# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=331 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 332 --- ## [Gravity and time dilation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravity-and-time-dilation/920109)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2020, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravity-and-time-dilation/920109 "2020-09-16T11:58:14Z")
I have a rough understanding that clocks run slower the deeper you are in a gravitational field. There’s even a simple equation for the situation of a spherical nonrotating mass, which I will link to because I don’t know… --- ## [What orbital setup allows for the 'most' solar eclipses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-orbital-setup-allows-for-the-most-solar-eclipses/920226)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2020, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-orbital-setup-allows-for-the-most-solar-eclipses/920226 "2020-09-16T11:07:31Z")
Let’s start with the Earth-Moon system, but tweak it so that we can get the ‘most’ total solar eclipses possible. Obviously if we put the Moon into an orbit in the Earth’s orbital plane, we’d get a total solar eclipse so… --- ## [Judge: "You can either join the Army or go to jail."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-you-can-either-join-the-army-or-go-to-jail/920469)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2020, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-you-can-either-join-the-army-or-go-to-jail/920469 "2020-09-15T23:52:05Z")
What happens if the guy, after joining the Army, then gets kicked out? Either by being too dumb/unruly/out of shape to get through basic training; by getting accidentally injured during training; or manages to get throug… --- ## [Campaign Funds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/campaign-funds/920719)
**Author:** [@Ptolomy57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ptolomy57)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2020, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/campaign-funds/920719 "2020-09-15T22:38:43Z")
When the General Election is over, what happens to any surplus campaign funds? If they are retained in the candidate’s coffers, I assume the same laws that apply to proper use as during the election itself? Or, do these … --- ## [How does a blind person know when they're done wiping?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-blind-person-know-when-theyre-done-wiping/920204)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2020, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-blind-person-know-when-theyre-done-wiping/920204 "2020-09-15T19:27:20Z")
Hello Everyone, Question circulating work today is how does a blind person know when they’re done wiping after having a bowel movement? I realize that it was said in jest, but I’m actually curious now. This seems lik… --- ## [How long will a 12v lead battery run a laptop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-a-12v-lead-battery-run-a-laptop/920441)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2020, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-a-12v-lead-battery-run-a-laptop/920441 "2020-09-15T16:13:09Z")
I’m considering a solar system to work on the road with my laptop. THe laptop is rated at 65 watts. I know 12v lead acid batteries come in many flavors, but lets just pick a more or less standard 44Ah, 720Amp battery. H… --- ## [Richard ramirez the night stalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-ramirez-the-night-stalker/920625)
**Author:** [@breakneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breakneck)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2020, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-ramirez-the-night-stalker/920625 "2020-09-15T15:06:20Z")
Is it true serial killer Richard Ramirez got married while in prison was allowed to have sex with his new wife and had a child with her ? how can this be true and happen is this punishment for taking multiple lives ? --- ## [TV Casino Commercial. “This is not a gambling website.” Huh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-casino-commercial-this-is-not-a-gambling-website-huh/920071)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2020, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-casino-commercial-this-is-not-a-gambling-website-huh/920071 "2020-09-15T14:30:01Z")
There are quite a few TV commercials showing “VIPs” in suits gambling in a virtual casino. What’s the deal with the fine print? “Free play only”. “This is not a gambling website.” The impression is everything but. W… --- ## [Anti Forest Fire Lightening Rods](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-forest-fire-lightening-rods/920424)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2020, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-forest-fire-lightening-rods/920424 "2020-09-15T10:50:50Z")
I was just looking at reports of the fires out west. I see mention that one was caused by a person who is now under arrest. The others seem to probably been caused by lightening strikes. OK, so what if we put up ten tho… --- ## [How big were the largest Moon rocks brought back from the apollo misions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-were-the-largest-moon-rocks-brought-back-from-the-apollo-misions/920622)
**Author:** [@breakneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breakneck)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2020, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-were-the-largest-moon-rocks-brought-back-from-the-apollo-misions/920622 "2020-09-15T09:23:11Z")
What size and weight were the largest moon rocks that were brought back from the apollo missions ? --- ## [Income Tax payable by law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/income-tax-payable-by-law/920624)
