# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=200 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 201 --- ## [The simple science behind the pitch of xylophone keys (Need answer fastish)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-simple-science-behind-the-pitch-of-xylophone-keys-need-answer-fastish/966709)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2022, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-simple-science-behind-the-pitch-of-xylophone-keys-need-answer-fastish/966709 "2022-06-27T14:40:35Z")
I have been dragooned into teaching a STEAM music class for 9-11 year olds this summer and am working out the science part of the curriculum. (The is my second time posting a related question, and I just want to say that… --- ## [Is there anything you can take for your joints that has scientific evidence backing it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-you-can-take-for-your-joints-that-has-scientific-evidence-backing-it/966728)
**Author:** [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2022, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-you-can-take-for-your-joints-that-has-scientific-evidence-backing-it/966728 "2022-06-27T13:17:23Z")
Hello. I once had a roommate that took all sorts of exotic dietary supplements that he said were good for your joints and stopping joint pain. I took one for awhile but it seemed like it made things worse. I also do no… --- ## [Has a pizza place ever provided it's drivers with a car instead of just using the employees own provided car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-a-pizza-place-ever-provided-its-drivers-with-a-car-instead-of-just-using-the-employees-own-provided-car/966722)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2022, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-a-pizza-place-ever-provided-its-drivers-with-a-car-instead-of-just-using-the-employees-own-provided-car/966722 "2022-06-26T22:41:26Z")
I know it’s almost always expected for someone applying to be a pizza delivery driver provide his own vehicle, but I’m wondering if ever (either early on or on a chain by chain basis) has there ever been a vehicle the pi… --- ## [What jeans are these?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jeans-are-these/966828)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2022, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jeans-are-these/966828 "2022-06-26T22:35:10Z")
The top photo of this article of the jeans with the golden buttons: This isn’t a very good article by the way, but I tried to google image search the photo, and it’s clearly being used as a kind of stock photo in a bu… --- ## [Different styles of roundabouts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-styles-of-roundabouts/966569)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2022, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-styles-of-roundabouts/966569 "2022-06-26T14:33:26Z")
I’ve seen mention here and there about continental roundabouts and British roundabouts. Continental meaning those in Europe, of course. US roundabouts are apparently very similar to continental. Now I’m very familiar wi… --- ## [Whence Pluto's moon "Charon"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whence-plutos-moon-charon/966638)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2022, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whence-plutos-moon-charon/966638 "2022-06-26T03:54:05Z")
Back in the day science fiction writers fixed upon the name Persephone for any moon that might eventually be discovered circling Pluto. But it was not to be- we got Charon. How did Persephone lose out? --- ## [Who ordered Attorney General Elliot Richardson and acting Attorney General William Ruckelshaus to fire special Watergate prosecutor Archibald Cox during the "Saturday Night Massacre" in October 1973?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-ordered-attorney-general-elliot-richardson-and-acting-attorney-general-william-ruckelshaus-to-fire-special-watergate-prosecutor-archibald-cox-during-the-saturday-night-massacre-in-october-1973/966737)
**Author:** [@cannonkuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cannonkuo)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2022, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-ordered-attorney-general-elliot-richardson-and-acting-attorney-general-william-ruckelshaus-to-fire-special-watergate-prosecutor-archibald-cox-during-the-saturday-night-massacre-in-october-1973/966737 "2022-06-26T03:40:50Z")
Who ordered Attorney General Elliot Richardson and acting Attorney General William Ruckelshaus to fire special Watergate prosecutor Archibald Cox during the “Saturday Night Massacre” in October 1973? Wikipedia says it… --- ## [Android phone screen displays but is unresponsive, can't shut down phone; are there any short term workarounds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-phone-screen-displays-but-is-unresponsive-cant-shut-down-phone-are-there-any-short-term-workarounds/966660)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2022, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-phone-screen-displays-but-is-unresponsive-cant-shut-down-phone-are-there-any-short-term-workarounds/966660 "2022-06-26T03:25:22Z")
At some point during the day, the touchscreen response on my Android phone failed. Or more precisely, most of the screen became noticeably darker (though still displaying everything) and stopped responding to touch. Som… --- ## ["Odd sized food containers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-sized-food-containers/966777)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2022, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-sized-food-containers/966777 "2022-06-26T00:57:39Z")
