# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=237 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 238 --- ## [West Coast Equivalent to Cadillac Mountain in Acadia NP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069)
**Author:** [@Stana\_Claus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stana_Claus)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2021, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069 "2021-12-21T20:40:51Z")
Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island in Maine is noted as the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the United States and as such is the 1st place in the U.S. to receive the sun’s rays at s… --- ## [Electric Breaker Dominos - Is my apartment about to burst in flames?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-breaker-dominos-is-my-apartment-about-to-burst-in-flames/955577)
**Author:** [@edwin\_klockars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwin_klockars)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2021, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-breaker-dominos-is-my-apartment-about-to-burst-in-flames/955577 "2021-12-21T20:00:22Z")
I recently moved into a 1bdrm apartment and I’ve been experiencing a strange cascade of electrical issues over the last 72 hours or so and I’m wondering to what extent they’re all related. I believe the first issue was … --- ## [What weapon is this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this/956366)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2021, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this/956366 "2021-12-21T19:53:57Z")
Doper gun and WWII folks, please identify this firearm, carried by a German soldier during the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising: Stroop Report - Wikipedia Thanks. --- ## [Can the space station crew see satellites circling the earth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-space-station-crew-see-satellites-circling-the-earth/956375)
**Author:** [@PozhanPop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PozhanPop)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2021, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-space-station-crew-see-satellites-circling-the-earth/956375 "2021-12-21T15:06:47Z")
One a clear dark night it is quite easy to spot a few satellites in the sky. Can the space station crew see them above or below their orbit ? What about the space shuttle crew ? --- ## [What is this English grammar/syntax rule regarding contractions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-english-grammar-syntax-rule-regarding-contractions/956140)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2021, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-english-grammar-syntax-rule-regarding-contractions/956140 "2021-12-21T04:00:49Z")
Something I have noticed that ESL speakers sometimes do is to misuse contractions - specifically, word contractions that would be valid in some positions in a sentence, but are not valid in other positions (typically, wh… --- ## [Scanning a Check](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scanning-a-check/956370)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2021, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scanning-a-check/956370 "2021-12-21T02:18:57Z")
I cannot recall if I have already scanned a check for deposit or not. Consulting my account activity, it does not appear like I did. However, if one scans a check twice, what happen? Does the system give you a pop-i warn… --- ## [What happens if you sell a house, and don’t empty it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-you-sell-a-house-and-don-t-empty-it/953665)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2021, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-you-sell-a-house-and-don-t-empty-it/953665 "2021-12-21T00:00:39Z")
Say, I’m sick of my damn house, and all the crap in it. So, I list it, sell it, and then hand over the keys. I never mention the fact that it won’t be empty. The buyer comes to move in, and it’s full of 30 years worth … --- ## [Quester about router range](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quester-about-router-range/956264)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2021, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quester-about-router-range/956264 "2021-12-20T19:27:21Z")
Yet another computer question. I have a wifi router. It stays in one place. I have usually used my laptop at my desk which is on the other side of the room, probably around eight feet from the router. I recently signed… --- ## [Ramifications of dual citizen using his non-US passport to enter America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramifications-of-dual-citizen-using-his-non-us-passport-to-enter-america/956209)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2021, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramifications-of-dual-citizen-using-his-non-us-passport-to-enter-america/956209 "2021-12-20T07:28:37Z")
Let’s say that a dual US-French citizen decided to use his French passport to enter America rather than his U.S. passport (why, don’t ask.) What ramifications does this have? Is he allowed to stay in America indefinitel… --- ## [How much dark matter is there in the solar system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-dark-matter-is-there-in-the-solar-system/956197)
