# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=410 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 411 --- ## [How much of the Arctic Circle Does Canada Own?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-the-arctic-circle-does-canada-own/843556)
**Author:** [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2019, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-the-arctic-circle-does-canada-own/843556 "2019-11-20T15:38:17Z")
In terms of both percentage and square miles/kilometres, how much of the area of the Arctic Circle, in land area and sea area, does Canada claim directly or indirectly? --- ## [Calibrating radiometric dates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calibrating-radiometric-dates/843687)
**Author:** [@DannyBeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DannyBeans)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2019, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calibrating-radiometric-dates/843687 "2019-11-20T09:10:19Z")
I think I understand the basic idea of radiometric dating: you take a sample and assay it, and compare the proportions of a radioactive isotope and its decay products, do some calculations based on the isotope’s half-li… --- ## [If I kick an alligator\* in it's nuts...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-kick-an-alligator-in-its-nuts/843627)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2019, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-kick-an-alligator-in-its-nuts/843627 "2019-11-20T01:45:21Z")
…will he be temporarily incapacitated just as I would be if he were to kick me in mine? \[\*or any other non-human testicle-bearing creature.\] --- ## [Bluetooth headphones: powerful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bluetooth-headphones-powerful/843636)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2019, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bluetooth-headphones-powerful/843636 "2019-11-20T00:39:18Z")
I need a new pair of bluetooth headphones. My current pair tends to break up/cut out, especially if I wander more than a few feet from my device (phone or laptop). I need ear-covering headphones because earbuds fall out … --- ## [Excel won't open files](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-wont-open-files/843666)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2019, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-wont-open-files/843666 "2019-11-19T22:51:45Z")
Yet another Excel issue popped up this morning. I think it’s actually a Windows 10 thing. I opened a Word document, and there was a pop-up window that wanted something or other. It’s one of those Windows things that y… --- ## [25 year old "new" mixmaster mixer never out of the box](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-year-old-new-mixmaster-mixer-never-out-of-the-box/843585)
**Author:** [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2019, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-year-old-new-mixmaster-mixer-never-out-of-the-box/843585 "2019-11-19T19:52:06Z")
What would be the likelihood that a 25 year old “new” and never out of the box name brand name mixmaster mixer could work consistently well today, right out of the box? This mixer has been stored in climate controlled c… --- ## [On Building a Lunar Ringway. . .](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-building-a-lunar-ringway/843407)
**Author:** [@ArslanWilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArslanWilson)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2019, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-building-a-lunar-ringway/843407 "2019-11-19T18:18:16Z")
Ok, so here’s the deal… Supposing one wanted to place a ring in equatorial orbit of the Moon. What do the general details of that look like? Its purpose is manufacturing and as a launch site for Robotic, and eventuall… --- ## [What kind of rock is this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-rock-is-this/843592)
**Author:** [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-rock-is-this/843592 "2019-11-19T15:19:55Z")
I found this gorgeous rock out in the forest and put it in my aquarium. It’s light green with quartz veins through it. --- ## [How do window washer belts work (how do they move from place to place)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-window-washer-belts-work-how-do-they-move-from-place-to-place/843566)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2019, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-window-washer-belts-work-how-do-they-move-from-place-to-place/843566 "2019-11-19T14:32:39Z")
Old Empire State Building pics: More recent pic of washer using belt (bottom of page): I was washing the movie “Q: The Winged Serpent,” and the first scene involves a guy on a belt washing the Empire State Building. … --- ## ["12 cities lost by Germany in Versailles Treaty"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-cities-lost-by-germany-in-versailles-treaty/843633)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2019, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-cities-lost-by-germany-in-versailles-treaty/843633 "2019-11-19T01:35:10Z")
So I read somewhere that Germany lost 12 cities as part of the Versailles Treaty, but on the map only three of them seem to be clear and obvious: Danzig, Konigsberg, and Breslau. Can anyone help me scout out the other n… --- ## [Concrete use cases of FPGA boards in large organizations (automotive, aviation etc.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concrete-use-cases-of-fpga-boards-in-large-organizations-automotive-aviation-etc/843524)
