# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=37 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 38 --- ## [Steam locomotive "cheeks"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-locomotive-cheeks/479347)
**Author:** [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2025, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-locomotive-cheeks/479347 "2025-07-17T23:15:36Z")
On some steam locomotives, what are the purpose of the vertical plates which stick out either side from the front of the boiler, a bit like cheeks? Example picture. --- ## [Geological properties of lithium + Farming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geological-properties-of-lithium-farming/1020977)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2025, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geological-properties-of-lithium-farming/1020977 "2025-07-17T17:46:37Z")
I’m curious whether there might have used to have been a greater concentration of lithium in the top soil of farms (e.g. hundreds or thousands of years ago). E.g. if we assume that the most common behavior of humans is … --- ## [How easy is it for a neutrino to pass through a neutron star?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-is-it-for-a-neutrino-to-pass-through-a-neutron-star/1020855)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2025, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-is-it-for-a-neutrino-to-pass-through-a-neutron-star/1020855 "2025-07-17T17:41:04Z")
I’ve often heard that it would take so many light years of lead to block half of the neutrinos that might otherwise pass through it. Neutronium is substantially denser than lead. How much neutronium is required to bloc… --- ## [How precise are these coordinates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-precise-are-these-coordinates/999621)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2025, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-precise-are-these-coordinates/999621 "2025-07-17T17:10:19Z")
I do a lot of photo identification on Vintageaerial.com. When I pin the location of a photo I describe the location in simple terms like, “north side of Cecil St just west of Adams Rd.” Occasionally I will use an actual … --- ## [A question on Planck length](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-on-planck-length/984178)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2025, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-on-planck-length/984178 "2025-07-17T16:24:47Z")
From a purely mathematical view, the Planck length comes about when you normalize the speed of light (c), the Boltzmann constant (kb), the gravitational constant (G) and the reduced Planck constant (h - bar) to a value o… --- ## [Is lithium a micronutrient?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lithium-a-micronutrient/1020944)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2025, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lithium-a-micronutrient/1020944 "2025-07-17T13:50:05Z")
Currently the official RDA of lithium is zero; and it is known to be accumulative in the body meaning that intake for medical reasons like treating bipolar syndrome has to be carefully monitored. That said, lithium is so… --- ## [How does the Portuguese Man o' War work? (Zooids and colonial organisms)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-portuguese-man-o-war-work-zooids-and-colonial-organisms/1020925)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2025, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-portuguese-man-o-war-work-zooids-and-colonial-organisms/1020925 "2025-07-17T00:45:19Z")
The Man o’ War is sometimes thought of by the layperson as a jellyfish, but it’s not. It’s a colonial organism called a siphonophore. It consists of zooids that are each specialized, but come from the same fertilized egg… --- ## [The hypothetical "top" and "bottom" of the Earth (better explained in OP)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hypothetical-top-and-bottom-of-the-earth-better-explained-in-op/1009122)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hypothetical-top-and-bottom-of-the-earth-better-explained-in-op/1009122 "2025-07-16T23:48:22Z")
So imagine you pierced an orange from top to bottom with a metal straw, perfectly vertically. The holes at either end are the “top” and “bottom” of the orange. Now imagine you did that with the Earth. The line through th… --- ## [What time is it? How do you determine the current, precise time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-time-is-it-how-do-you-determine-the-current-precise-time/1017657)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-time-is-it-how-do-you-determine-the-current-precise-time/1017657 "2025-07-16T20:23:29Z")
Does anyone else here like to know the current, precise time down to the second? How do you determine that? Besides on a smart phone or watch, that is, down to the exact second? I’m confident this has been discussed her… --- ## [What the hell is "Potash?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-is-potash/1013436)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-is-potash/1013436 "2025-07-16T19:52:52Z")