**Author:** [@breakneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breakneck)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2020, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/income-tax-payable-by-law/920624 "2020-09-15T02:34:24Z")
Is it true that paying your income tax is a voluntary thing? That ther is no law that states that you must pay or the irs is coming for your house possesions and even coming for you ? jail --- ## [To What Extent Can Someone 'Out' An Undercover Police Operation Without It Being A Crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-can-someone-out-an-undercover-police-operation-without-it-being-a-crime/920571)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2020, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-can-someone-out-an-undercover-police-operation-without-it-being-a-crime/920571 "2020-09-14T23:59:09Z")
Year ago, the Springfield (IL) Police Department did one of those stings where they round up people with outstanding warrants under the guise of telling them they’ve won some prize and all they have to do is collect it. … --- ## [If you are buying an exceptionally expensive car do you need to prove to the dealer you can afford it before getting a test drive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-buying-an-exceptionally-expensive-car-do-you-need-to-prove-to-the-dealer-you-can-afford-it-before-getting-a-test-drive/920480)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2020, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-buying-an-exceptionally-expensive-car-do-you-need-to-prove-to-the-dealer-you-can-afford-it-before-getting-a-test-drive/920480 "2020-09-14T21:02:38Z")
Title kinda says it all. Let’s say you want to test drive a Bugatti Veyron which is near $2 million in price. I assume there would be a lot of people who would love to pretend they are in the market to buy one just to … --- ## [MacBook with Mail yahoo question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-with-mail-yahoo-question/920598)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2020, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-with-mail-yahoo-question/920598 "2020-09-14T20:45:29Z")
I have a couple of yahoo accounts which are essential to my life, especially the archives which go back with years of important work-related correspondence. Now I keep getting messages from Yahoo about something or other… --- ## [Outdoor "YAGI" cellphone signal antenna](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-yagi-cellphone-signal-antenna/919272)
**Author:** [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2020, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-yagi-cellphone-signal-antenna/919272 "2020-09-14T15:45:02Z")
Hello everyone. I have just purchased a cellphone signal booster “kit” and I have a question pertaining to the “YAGI” outdoor cellphone signal antenna that was included in this kit… How high off the ground does a “YAGI… --- ## [Can the government compel you to lie?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-government-compel-you-to-lie/920555)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2020, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-government-compel-you-to-lie/920555 "2020-09-14T14:02:47Z")
Inspired by this thread. In the United States, is it possible for Law…at some level, be it federal, state, county, or municipal…make a citizen, under penalty (fines, arrest, imprisonment) to not simply believe but prof… --- ## [Electronics fuse question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electronics-fuse-question/920492)
**Author:** [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2020, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electronics-fuse-question/920492 "2020-09-14T03:09:24Z")
I have a blown fuse on a controller for a piece of equipment I have. The fuse is mounted inside the control box by the circuit board. It has what I always called a Buss fuse (although that is probably the brand name) whi… --- ## [Anyone remember ‘hooked on the high’ drug education?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-remember-hooked-on-the-high-drug-education/920394)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2020, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-remember-hooked-on-the-high-drug-education/920394 "2020-09-14T03:05:11Z")
This would have been in the 80s and was a weird theory I was taught that you don’t get addicted to a drug, you get addicted to the euphoria. To me, this sounds ridiculous today. If I’ve been doing heroin for a year, a ta… --- ## [Can you copyright a lie?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-copyright-a-lie/920343)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2020, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-copyright-a-lie/920343 "2020-09-14T00:33:11Z")
In the thread Tell us an interesting random fact you stumbled across starting with this post it comes out that Trivial Pursuit had been copying a lot of it’s trivia questions and answers from Fred L. Worth’s books , auth… --- ## [IT people...some VLAN questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-people-some-vlan-questions/920225)
**Author:** [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2020, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-people-some-vlan-questions/920225 "2020-09-13T03:13:22Z")
At my small business, we have about 30 or so devices (plus wifi enabled phones) connected to our network, all of them wired and it seems we’re always adding more. A handful of those are IP cameras and a NAS dedicated to… --- ## [Carrying a strong magnet in my luggage. Anything to keep in mind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-strong-magnet-in-my-luggage-anything-to-keep-in-mind/919934)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2020, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-strong-magnet-in-my-luggage-anything-to-keep-in-mind/919934 "2020-09-13T02:20:55Z")