**Author:** [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2019, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concrete-use-cases-of-fpga-boards-in-large-organizations-automotive-aviation-etc/843524 "2019-11-18T22:51:56Z")
I read somewhere that large organizations use FPGA boards for various purposes. What are the concrete use cases for FPGA boards (especially in those industries)? --- ## [Chicxulub impact on Earth. Why no Saturn like rings around earth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicxulub-impact-on-earth-why-no-saturn-like-rings-around-earth/843586)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2019, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicxulub-impact-on-earth-why-no-saturn-like-rings-around-earth/843586 "2019-11-18T18:28:40Z")
The meteorite that impacted Earth and was suspected of polishing off the Dinosaurs. It threw a lot of matter into the atmosphere and wiki article states some of it would have reached Mars and Mercury. Why did the large… --- ## [Ridge vent vs attic fan, which is better?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridge-vent-vs-attic-fan-which-is-better/843492)
**Author:** [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2019, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridge-vent-vs-attic-fan-which-is-better/843492 "2019-11-18T16:32:01Z")
I had my roof replaced recently. Before I had both a ridge vent AND an attic fan, one installed in the roof. The roofers told me that having both doesn’t work. I understand that as the fan can just pull the air through … --- ## [What's the oldest "cold case" ever solved?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-oldest-cold-case-ever-solved/843577)
**Author:** [@Calavera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calavera)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2019, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-oldest-cold-case-ever-solved/843577 "2019-11-18T15:39:02Z")
I know a lot of people have theories about Jack the Ripper, even people who weren’t ever considered by 19th century police. There’s no way that case can get marked as solved though. I’m curious though if there are any l… --- ## [Factual Discussion about Canada’s Hate Speech Laws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-discussion-about-canada-s-hate-speech-laws/843166)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2019, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-discussion-about-canada-s-hate-speech-laws/843166 "2019-11-18T14:26:28Z")
There’s a lively debate going on in GD about hate speech laws, and from time to time Canadian hate speech laws get mentioned: WaPo editorial “Why America needs a hate speech law” I thought it might be helpful to have a… --- ## [Vanity sizing for men.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanity-sizing-for-men/635497)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2012, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanity-sizing-for-men/635497 "2012-09-24T10:33:36Z")
I wear a size 29 waist pants (30 leg). Yesterday I ordered a custom made suit on-line from a web site recommended here (makeyourownjeans.com, thrilled to know about it as it is hard to find clothes cut right for someone … --- ## [2012 Subaru outback CVT questions.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-subaru-outback-cvt-questions/843569)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2019, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-subaru-outback-cvt-questions/843569 "2019-11-18T02:08:39Z")
So my Subaru has been acting oddly lately. It only happens on the Interstate at 50+ but it just seems like a clutch has slipped. It revs up from the cruising normal tach of 2k toward 3k , then goes back to normal cruisi… --- ## [We send an unmanned probe to Alpha Centauri. How do we control it when it's there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-send-an-unmanned-probe-to-alpha-centauri-how-do-we-control-it-when-its-there/843343)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2019, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-send-an-unmanned-probe-to-alpha-centauri-how-do-we-control-it-when-its-there/843343 "2019-11-18T01:02:37Z")
Would there be a way to put it in orbit around Alpha Centauri? Or would it just be a fly-by? Given the distance, we couldn’t send signals in time to put it in orbit. Would it be programmed extensively with flight algor… --- ## [Poorest nation that could possibly pull off a successful nuclear-weapons program](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorest-nation-that-could-possibly-pull-off-a-successful-nuclear-weapons-program/843371)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2019, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorest-nation-that-could-possibly-pull-off-a-successful-nuclear-weapons-program/843371 "2019-11-18T00:38:34Z")
North Korea is one of the poorest in the world, and yet still managed to get to the extent of 200-kiloton thermonuclear two-stage weapons. (North Korea, though, benefits from having coastlines and not being a landlocked… --- ## [Picking a video card](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picking-a-video-card/843444)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2019, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picking-a-video-card/843444 "2019-11-17T19:54:04Z")
I am looking for a card that is equivalent or exceeds this minimum: VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GTX 550 Ti 2GB/AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB or equivalent If I don’t get one of these exact cards, what specs will tell me if a card meet… --- ## [Excel: Adding to a chart](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-adding-to-a-chart/843547)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2019, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-adding-to-a-chart/843547 "2019-11-17T05:49:52Z")