**Author:** [@EdwardFound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdwardFound)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2021, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-dark-matter-is-there-in-the-solar-system/956197 "2021-12-19T23:03:30Z")
Based on typical estimates of the galaxy’s dark-matter composition (and assuming it’s not terribly lumpy), how much would there be within the solar system - say within the orbit of Jupiter? Would it be the mass of a plan… --- ## [Skinny and Big-Boned People and the Predisposition to Fracture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skinny-and-big-boned-people-and-the-predisposition-to-fracture/956270)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2021, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skinny-and-big-boned-people-and-the-predisposition-to-fracture/956270 "2021-12-19T04:55:24Z")
I sometimes briefly watch football games on TV. And I can’t help but notice that some men are skinny. And some have rather more thick bone structure. And more than once this made me wonder. Are skinny people more predis… --- ## [Abortion laws of the past](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-laws-of-the-past/956199)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2021, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-laws-of-the-past/956199 "2021-12-18T21:23:47Z")
Before Roe v. Wade did the laws against having or performing an abortion have penalties closer to those against infanticide, or to the penalties for laws against birth control such as were in effect before Griswold v. Co… --- ## [Reddit app not available? Little help please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reddit-app-not-available-little-help-please/956247)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2021, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reddit-app-not-available-little-help-please/956247 "2021-12-18T16:31:48Z")
I just got a new phone. After I transferred everything from the old phone, I tried opening the Reddit app but I could not get it to open. So I deleted it with the intention of re-installing. However, when I got to the a… --- ## [Cell phone tower antennas different shape?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-tower-antennas-different-shape/956157)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2021, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-tower-antennas-different-shape/956157 "2021-12-18T00:10:56Z")
Lately I see some that are cylinders and not rectangles . Is this a new design? --- ## [Recursion in Python - How Does It Know to Unwind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recursion-in-python-how-does-it-know-to-unwind/600076)
**Author:** [@FrustratedIdiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrustratedIdiot)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2021, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recursion-in-python-how-does-it-know-to-unwind/600076 "2021-12-18T00:09:05Z")
I don’t know anything about programming, but I have decided to try to learn Python. One of the lessons I’m reading deals with recursion. Apparently, you can write a function that calls another function. The function c… --- ## [Copper sulfate in the fireplace: Is is dangerous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-sulfate-in-the-fireplace-is-is-dangerous/956189)
**Author:** [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2021, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-sulfate-in-the-fireplace-is-is-dangerous/956189 "2021-12-18T00:08:50Z")
I have a very old can of Sears Color Fire crystals. The idea was to shake some on your fireplace logs to add different colors to the flames. The can says it contains copper sulfate, and carries some cautions about contac… --- ## [People familiar with old-time mental asylums: Did doctors ever refuse to admit someone, because they didn't have a mental illness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-familiar-with-old-time-mental-asylums-did-doctors-ever-refuse-to-admit-someone-because-they-didnt-have-a-mental-illness/955963)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2021, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-familiar-with-old-time-mental-asylums-did-doctors-ever-refuse-to-admit-someone-because-they-didnt-have-a-mental-illness/955963 "2021-12-18T00:00:29Z")
I’m aware that there was once a time when people could be admitted to a mental health facility just on the say-so of another adult (often the husband) and a doctor. Were there ever people who weren’t admitted, because n… --- ## [Excel Question - VLookup with a partial match](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-vlookup-with-a-partial-match/956186)
**Author:** [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-vlookup-with-a-partial-match/956186 "2021-12-17T20:16:07Z")
I can do a VLookup where the lookup value contains wildcards to pull matches from the table array. So you could use &\*"Smith"\*& for the lookup value and match to John Smith Jr. But how can I do a lookup where the lookup … --- ## [Does a smoker box do anything a dedicated smoker can't?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-smoker-box-do-anything-a-dedicated-smoker-cant/956233)
**Author:** [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-smoker-box-do-anything-a-dedicated-smoker-cant/956233 "2021-12-17T19:39:48Z")
I’m trying to determine whether someone needs both. Smoker is one of the vertical ones where you put a tray of wood chips and a tray of water, food on racks above, and it is lit with either propane burner on the bottom o… --- ## ["Federal courts do not recognize the physician-patient privilege" Is this true, and if so, why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-courts-do-not-recognize-the-physician-patient-privilege-is-this-true-and-if-so-why/956222)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-courts-do-not-recognize-the-physician-patient-privilege-is-this-true-and-if-so-why/956222 "2021-12-17T16:30:17Z")
