# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=157 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 158 --- ## [(probably ignorant) Particle Physics question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-ignorant-particle-physics-question/979550)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2023, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-ignorant-particle-physics-question/979550 "2023-02-24T08:33:40Z")
Let’s postulate that you have a muon in the brief time before it decays. At the same time, an electron is passing by with such high velocity that it’s relativistic mass equals that of the muon. Is the electron still fund… --- ## [What would happen to a broken space elevator?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-to-a-broken-space-elevator/978350)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2023, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-to-a-broken-space-elevator/978350 "2023-02-24T02:56:38Z")
Assume it’s somehow hooked to an orbiting platform in space (I don’t know all of the mechanical aspects of the space elevator idea). If it got disconnected, would it inevitably fall back to Earth (likely causing a lot of… --- ## [Do fingernail clippings or hair contain dna?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fingernail-clippings-or-hair-contain-dna/980195)
**Author:** [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2023, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fingernail-clippings-or-hair-contain-dna/980195 "2023-02-23T18:51:57Z")
Just curious. I think that there should be DNA in my fingernail clippings or hair, so I’m wondering why I just went through the process of spitting into a tube to give Ancestry.com a DNA sample. Is it lesser DNA in the c… --- ## [A fraternity/sorority question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fraternity-sorority-question/980219)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2023, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fraternity-sorority-question/980219 "2023-02-23T18:26:56Z")
I drove through Oneonta, NY last week. Oneonta is a relatively small city which has two colleges located in it. I drove by a frat house and I was wondering which college it was associated with. Now I wondering if it was… --- ## [How do I switch my default video player](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-switch-my-default-video-player/980248)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2023, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-switch-my-default-video-player/980248 "2023-02-23T18:15:22Z")
Once again Microsoft has attacked my computer. This isn’t the forum for me to fully describe this situation. Focusing on the issue at hand, one of the ways they “fixed” my computer was switching my default video player … --- ## [Rocket science question, getting to higher earth orbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocket-science-question-getting-to-higher-earth-orbit/980217)
**Author:** [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2023, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocket-science-question-getting-to-higher-earth-orbit/980217 "2023-02-23T17:23:31Z")
When you shoot a rocket into low earth orbit, I know it’s most fuel efficient to start the gravity turn relatively low in the atmosphere, usually well before max-Q is reached. When your target orbit is something way bey… --- ## [The Age of Stars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-age-of-stars/980102)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2023, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-age-of-stars/980102 "2023-02-23T15:42:40Z")
How do astronomers determine the approximate age of stars, given that changes to stars are measured on scales that far exceed the length of time humans have even been around to observe changes in stars? --- ## [How would astronauts on the moon receive TV broadcasts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-astronauts-on-the-moon-receive-tv-broadcasts/979495)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2023, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-astronauts-on-the-moon-receive-tv-broadcasts/979495 "2023-02-23T15:11:01Z")
This was inspired by watching For All Mankind on Apple TV+. \[Super tiny spoilers ahead.\] In season 2, the US has established a pretty solid moonbase near the moon’s South Pole. At one point, the astronauts are watching a… --- ## [Kindle library on Android device - how to rename a collection?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-library-on-android-device-how-to-rename-a-collection/980229)
**Author:** [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2023, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-library-on-android-device-how-to-rename-a-collection/980229 "2023-02-23T08:33:01Z")
I like to think I’m reasonably technically competent, but I cannot figure out how to rename a collection in the Kindle app on my Android 13 tablet, or in the Web interface on Amazon. Google was not helpful either. I kept… --- ## [What would a deep Antarctic ice wall look like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-deep-antarctic-ice-wall-look-like/979158)
**Author:** [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2023, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-deep-antarctic-ice-wall-look-like/979158 "2023-02-23T07:02:58Z")
Parts of the Antarctic ice sheet touch bedrock that is thousands of feet under current mean sea level. Assume that the ice sheets have retreated to those points. (The time scale of this retreat doesn’t matter.) Would th… --- ## [How to construct a 4-Screen (7680px × 1080px) outdoor video display](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-construct-a-4-screen-7680px-x-1080px-outdoor-video-display/980131)