Do you have thoughts as to why certain food products are packaged in the size containers they are? I guess a part of me sort of expects food to be packaged in “whole” multiples of units - either Imperial or metric. A g… --- ## [Why are word counts and 'proof service' required for amicus briefs submitted to SCOTUS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-word-counts-and-proof-service-required-for-amicus-briefs-submitted-to-scotus/966852)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2022, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-word-counts-and-proof-service-required-for-amicus-briefs-submitted-to-scotus/966852 "2022-06-25T21:58:52Z")
I was skimming through the amicus briefs submitted to the Supreme Court for a recent case and noticed that each brief was accompanied by three documents (i.e. 'Main Document, ‘Certificate of Word Count’, and a notarized… --- ## [What are the fake rocks all about?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2022, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554 "2022-06-25T20:49:18Z")
I’ve seen and noticed these large fake rocks in front of fast food restaurants and certain businesses. What are they hidin’? Hey! I should start a rumor online. “Yeah, people it’s the government, those rocks watch us.… --- ## [Can I filter out ozone with a face mask?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-filter-out-ozone-with-a-face-mask/966849)
**Author:** [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2022, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-filter-out-ozone-with-a-face-mask/966849 "2022-06-25T17:38:36Z")
We’ve been under ozone air quality warnings. They tell me to take it easy, and don’t go outside unnecessarily. I have 2 kinds of NIOSH-rated industrial filter masks; one with big pink filters for particulates, and the ot… --- ## [Are polar bears obligate carnivores?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-polar-bears-obligate-carnivores/845293)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2022, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-polar-bears-obligate-carnivores/845293 "2022-06-25T03:04:55Z")
I’ve seen them described that way, based on their diet being almost entirely meat. But what I’m wondering is if that might possibly be simply because their habitat (which they are adapted for) happens to have not much in… --- ## [Luminous flux of the Sun](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/luminous-flux-of-the-sun/966716)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2022, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/luminous-flux-of-the-sun/966716 "2022-06-25T01:03:07Z")
NASA gives the luminosity of the Sun as 382.8 \\times 10^{24} \\text{ J/s}. I assume this is radiant power since it is given in watts. Georgia State University says I can convert radiant power to luminous flux by an effici… --- ## [Are heat pumps the best choice for heating/cooling a home?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-heat-pumps-the-best-choice-for-heating-cooling-a-home/966586)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2022, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-heat-pumps-the-best-choice-for-heating-cooling-a-home/966586 "2022-06-24T19:55:02Z")
A recent thread here was talking about how a power plant works and heat pumps were mentioned. I have seen a few videos recently touting the advantages of a heat pump to heat/cool your home (see some below). But, while … --- ## [Why are car a/c systems so prone to breaking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-car-a-c-systems-so-prone-to-breaking/966553)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2022, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-car-a-c-systems-so-prone-to-breaking/966553 "2022-06-24T18:31:23Z")
ISTM that the a/c system is perhaps the part of the car most prone to needing repairs. And if you compare a/c in cars to a/c in houses, or even mobile units, the car systems are far more likely to need repairs. In partic… --- ## [Question for German speakers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-german-speakers/966677)
**Author:** [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2022, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-german-speakers/966677 "2022-06-24T14:55:28Z")
Someone told me today that as a child she learned that the German expression for “have a nice trip” or “bon voyage” is “Gut Fahrt”, which of course is hilarious to English-speaking children. My vague memory is that in sc… --- ## [Why do we breath quick and long when in pain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-breath-quick-and-long-when-in-pain/965620)
**Author:** [@longtry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/longtry)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2022, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-breath-quick-and-long-when-in-pain/965620 "2022-06-24T03:46:15Z")
By saying “we”, I was generalizing our reaction based on individual self-observation, so if you experience otherwise, please enlighten me. I hit my shin to the table’s edge just now. In the midst of pain, I noticed that… --- ## [Runaways "aging out"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/runaways-aging-out/966558)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2022, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/runaways-aging-out/966558 "2022-06-24T02:35:09Z")