I was reading this website and section when the phrase “Federal courts do not recognize the physician-patient privilege.” This seems odd to me. Why would there be such an omission in the law? Is it just that it’s never s… --- ## [Driving force of an electron on earth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-force-of-an-electron-on-earth/956004)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-force-of-an-electron-on-earth/956004 "2021-12-17T14:45:17Z")
Probably a stupid question, but what is the engine or mechanism that keeps an electron moving? I’ve read that atoms are essentially forever, so I’m assuming so are their electrons. They have mass, so are the ones here o… --- ## [Hot riveting by hand: How common today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-riveting-by-hand-how-common-today/955549)
**Author:** [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-riveting-by-hand-how-common-today/955549 "2021-12-17T11:44:18Z")
I was watching this clip that showed a riveting team during the construction of the Chrysler building in 1920. A guy throws a red hot rivet to another who catches it and puts it into the joint and a third man hammers th… --- ## [Why are there so few words starting with N?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-few-words-starting-with-n/940708)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-few-words-starting-with-n/940708 "2021-12-17T11:44:01Z")
Relatively, of course. A visitor from another planet, completely unfamiliar with Earth languages, would naively assume that the words of English are distributed evenly among the letters of the alphabet. Of course, in ac… --- ## [The broader concept underlying "risk compensation"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-broader-concept-underlying-risk-compensation/956173)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-broader-concept-underlying-risk-compensation/956173 "2021-12-17T01:24:12Z")
Risk compensation - Wikipedia Risk compensation is a theory which suggests that people typically adjust their behavior in response to perceived levels of risk, becoming more careful where they sense greater risk and le… --- ## [Speed Limit Signs: When do you have to slow down? Do you have to be at the reduced speed at the sign or slow down at the sign?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-limit-signs-when-do-you-have-to-slow-down-do-you-have-to-be-at-the-reduced-speed-at-the-sign-or-slow-down-at-the-sign/953985)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-limit-signs-when-do-you-have-to-slow-down-do-you-have-to-be-at-the-reduced-speed-at-the-sign-or-slow-down-at-the-sign/953985 "2021-12-17T00:29:47Z")
Subject kinda says it all. Example: You are driving 55 mph (current speed limit) and see a speed limit sign that says 35 mph. Legally, do you have to be going 35 mph at that sign or do you have some distance after the… --- ## [What job are you most likely to die doing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-job-are-you-most-likely-to-die-doing/955591)
**Author:** [@turtlescanfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/turtlescanfly)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-job-are-you-most-likely-to-die-doing/955591 "2021-12-16T19:33:03Z")
I nominate President of the United States. Out of 45 Presidents so far ( remember Grover Cleveland was both 22nd and 24th), 4 were assassinated in office. This means it has fatality rate of 8.9%. I decided to exclude the… --- ## [Windows 10: Disabling default behavior of side/thumb buttons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-disabling-default-behavior-of-side-thumb-buttons/956077)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-disabling-default-behavior-of-side-thumb-buttons/956077 "2021-12-16T19:24:20Z")
Is there an easy, straightforward way, under Windows 10, to disable a specific mouse button function? Specifically, when web browsers detect these particular “extra” buttons on a mouse (in the case of my particular mous… --- ## [Question about levels of \_\_\_ after chemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-levels-of-after-chemo/955104)
**Author:** [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-levels-of-after-chemo/955104 "2021-12-16T06:12:13Z")
My friend has just gone through five very intense cycles of chemotherapy for lymphoma. He’s now in partial remission (with one more cycle to go, to be followed by a stem cell transplant). Apparently his remission is s… --- ## [Why are these ice sphere presses so expensive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460)
**Author:** [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460 "2021-12-16T02:37:37Z")
I believe I first came across these ice sphere presses in a gift catalog, but I’ve looked them up online and there are any number of different manufacturers and sites that sell them. https://www.williams-sonoma.com/prod… --- ## [What's the largest living animal species that could still plausibly be undiscovered yet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-largest-living-animal-species-that-could-still-plausibly-be-undiscovered-yet/954098)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-largest-living-animal-species-that-could-still-plausibly-be-undiscovered-yet/954098 "2021-12-16T00:56:07Z")
Small undiscovered species, such as insects, are a dime a dozen; entomologists find new bugs all the time. But are we at a point now where no living species as large as an elephant could still yet be undiscovered on Ear… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=236) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=238)