**Author:** [@MozeJose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MozeJose)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2023, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-construct-a-4-screen-7680px-x-1080px-outdoor-video-display/980131 "2023-02-23T06:35:13Z")
I have a video that is 7680px × 1080px, and I need to display it outdoors. I’m have no idea where to start figuring out the best way to execute this. Obviously, I can buy four displays, mount them side-by-side in a wate… --- ## [I want to build Titanic II !](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-build-titanic-ii/800807)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2023, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-build-titanic-ii/800807 "2023-02-23T05:14:35Z")
Let’s suppose my distant Piper cousin who made billions in Silicone Valley croaks and leaves his billions to me. I decide I want to re-create the Titanic experience. I want to re-build it and sail from Southampton to Ne… --- ## [Deconvolving diffraction spikes in Webb images](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deconvolving-diffraction-spikes-in-webb-images/980149)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2023, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deconvolving-diffraction-spikes-in-webb-images/980149 "2023-02-23T00:07:13Z")
I’ve wondered about this generally for decades, and especially recently as Webb came online and we see photos with those six diffraction spikes and the two smaller ones. There is information in those spikes. They provide… --- ## [What's the actual meaning of "If you don't develop schizophrenia by 30, you most likely never will?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-actual-meaning-of-if-you-dont-develop-schizophrenia-by-30-you-most-likely-never-will/979670)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2023, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-actual-meaning-of-if-you-dont-develop-schizophrenia-by-30-you-most-likely-never-will/979670 "2023-02-22T21:57:47Z")
I’ve read it in many forms, but the truism is something like “If you have no signs of schizophrenia by age 30, you most likely won’t ever have it, even if people in your family did.” What I’m trying to understand is - d… --- ## [Did actual grenadiers win any battles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-actual-grenadiers-win-any-battles/979330)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2023, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-actual-grenadiers-win-any-battles/979330 "2023-02-22T19:02:59Z")
So the term grenadier originally referred to soldiers who throw grenades. They were physically larger, stronger, specially trained troops meant for hurling grenades at the enemy. Eventually the European powers worked o… --- ## [Diagnose this guitar amp problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diagnose-this-guitar-amp-problem/979887)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2023, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diagnose-this-guitar-amp-problem/979887 "2023-02-21T20:09:40Z")
I have a Hendriksen JazzAmp that suddenly started making crackling/popping sounds. At first I thought it was line noise from the guitar but it continued when I unplugged the guitar. Then it even continued faintly after I… --- ## [How to fix sputtering Bluetooth speaker connection?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-fix-sputtering-bluetooth-speaker-connection/980144)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2023, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-fix-sputtering-bluetooth-speaker-connection/980144 "2023-02-21T15:53:15Z")
My JBL speaker has served me well for 2 years. My primary phone updated to Android 13. Since then I can’t play music through the JBL speaker without it sputtering. The short stops and starts are very annoying. It happe… --- ## [Prior to the 2014 invasion of Ukraine, was there any evidence of ethnic cleansing of Russians?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prior-to-the-2014-invasion-of-ukraine-was-there-any-evidence-of-ethnic-cleansing-of-russians/980042)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2023, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prior-to-the-2014-invasion-of-ukraine-was-there-any-evidence-of-ethnic-cleansing-of-russians/980042 "2023-02-21T08:29:23Z")
I want to be clear that I am asking for factual responses, to the best it’s possible. If this evolves into a debate later, fine, but I’m not looking to stir up trouble. I’ll explain: Over in the Trumpy parts of the int… --- ## [Converting Excel Time to Elapsed Seconds - Problem with Fractional Seconds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-excel-time-to-elapsed-seconds-problem-with-fractional-seconds/980088)
**Author:** [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2023, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-excel-time-to-elapsed-seconds-problem-with-fractional-seconds/980088 "2023-02-21T05:03:42Z")
There have been a few questions about converting Excel times in cells (0:00:00.0) in other threads, but I haven’t found the answer to this specific issue. I have times in a column formatted as above. Each time uses fra… --- ## [How old is Sagittarius A\*?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-sagittarius-a/980072)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2023, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-sagittarius-a/980072 "2023-02-21T04:49:28Z")
How old is it? What would be the process for a supermassive black hole to form? Is it because of its location at the Centre of the galaxy? (Question spawned by the discussion on destroying floppy disks.) --- ## [How do I delete a corrupt zombie file in Win 10?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-delete-a-corrupt-zombie-file-in-win-10/980025)
