# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=443 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 444 --- ## [How many megatons of yield cold a sub/aircraft carrier nuclear reactor fuel be used to produce?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-megatons-of-yield-cold-a-sub-aircraft-carrier-nuclear-reactor-fuel-be-used-to-produce/837503)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2019, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-megatons-of-yield-cold-a-sub-aircraft-carrier-nuclear-reactor-fuel-be-used-to-produce/837503 "2019-07-25T18:54:03Z")
The fuel used in nuclear reactors isn’t weapons grade but if you were to start off with the same raw nuclear materials and, instead of processing it as nuclear reactor fuel, you processed it to make a hydrogen bomb out o… --- ## [Death Penalty options](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-penalty-options/837423)
**Author:** [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2019, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-penalty-options/837423 "2019-07-25T18:44:11Z")
Recently, I had to have a kitten euthanized. I stayed with him as the vet gave him the injection. He passed away peacefully, with no apparent pain, no spasms. His heart just stopped, and he was gone. Now, I’ve heard … --- ## [Data transfer over coaxial cable](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/data-transfer-over-coaxial-cable/837576)
**Author:** [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2019, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/data-transfer-over-coaxial-cable/837576 "2019-07-25T18:40:49Z")
As data transfer rates increase, we see perennial upgrades to ethernet, HDMI, USB etc. And ISPs are obviously upgrading what’s out on the street. But isn’t most of the coaxial cable infastructure inside our walls deca… --- ## [Why did early TV antennas need so many low-tech modifications?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-early-tv-antennas-need-so-many-low-tech-modifications/837507)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2019, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-early-tv-antennas-need-so-many-low-tech-modifications/837507 "2019-07-25T16:14:48Z")
Those of you who grew up with old TVs may remember doing all kinds of strange things to improve the signal, such as wrapping the antenna with foil, using foil pans, having to physically hold the antenna with your hand, a… --- ## [So how many skydiving deaths are normal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-many-skydiving-deaths-are-normal/822980)
**Author:** [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2019, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-many-skydiving-deaths-are-normal/822980 "2019-07-25T12:21:38Z")
The Lodi Parachute Center has hit 20 fatalities at its facility since it opened in 1981. Seems rather like a lot, and hard to work into a successful advertising campaign. But it also got me wondering, just what is the … --- ## [Best site for cheapest flights 6-8 weeks out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-site-for-cheapest-flights-6-8-weeks-out/837479)
**Author:** [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2019, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-site-for-cheapest-flights-6-8-weeks-out/837479 "2019-07-25T07:36:20Z")
This might belong in IMHO, please move if so. My girlfriend has a friend in Houston she’d like to visit for a weekend. We’d be flying from Milwaukee and don’t want to make 3 transfers, etc. What would be the best way t… --- ## [Plugging air gap between brick and drywall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-air-gap-between-brick-and-drywall/837543)
**Author:** [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2019, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-air-gap-between-brick-and-drywall/837543 "2019-07-25T02:03:54Z")
I live in a condo where sounds, at least some sounds, pass way too easy between us and some of our neighbors. It seems to me that the sound mainly emanates from a corner in the living room and a corner of the bathroom wh… --- ## [Setting the AC higher when away versus a constant temperature](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-the-ac-higher-when-away-versus-a-constant-temperature/837483)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2019, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-the-ac-higher-when-away-versus-a-constant-temperature/837483 "2019-07-25T01:56:47Z")
I have a Nest thermostat at home. One of it’s features is that it detects whether you’re home or away based on your phone’s location, and sets your thermostat to “eco” temperatures when you’re not home. When the AC is … --- ## [How can I find out if a recruiting agency is legit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-out-if-a-recruiting-agency-is-legit/837563)
**Author:** [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2019, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-out-if-a-recruiting-agency-is-legit/837563 "2019-07-25T00:49:56Z")
I’ve posted a profile and resume/CV on various sites like ZipRecruiter; today I got phone calls and emails from two recruiting/staffing agencies who apparently saw a job opening that I might be a good fit for. One was Su… --- ## [Credit Card Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-questions/837399)
