryanmiaku)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2015, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-survive-on-supplements/719972 "2015-05-15T03:00:02Z")
This question dug itself into my brain and it won’t leave. So here goes: Is it possible for a human to survive solely on vitamin supplements and water? People eat because they need nutrients, but what if you take pills t… --- ## [Solvents causing plastics to swell (methanol and PMMA/plexiglass)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solvents-causing-plastics-to-swell-methanol-and-pmma-plexiglass/717729)
**Author:** [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2015, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solvents-causing-plastics-to-swell-methanol-and-pmma-plexiglass/717729 "2015-05-15T01:51:26Z")
I’ve got a piece of electrophoresis equipment with two large parallel plate electrodes. One plate is supported by what looks like a big slab of PMMA (e.g. plexiglass or acrylic). That slab has been regularly developing… --- ## [What country has the most living former heads of government/state?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-country-has-the-most-living-former-heads-of-government-state/719778)
**Author:** [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2015, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-country-has-the-most-living-former-heads-of-government-state/719778 "2015-05-15T01:01:30Z")
Since we don’t have a forum for factual questions that are indeed mindless and pointless, I thought I’d start here. Which country currently has the most living former heads of government/state? Two guidelines: Countr… --- ## [Should I be worried (Windows question)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-windows-question/720049)
**Author:** [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2015, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-windows-question/720049 "2015-05-15T00:52:38Z")
Last night when I went to shut down my computer (Win 7 SP1) I got a message of don’t turn it off 24 updates to be installed This morning 8 hours later it showed it was on #14 I’ve never seen updates take this long. Sh… --- ## [Question RE the sensation associated to being hit in the nose.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-re-the-sensation-associated-to-being-hit-in-the-nose/720036)
**Author:** [@DaveBfd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveBfd)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-re-the-sensation-associated-to-being-hit-in-the-nose/720036 "2015-05-14T23:40:23Z")
I am trying to describe my seizures better, and was looking for input on ways to usefully describe some feelings. I sometimes get a sensation in my nose that I can only relate to a similar sensation I got when I was you… --- ## [What Does This Bumper Sticker Mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-bumper-sticker-mean/510372)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2013, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-bumper-sticker-mean/510372 "2013-03-04T14:09:25Z")
I had never seen this before in my life, and then I saw it twice today. A circle. Within the circle, the number 26.2. That’s it. Oh, and the second time I saw it, a circle with the number 13.1, and another next to it, w… --- ## [Popular sports cars people in Poland drive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sports-cars-people-in-poland-drive/719838)
**Author:** [@SHARKBITEATTACK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SHARKBITEATTACK)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sports-cars-people-in-poland-drive/719838 "2015-05-14T23:11:21Z")
Just wondering, here in america people have mustangs, camaros, Nissan Z’s, wrxs, and lancers. Do you see any of these cars in their country? If not what are the more popular sports cars people drive around and customize … --- ## [Cardio question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardio-question/719977)
**Author:** [@Doctor\_Why\_Bother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Why_Bother)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardio-question/719977 "2015-05-14T22:07:47Z")
I’ve heard that fasted cardio (ie. Cardio performed first thing in the morning on an empty stomach) is better for losing fat than regular cardio in the gym. My normal routine is to go to the gym at about 6pm and do abou… --- ## [MS Word Professional Plus 10 crashing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-professional-plus-10-crashing/720048)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-professional-plus-10-crashing/720048 "2015-05-14T21:52:23Z")
I’m having a problem with MS Word on my office computer. If I open an existing document, it crashes. When I re-open Word, it crashes again because it’s trying to open the document that crashed it in the first place. T… --- ## [I have a dam question and I would appreciate a dam answer.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-dam-question-and-i-would-appreciate-a-dam-answer/719993)
**Author:** [@Oddball\_92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oddball_92)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-dam-question-and-i-would-appreciate-a-dam-answer/719993 "2015-05-14T21:12:41Z")
First the background: In Texas, near the Dallas area there are two major reservoirs, Cedar Creek Reservoir and Richland Chambers Reservoir. Both of these were created by damming different forks (headwaters) of the Trinit… --- ## [Question about rotation (shuttle related)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-rotation-shuttle-related/479340)
**Author:** [@MerryMagdalen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MerryMagdalen)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-rotation-shuttle-related/479340 "2015-05-14T20:00:09Z")
So I’m staying up way too late because I have found the most recent released report on the Columbia disaster (link here) and I’m curious about one part, which states that the crew (who were all likely deceased at this po… --- ## [Any navigators here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-navigators-here/719707)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-navigators-here/719707 "2015-05-14T18:24:05Z")
Let’s assume I’m the navigator on a ship. Or the duty quartermaster. Or maybe the captain, it depends on the size of the ship. Anyway… At regular intervals, I plot our position on the chart and enter it in the log. If a… --- ## [Question about Subaru brakes noise](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-subaru-brakes-noise/719748)
**Author:** [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-subaru-brakes-noise/719748 "2015-05-14T17:29:08Z")
Out of the clear blue sky, I was moving my 2011 Subaru Forrester into the garage tonight and when I stepped on the brakes I heard the most awful noise. It seemed awfully loud, can’t quite describe it but it sounded like… --- ## [Problems with the "Folded Paper" Analogy to Describe Wormholes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-the-folded-paper-analogy-to-describe-wormholes/719992)
**Author:** [@madmelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmelon)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-the-folded-paper-analogy-to-describe-wormholes/719992 "2015-05-14T17:16:03Z")
The concept of a wormhole in theoretical physics has often been described with a 2D analogy. The recent movie Interstellar referenced the common the approach of folding a piece of paper, then poking a hole thru both halv… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1113) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1115)