**Author:** [@Mortimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mortimus)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2023, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-delete-a-corrupt-zombie-file-in-win-10/980025 "2023-02-21T01:56:21Z")
I can’t delete it, move it, rename it or do anything with it. I tried using cmd, no joy there either. It’s like the file exists but it doesn’t. So I tried deleting the whole folder, nope can’t do that either. Somehow… --- ## [Is an old PC PSU "safe" to mess with?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-an-old-pc-psu-safe-to-mess-with/980097)
**Author:** [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2023, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-an-old-pc-psu-safe-to-mess-with/980097 "2023-02-20T19:52:55Z")
I gave my 7 y/o an old Dell PC to take apart. He’s steadily worked his way to where the last thing out was the power supply. I opened the PSU so he could look inside, but I was hesitant to let him poke around inside be… --- ## [Dangerous to be on a battleship when 16" guns are fired?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangerous-to-be-on-a-battleship-when-16-guns-are-fired/978899)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2023, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangerous-to-be-on-a-battleship-when-16-guns-are-fired/978899 "2023-02-20T03:42:54Z")
in a 1988 made-for-TV movie in which Rick Schroeder plays the part of an underaged WW2 sailor serving combat duty on a battleship, one of the details is that sailors on deck are supposed to retreat below deck (for safety… --- ## ["Location Specialist Jackson" -- This phone call is a scam, right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/location-specialist-jackson-this-phone-call-is-a-scam-right/978457)
**Author:** [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2023, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/location-specialist-jackson-this-phone-call-is-a-scam-right/978457 "2023-02-19T20:09:00Z")
For the past three days I’ve gotten voice mails on my cell phone, obviously a recording, from a guy saying that he is “Location specialist Jackson” trying to contact me about a pending claim which will become a matter of… --- ## [Is there an app to convert to only text (not ‘texting’)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-app-to-convert-to-only-text-not-texting/955796)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2023, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-app-to-convert-to-only-text-not-texting/955796 "2023-02-19T11:51:39Z")
Hey — my first FQ thread! Woo-hoo! :slight\_smile: I used to have an app (iOS) that stripped out any formatting and images and left only the text characters remaining. Is there still such an app? I must’ve deleted the ol… --- ## [Common Chimp, Bonobo, Human Hybrids](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-chimp-bonobo-human-hybrids/379823)
**Author:** [@ted\_baskerville\_yahoo.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ted_baskerville_yahoo.com)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2023, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-chimp-bonobo-human-hybrids/379823 "2023-02-19T06:12:20Z")
Can any two these animals be breed together? Has a chimp ever been crossed with bonobo? Is it possible to cross a human with either a chimp or bonobo? Would this be illegal? Where can I get some chimp or bonobo semen? H… --- ## [Christian doctrine (Calvinist?) about embodiment of irredeemable souls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-doctrine-calvinist-about-embodiment-of-irredeemable-souls/979499)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2023, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-doctrine-calvinist-about-embodiment-of-irredeemable-souls/979499 "2023-02-19T05:15:34Z")
I’m looking for a factual answer as to whether this is a recognized doctrine of a particular Christian faith, or just one dude’s personal belief: A Christian described a doctrine in response to the objection ‘what about… --- ## [A question for the yinzers on "speaking Pittsburgese"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-the-yinzers-on-speaking-pittsburgese/979839)
**Author:** [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2023, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-the-yinzers-on-speaking-pittsburgese/979839 "2023-02-18T23:53:58Z")
It seems every time I see a meme about speaking “Pittsburghese,” i see “redd-up” mentioned as meaning cleaning up. My dear mother-in-law has lived in Pittsburgh her entire life, and claims never to have heard anyone use … --- ## [How formal does a presidential order have to be to be an order?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-formal-does-a-presidential-order-have-to-be-to-be-an-order/964973)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2023, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-formal-does-a-presidential-order-have-to-be-to-be-an-order/964973 "2023-02-18T01:59:20Z")
Let’s say Biden, as Commander-in-Chief, is sitting in the White House situation room watching some stuff in Ukraine unfold on the TV screen and mumbles out of the corner of his mouth, “Bomb the (Russian) bastards.” It’s… --- ## [Need help with Excel Issue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-excel-issue/979915)
**Author:** [@Petek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petek)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2023, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-excel-issue/979915 "2023-02-18T01:27:17Z")
I’m not able to configure Excel to behave as desired. I hope that someone who has Excel (for Windows) can duplicate my issue. Please take the following steps: Create a shortcut to an Excel spreadsheet on your desktop. … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=156) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=158)