I bought a magnetic levitation toy the other day that involves spinning a gyroscopic top on a magnetic base to get it floating in mid air. The base contains a rather strong magnet. In a couple of days I’m going to take a… --- ## [Craig's List Cashier's check Scam, How does it work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigs-list-cashiers-check-scam-how-does-it-work/919157)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2020, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigs-list-cashiers-check-scam-how-does-it-work/919157 "2020-09-13T00:51:46Z")
I’m using Craig’s list for the first time and I think I’m being scammed but don’t know how it works. I just received a cashier’s check out of nowhere from a person I don’t know. I think this is related to an item I’m se… --- ## [What to look for in power strip to prevent tripping](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-look-for-in-power-strip-to-prevent-tripping/919945)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2020, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-look-for-in-power-strip-to-prevent-tripping/919945 "2020-09-12T22:49:04Z")
I am running cooking appliances that keep tripping (knocking out) my surge protector/power strips. Instant pot, induction burner, etc. What do I look for in a power strip/surge protector to try and get one that can take… --- ## [Freezing/updating problem on my computer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freezing-updating-problem-on-my-computer/920389)
**Author:** [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2020, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freezing-updating-problem-on-my-computer/920389 "2020-09-12T21:17:56Z")
I’ve been using Windows 10 on my new computer for as long as I’ve had it, mainly because, well, that’s what came with it, and I have to say…on the whole, it’s really good. I’ve never had it crash on me even once, it does… --- ## [Term for words that seem like opposites but actually mean the same thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-words-that-seem-like-opposites-but-actually-mean-the-same-thing/920367)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2020, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-words-that-seem-like-opposites-but-actually-mean-the-same-thing/920367 "2020-09-12T19:26:11Z")
Is there a term for words that seem like they should be opposites, but are actually synonyms? Examples: flammable/inflammable habitable/inhabitable valuable/invaluable bar/debar terminate/exterminate void/devoid --- ## [Origin of the Jeancola name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-jeancola-name/920435)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2020, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-jeancola-name/920435 "2020-09-12T16:52:55Z")
The various genealogy sites don’t offer a basis for this surname. --- ## [Movable tables/platforms to go through a swamp - used in a comic - ANY real basis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movable-tables-platforms-to-go-through-a-swamp-used-in-a-comic-any-real-basis/920397)
**Author:** [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movable-tables-platforms-to-go-through-a-swamp-used-in-a-comic-any-real-basis/920397 "2020-09-12T16:20:45Z")
I was thinking about a Donald Duck comic book story from 1956, The Secret of Hondorica. In it Donald and his nephews needed to cross a very shallow river infested with crocodiles. The nephews got the solution from their … --- ## [Can the president issue a blanket pardon or does he need to enumerate each crime being pardoned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-president-issue-a-blanket-pardon-or-does-he-need-to-enumerate-each-crime-being-pardoned/920164)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2020, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-president-issue-a-blanket-pardon-or-does-he-need-to-enumerate-each-crime-being-pardoned/920164 "2020-09-12T12:41:32Z")
Let’s say there is someone who has allegedly committed numerous crimes but hasn’t been indicted yet for any of them. Can the president issue a blanket pardon saying, “Person-X is hereby pardoned of any and all federal c… --- ## [Are there any at home ways to test if my body thermometers are registering the correct temperature?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-at-home-ways-to-test-if-my-body-thermometers-are-registering-the-correct-temperature/919816)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2020, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-at-home-ways-to-test-if-my-body-thermometers-are-registering-the-correct-temperature/919816 "2020-09-12T07:17:48Z")
I have a few oral thermometers at home, but they aren’t always consistent with each other. I have two oral and one touchless, but sometimes they can be off by a degree from each other. Regular thermometers can easily b… --- ## [Where can I ask for YouTube help?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-ask-for-youtube-help/920395)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2020, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-ask-for-youtube-help/920395 "2020-09-12T06:09:12Z")
I have tried Google, and I’ve tried to find a subreddit. I’m at my wits end for the day. It’s like Google wants to be difficult. Where can I ask about subtitles or notes or something on YT videos? In case that place is … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=330) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=332)