I believe when minors runaway from home, they are somewhat considered criminals merely for that. As in, even if they have done nothing that would be considered illegal if they were adult, they can be detained by police,… --- ## [UK construction practice: plaster over drywall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-construction-practice-plaster-over-drywall/966334)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2022, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-construction-practice-plaster-over-drywall/966334 "2022-06-24T01:44:34Z")
We’ve been watching Grand Designs, and have noticed something that, as an American, strikes me as a little strange. Quite a few projects seem to install drywall and then cover the entire surface of the wallboard with a t… --- ## [How are poxes named?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-poxes-named/966507)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2022, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-poxes-named/966507 "2022-06-24T01:20:09Z")
Smallpox, monkeypox, chickenpox, cowpox… How are poxes named? I know that cowpox was first discovered in people who were in contact with cows. Dis chickenpox come from chickens? Did smallpox come from children or Hobb… --- ## [BC/AD Year Dating Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bc-ad-year-dating-question/966146)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bc-ad-year-dating-question/966146 "2022-06-23T21:16:37Z")
I was reading about the philosopher Seneca the Younger who was born in 4 BC and died in 65 AD. According to Wikipedia, BC and AD usage wasn’t around at the time Seneca was alive. “There is no year zero in this scheme; t… --- ## [What disorder causes people to get angry for unusual reasons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-disorder-causes-people-to-get-angry-for-unusual-reasons/966515)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-disorder-causes-people-to-get-angry-for-unusual-reasons/966515 "2022-06-23T20:07:00Z")
Growing up, my mother would sometimes get angry for very strange reasons, such as if I chose a piece of red candy rather than blue candy, or if I slapped a mosquito and there was blood on my skin as a result. It wasn’t … --- ## [A Biblical question: Judges 7:5-6-7](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-biblical-question-judges-7-5-6-7/966532)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-biblical-question-judges-7-5-6-7/966532 "2022-06-23T19:53:57Z")
So in these passages, God is getting ready to attack the Midianites, but he thinks Gideon has too many men for it to be a real miracle victory. So he tells Gideon to have the men drink from a stream. Some lap up the wate… --- ## [Why not more high-wing aircraft?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-more-high-wing-aircraft/966359)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-more-high-wing-aircraft/966359 "2022-06-23T19:40:22Z")
A few large planes have been designed and built with wings that attach at the top of the fuselage instead of the bottom. Examples include the C-5, C-130, and C-17. Having the wing high off of the ground reportedly allo… --- ## [Police touching cars they've pulled over](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-touching-cars-theyve-pulled-over/966557)
**Author:** [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-touching-cars-theyve-pulled-over/966557 "2022-06-23T17:25:21Z")
I’ve recently been watching videos of police pulling over speeding cars. It seems that whenever the cop walks to the car for the first time s/he always touches the rear of the car in some fashion. Is this done for a reas… --- ## [Curse of the Mac Dancing Icon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curse-of-the-mac-dancing-icon/966681)
**Author:** [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curse-of-the-mac-dancing-icon/966681 "2022-06-23T17:18:51Z")
My Mac (2020 MacBook Air) seems to think that I’m desperately in need of Apple TV. Almost every time I use the computer the Apple TV icon starts jumping up from the dock onto whatever page I’m viewing online, begging me … --- ## [Will "ballistic shields" stop rounds from an AR-15?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ballistic-shields-stop-rounds-from-an-ar-15/966620)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ballistic-shields-stop-rounds-from-an-ar-15/966620 "2022-06-23T16:45:42Z")
In the latest news of the school shooting in Uvalde, there’s mention of the police having access to handheld “ballistic shields”. The “ballistic” in the name suggests these aren’t plain old riot shields and can stop at … --- ## [Was "dead or alive" ever really a thing in the Wild West?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-dead-or-alive-ever-really-a-thing-in-the-wild-west/966675)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-dead-or-alive-ever-really-a-thing-in-the-wild-west/966675 "2022-06-23T16:24:04Z")
It’s a common trope in Western films and books: The wanted poster that mentions that the fugitive is wanted “dead or alive”. Was that ever really a thing? It sounds like medieval-style outlawry, whereby individuals forfe… --- ## [When was the last time a product lost trademark protection after its name became genericised?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-a-product-lost-trademark-protection-after-its-name-became-genericised/964484)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2022, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-a-product-lost-trademark-protection-after-its-name-became-genericised/964484 "2022-06-23T13:54:12Z")
Lots of the names we used to describe entire groups of products were, once upon a time, trade marks for a specific brand that ended up becoming genericised and basically anyone could legally call their product by that na… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=199) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=201)