Inspired by this quote from the “Retaliatory Tariffs” thread in Politics and Elections: I’d read about potash in my geography textbooks in fifth grade, but I never got a clear idea of what it IS. I guess about fifty ye… --- ## [Junior officers suddenly in charge of large units](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/junior-officers-suddenly-in-charge-of-large-units/1020876)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/junior-officers-suddenly-in-charge-of-large-units/1020876 "2025-07-16T17:37:16Z")
It’s a common enough trope in fiction: A large military unit is hit by a successful decapitation strike, leaving the only surviving officer (and hence new commander) as someone very junior who was late to the officers’ … --- ## [What would happen if I flew through a city at Mach 3?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-i-flew-through-a-city-at-mach-3/1020896)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-i-flew-through-a-city-at-mach-3/1020896 "2025-07-16T16:54:29Z")
Assume I’m Superman-ish. Would there be massive building damage? --- ## [Korean translation? \[Obit of wrestler Pak Song, if it is still accessible.\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/korean-translation-obit-of-wrestler-pak-song-if-it-is-still-accessible/1020916)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/korean-translation-obit-of-wrestler-pak-song-if-it-is-still-accessible/1020916 "2025-07-16T13:44:30Z")
Short version: The purported obit listing for wrestler Pak Song. Pak terrorized opponents (and fans!) for a decade before returning to his native South Korea. It was assumed he had died, but there were several differen… --- ## [Bob Marley's "Buffalo Soldier"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bob-marleys-buffalo-soldier/11178)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2025, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bob-marleys-buffalo-soldier/11178 "2025-07-16T07:57:53Z")
I always thought that in his song Buffalo Soldier Bob Marley was singing about himself, or the plight of the black man in the USA. (see lyrics here) But yesterday, hearing it again, I started to wonder, is it a referen… --- ## [What are Trump's claim of damages against 60 Minutes? He won](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-trumps-claim-of-damages-against-60-minutes-he-won/1020469)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2025, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-trumps-claim-of-damages-against-60-minutes-he-won/1020469 "2025-07-15T20:41:50Z")
My understanding of tort law is that you sue for damages suffered. If Trump won the election in spite of the Harris interview, how can he claim damages? And therefore why would Paramount settle a case that the court shou… --- ## [Utility Room Fluorescent Light Fixture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/utility-room-fluorescent-light-fixture/1020738)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2025, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/utility-room-fluorescent-light-fixture/1020738 "2025-07-14T10:30:33Z")
I have a fluorescent light fixture in my laundry room. It takes four foot fluorescent tubes. It was working OK, and then, according to my wife, it flashed and then both bulbs didn’t work – she actually thought the powe… --- ## [There’s a black hole in the center of “almost” every galaxy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-black-hole-in-the-center-of-almost-every-galaxy/1020830)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2025, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-black-hole-in-the-center-of-almost-every-galaxy/1020830 "2025-07-14T03:03:25Z")
I’ve heard that statement quite a few times In various science shows and videos. Why the “almost”? Is it just that we haven’t observed every galaxy, or are there galaxies that we know of that definitively don’t have bl… --- ## [Speed of Light question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-of-light-question/1020771)
**Author:** [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2025, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-of-light-question/1020771 "2025-07-14T00:50:58Z")
I think I have this right, but I feel like I have this wrong, and I’d sure appreciate some help in finding out which it is. As I understand it, if you shoot a beam of light from the Earth to the Moon such that it’ll ref… --- ## [Are there non-ICE agents acting like ICE agents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-non-ice-agents-acting-like-ice-agents/1020725)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2025, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-non-ice-agents-acting-like-ice-agents/1020725 "2025-07-13T20:33:07Z")
On reddit and in a few opinion pieces in media, I’ve seen people say or speculate that a lot of the people who are claiming to be ICE are not actually employed by ICE and are impersonating them (or perhaps deputized in s… --- ## [Units for Temperature Measurement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/units-for-temperature-measurement/1020711)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2025, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/units-for-temperature-measurement/1020711 "2025-07-12T20:33:36Z")