**Author:** [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2019, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-questions/837399 "2019-07-24T23:03:56Z")
Hi. I just got my first credit card (through my bank) because I want to build a good credit score. My plan was to buy something under the 30% utilization limit of my maximum and then to immediately pay it off. Is that t… --- ## [Q about Babbage Engines and watchworks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-about-babbage-engines-and-watchworks/837480)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2019, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-about-babbage-engines-and-watchworks/837480 "2019-07-24T21:15:50Z")
Charles Babbage is known for having conceived of the first mechanical computers. The original plans specified rather hefty components, roughly what you could expect from early to mid- 19th century mechanisms. However, a… --- ## [British Tanker...Options](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-tanker-options/837403)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2019, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-tanker-options/837403 "2019-07-24T20:31:27Z")
Just curious. While I could think of several reasons not to do so, would sinking it in place disrupt Iranian shipping operations and otherwise do harm to Iran? The Germans sank several ships in the Cherbourg port, to mak… --- ## [Is there a snappy name for this type of bad faith argument?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-snappy-name-for-this-type-of-bad-faith-argument/837529)
**Author:** [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2019, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-snappy-name-for-this-type-of-bad-faith-argument/837529 "2019-07-24T19:41:27Z")
I see this type of argument made sometimes, and I’m curious if it has a name. In a public debate, say one group of people are all generally in favor of a certain outcome. However, among that group, there are disagreemen… --- ## [Holocaust: Did any non-Jews get mistakenly executed as Jews?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holocaust-did-any-non-jews-get-mistakenly-executed-as-jews/837484)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2019, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holocaust-did-any-non-jews-get-mistakenly-executed-as-jews/837484 "2019-07-24T19:36:11Z")
Was there ever a situation where full-Nazi, diehard Aryan Germans were mistakenly classified as Jews (or Roma, or gays, or Slavs, or some other death classification) and Auschwitz’d despite their protests that they didn’… --- ## [Can the police identify any printed paper](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-identify-any-printed-paper/837506)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2019, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-identify-any-printed-paper/837506 "2019-07-24T17:02:49Z")
Is it an urban myth that modern day police can identify a ransom or other printed note from The printer used which leaves a unique signature built into every modern day printer And the paper which has a buried code of … --- ## [How do low cost airlines make money](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-low-cost-airlines-make-money/837413)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2019, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-low-cost-airlines-make-money/837413 "2019-07-24T16:40:47Z")
In the UK the likes of Easyjet and RyanAir which have now become leading airlines in Europe sell their tickets very very cheap. Their aircraft are all relatively new, their overheads in terms of compensation claims for c… --- ## [How did the general public widely come to believe antibiotics cure viruses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-general-public-widely-come-to-believe-antibiotics-cure-viruses/837233)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2019, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-general-public-widely-come-to-believe-antibiotics-cure-viruses/837233 "2019-07-24T16:00:16Z")
As I sat in urgent care this morning, waiting to have a tick bite looked at, I read a poster that among other things stated that antibiotics are only effective against bacteria, not viruses. I’ve heard this caution scor… --- ## [Which way should I direct a fan while the A/C is busted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-way-should-i-direct-a-fan-while-the-a-c-is-busted/836986)
**Author:** [@The\_Composer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Composer)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2019, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-way-should-i-direct-a-fan-while-the-a-c-is-busted/836986 "2019-07-24T13:31:36Z")
Hey, everyone. The A/C in my second story is out of commission. Most of the second story is down a single hallway, separate from the main floor. While we wait in the queue for repair, I have a giant fan to circulate a… --- ## [Converting gas to parts per million](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-gas-to-parts-per-million/837519)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2019, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-gas-to-parts-per-million/837519 "2019-07-24T13:03:03Z")
Wonder if there is any easy formula out there: Suppose you take a liquid (say, 1 liter of water,) pour it into a hot and completely dry room containing 1000 cubic meters of air and it all evaporates. What is the formula… --- ## [Difference between Shopping Center, Plaza, and Strip Mall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-shopping-center-plaza-and-strip-mall/720534)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2019, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-shopping-center-plaza-and-strip-mall/720534 "2019-07-24T01:29:17Z")
I tend to think of a shopping center as bigger than a plaza, and a strip mall as a place like this. Is there a real difference between the three or is it just marketing? --- ## [What if the whole world quit smoking tomorrow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-whole-world-quit-smoking-tomorrow/837274)