I made a chart in Excel. It’s a line chart with data points. The date and data are on the left, and the chart takes up most of the page. I added another row, but it was not added to the chart. I know I can delete the… --- ## [18th century Federalists v. populism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18th-century-federalists-v-populism/843525)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2019, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18th-century-federalists-v-populism/843525 "2019-11-17T04:24:35Z")
It’s often claimed that the push to replace the Articles of Confederation with a new Federal government was due to the perceived need for a stronger central government, which the new Constitution certainly provided. But … --- ## [Why is my laptop getting Google Chrome news alerts all of a sudden?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-laptop-getting-google-chrome-news-alerts-all-of-a-sudden/843448)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2019, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-laptop-getting-google-chrome-news-alerts-all-of-a-sudden/843448 "2019-11-17T01:51:20Z")
You know that little black notification box that sometimes appears in the lower right hand corner of your computer screen? Usually tells you something like: your computer has been scanned and no viruses were found? Usu… --- ## [Sensations inside Air France 447 vs. severe air turbulence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sensations-inside-air-france-447-vs-severe-air-turbulence/843561)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2019, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sensations-inside-air-france-447-vs-severe-air-turbulence/843561 "2019-11-17T01:03:15Z")
I watched a video that said that inside AF447’s stall (that lasted minutes, fell 37,000 feet all the way to the ocean,) that the wings may have had gyrations of up to 30 degrees. Is that pretty much far beyond what an ai… --- ## [Will Planet Earth ever be solid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-planet-earth-ever-be-solid/843520)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2019, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-planet-earth-ever-be-solid/843520 "2019-11-16T21:08:26Z")
The Earth has several layers: Inner core - solid metal. Outer core - liquid metal. Lower Mantle - solid. Upper mantle - plastic. Crust - solid. When originally formed it was a ball of very hot liquid. Since then it… --- ## [Why are cabin lights turned down on takeoff?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-cabin-lights-turned-down-on-takeoff/843376)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2019, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-cabin-lights-turned-down-on-takeoff/843376 "2019-11-16T15:01:34Z")
I can’t think of any safety related issues that would justify darkening the interior of a plane for 5 minutes during takeoff. Or any other reason. So, why do they do it? Is it really important? Necessary? Is it just… --- ## [Electrical: Safe to try turning Main and Generator breakers on simultaneously, if no generator?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-safe-to-try-turning-main-and-generator-breakers-on-simultaneously-if-no-generator/843375)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2019, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-safe-to-try-turning-main-and-generator-breakers-on-simultaneously-if-no-generator/843375 "2019-11-16T12:40:40Z")
I had an electrician install a receptacle outside my house to connect a generator to the main panel, and an interlock so the main lines power and the generator breaker can’t both be turned on simultaneously. But the int… --- ## [What's the current legal situation for starting up a broadcast TV Station...on Mars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-current-legal-situation-for-starting-up-a-broadcast-tv-station-on-mars/843310)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2019, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-current-legal-situation-for-starting-up-a-broadcast-tv-station-on-mars/843310 "2019-11-16T05:15:48Z")
This is technically not as insane as the title sounds; mostly I was bemusedly wondering about the application of national, international, and space law. Mostly inspired by similar musings in The Martian Okay, the setup?… --- ## ["In Cold Blood" question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-cold-blood-question/843509)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2019, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-cold-blood-question/843509 "2019-11-16T05:13:51Z")
From Wikipedia’s “On This Day” November 15 was the day the infamous Clutter family murders were committed. The article doesn’t mention one salient thing however: how were the killers identified? --- ## [Ball bearings vs car battery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-bearings-vs-car-battery/843422)
**Author:** [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2019, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-bearings-vs-car-battery/843422 "2019-11-16T01:36:09Z")
One of my co-workers semi-melted a wrench on a car battery yesterday and it prompted a discussion that we couldn’t resolve to our satisfaction; to whit, what would happen if you poured a steady stream of ball bearings on… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=409) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=411)