The Système International d’Unités (SI) uses the kelvin as the unit for temperature. Ultimately, kelvins are derived from degrees Celsius and the concept of absolute zero. The Celsius scale arose from originally assign… --- ## ["DEETZ NUTS"--when did the phrase begin? Who started it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deetz-nuts-when-did-the-phrase-begin-who-started-it/1020774)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2025, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deetz-nuts-when-did-the-phrase-begin-who-started-it/1020774 "2025-07-12T19:32:02Z")
When did the phrase begin? Who started it? --- ## [Water Pressure Differential Gauge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-pressure-differential-gauge/1020752)
**Author:** [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2025, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-pressure-differential-gauge/1020752 "2025-07-12T12:44:39Z")
I recently acquired and have installed a water pressure differential gauge (this one) on my well system in order to monitor the state of my filters and when to change them. The filters are 4" x 20" five micron and plumbe… --- ## [A question about early color television](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-early-color-television/993014)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2025, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-early-color-television/993014 "2025-07-12T00:55:42Z")
Saw this old ad posted in Facebook. Now I’m wondering what it was about planes, cars, and razors that bugged people who watched early color tvs and what technology alleviated that concern. … --- ## [Notary Public--a good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/notary-public-a-good-idea/1020601)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2025, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/notary-public-a-good-idea/1020601 "2025-07-11T19:25:20Z")
I’ve been interested in becoming a Notary Public. Fees are low. But I’d like some advice: Can you make a little side money on it? Are there risks? Hi Opal. I miss you. Can a Introvert make some cash at it? Are the fe… --- ## [Car without a title?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-without-a-title/1020743)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2025, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-without-a-title/1020743 "2025-07-11T16:43:21Z")
The soc cit thread reminds of a question I have had. At one point, I was considering moving to the US. Canadian provinces don’t issue titles. All I have is the registration on my car and any paperwork involving its pu… --- ## [What makes someone a US citizen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-someone-a-us-citizen/1020208)
**Author:** [@Oly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oly)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2025, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-someone-a-us-citizen/1020208 "2025-07-11T14:27:14Z")
What I can find is: Born in the USA Born to at least one parent who is a US citizen Naturalization If (1) goes away, it would seem to put the citizenship of everyone who is not a naturalized citizen in jeopardy. Numbe… --- ## [How many generations needed until breeding between descendants doesn't matter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-generations-needed-until-breeding-between-descendants-doesnt-matter/1019658)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2025, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-generations-needed-until-breeding-between-descendants-doesnt-matter/1019658 "2025-07-11T13:48:04Z")
This is a sort of offshoot from the “Is there any practical way to increase the birth rate?” thread. Someone pointed out it’s not impossible that increased medical knowledge will probably increase life span and extend h… --- ## [Explain uranium to me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-uranium-to-me/1020210)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2025, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-uranium-to-me/1020210 "2025-07-11T12:49:59Z")
I took freshman chemistry in college. Fifty years ago. Not my best subject. I know what an isotope is. I know how to read the periodic table. I know how to light a Bunsen burner. I have a vague idea about electron energy… --- ## [Why do some scientific papers have so many co-authors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-scientific-papers-have-so-many-co-authors/1020663)
**Author:** [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2025, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-scientific-papers-have-so-many-co-authors/1020663 "2025-07-11T02:52:54Z")
Below is a pre-print of a scientific paper that describes the discovery of a new exoplanet \[2506.18550\] TOI-1846b: A super-Earth in the radius valley orbiting a nearby M dwarf It’s certainly interesting research, but I… --- ## [The entire universe rotates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-entire-universe-rotates/1020634)
**Author:** [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2025, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-entire-universe-rotates/1020634 "2025-07-10T20:33:58Z")
This article tries to explain the Hubble tension by saying the entire universe rotates very slowly. I understand that if the entire universe rotated there would be a centrifugal “force” that pushed the galaxies apart … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=36) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=38)