**Author:** [@Captain\_S\_itmagnet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_S_itmagnet)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2019, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-whole-world-quit-smoking-tomorrow/837274 "2019-07-23T20:41:44Z")
Disclaimer: CSM is an adamant anti-smoker. I have seen three family members die hideous painful deaths directly attributable to smoking So if everyone who smokes quit cold turkey tomorrow, what beneficial effects would… --- ## [Color-swapped flags](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/color-swapped-flags/837338)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2019, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/color-swapped-flags/837338 "2019-07-23T17:21:01Z")
There are three instances I know of where two flags are color-swapped. By that, I mean that the flags are the same except where flag A has color M, flag B has color N, and where flag A has color N, flag B has color M. Th… --- ## [Travel to Mars - compared to moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-to-mars-compared-to-moon/837206)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2019, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-to-mars-compared-to-moon/837206 "2019-07-23T15:01:14Z")
On the radio the other day, my wife and I heard the head of NASA effusing about a plan to send humans to Mars by the mid-30s. These comments were in the context of the celebration of the moon landing. I interpreted it … --- ## [Power in house going off/on without tripping circuit breakers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-in-house-going-off-on-without-tripping-circuit-breakers/837087)
**Author:** [@Shawn1767](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shawn1767)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2019, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-in-house-going-off-on-without-tripping-circuit-breakers/837087 "2019-07-23T14:41:46Z")
A little background, then maybe someone can tell me what might be happening and potential courses of action. Barry (Hurricane) passed over within the last 48 hours. Friday night, our power flickered considerably before … --- ## [How do the branches of the (US) military differ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-branches-of-the-us-military-differ/837050)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 165\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2019, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-branches-of-the-us-military-differ/837050 "2019-07-23T14:11:04Z")
I know: The Army is not the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps is not the Army. But what does the Corps do that the Army doesn’t, and vice versa? In terms of training and function. Also, we have an Air Force for a reason, b… --- ## [codes on back of photograph](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/codes-on-back-of-photograph/837473)
**Author:** [@tgreg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tgreg)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2019, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/codes-on-back-of-photograph/837473 "2019-07-23T01:57:23Z")
Hi, I’ve been searching at length without success to understand the code on the back of a photograph that I have. I am hoping that I might be able to get information on this. Code Info: Eckerd7302\ 017 04501… --- ## [What Kind Of Car Is This? (Tiny Convertible, Found In Australia)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-car-is-this-tiny-convertible-found-in-australia/837458)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2019, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-car-is-this-tiny-convertible-found-in-australia/837458 "2019-07-23T00:52:19Z")
Does anyone recognize what kind of car is being driven in this video? It’s at 8:19 (YouTube seems to have disabled the option to start a linked video at a certain time) Whatever it is, it’s cute AF and I want one. --- ## [Which animals respond to human facial expressions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-animals-respond-to-human-facial-expressions/652825)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2019, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-animals-respond-to-human-facial-expressions/652825 "2019-07-22T21:56:28Z")
See subject. It was prompted most recently by an occasion when my dog was standing next to a couch I was lying on–thus no change stance or, in this case, movement of my arms or hands. He was staring off into space thinki… --- ## [Need a low-cost "professional" vacuum.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-low-cost-professional-vacuum/703785)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2019, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-low-cost-professional-vacuum/703785 "2019-07-22T17:38:35Z")
We have tons of dog hair in our house. We vacuum once a week with our low-cost Bissell CleanView but it overheats (so the belt now slips off the rotor) and I just don’t think the suction and filter system really works f… --- ## [large waist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-waist/837360)
**Author:** [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2019, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-waist/837360 "2019-07-22T15:56:30Z")
I’ve read a waist larger than 35 (for women) or 40 (for men) is dangerous. Why, exactly? And what if youre a transsexual, is it 37? Also, how important is the waist-hip ratio. Mine is .86, I know this isn’t optimal, but… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=442) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=444)