# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=45 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 46 --- ## [Help me understand how a diaphragm carburetor works](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-how-a-diaphragm-carburetor-works/1017952)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2025, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-how-a-diaphragm-carburetor-works/1017952 "2025-05-06T17:24:32Z")
The most basic carburetor, typically found on a gasoline-powered lawn mower, is pretty darn simple: Fuel from the tank flows (or is pumped) into a float bowl. When the float bowl is full, a float rises up and shuts a… --- ## [Airports and buildings in Denver, etc. - also similar lack of oxygen due to high altitude, or is the internal air different?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airports-and-buildings-in-denver-etc-also-similar-lack-of-oxygen-due-to-high-altitude-or-is-the-internal-air-different/1017492)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2025, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airports-and-buildings-in-denver-etc-also-similar-lack-of-oxygen-due-to-high-altitude-or-is-the-internal-air-different/1017492 "2025-05-06T10:22:20Z")
Dumb question, but when buildings like airport terminals are located in Denver, Salt Lake City, Colorado Springs or other places 6,000 feet high, is the interior air also lacking oxygen to the extent that the outside air… --- ## [Submarine meals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/submarine-meals/1017591)
**Author:** [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/submarine-meals/1017591 "2025-05-05T22:45:57Z")
In Big Red, which takes place in 1999, it says that Lieutenant JG Such-and-Such had to pay $500 for the meals he ate on patrol (let’s say 3 months). This is on a Trident-class ballistic missile submarine. So, dining in… --- ## [Why did we evolve finger- and toenails? What purpose do they serve?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-we-evolve-finger-and-toenails-what-purpose-do-they-serve/1010056)
**Author:** [@Ceretarges](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ceretarges)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-we-evolve-finger-and-toenails-what-purpose-do-they-serve/1010056 "2025-05-05T19:39:20Z")
I mean, I don’t see what they do that some tougher skin couldn’t do. Plus, with tougher skin on it, you wouldn’t have the issue where if you get a bruise under there it stays there for ages. I’d say it’s just the first t… --- ## [Park in one country and fly from another?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/park-in-one-country-and-fly-from-another/1017916)
**Author:** [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/park-in-one-country-and-fly-from-another/1017916 "2025-05-05T18:54:02Z")
San Diegans traveling to Mexican destinations often cross the border by land and fly from Tijuana, both for the lower prices and avoiding airport customs and immigration. That’s been streamlined in recent years by buildi… --- ## [Lines Passing through the Center of a Circle and a Sphere](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lines-passing-through-the-center-of-a-circle-and-a-sphere/1017827)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lines-passing-through-the-center-of-a-circle-and-a-sphere/1017827 "2025-05-05T09:01:56Z")
Using the normal Euclidean geometry we learned in high school, it seems to me that there are an infinite number of lines that pass through the center of any given two-dimensional circle. I would also think that there ar… --- ## [Question on Golden Visas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-golden-visas/1017103)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-golden-visas/1017103 "2025-05-05T08:30:27Z")
European ones specifically and I know countries are different so MMMV. Let’s say a country offers a golden visa for buying 300000€ of property. Can that property be bought on a mortgage or do I need to show up with 300… --- ## [When did humans first start needing to trim their fingernails](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-humans-first-start-needing-to-trim-their-fingernails/1016838)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-humans-first-start-needing-to-trim-their-fingernails/1016838 "2025-05-05T07:09:24Z")
I was trimming my nails, which grow pretty fast, and the question occurred to me, did the pre-Columbian native Americans, for example, need to trim their nails? Or did their hard scrabble life keep them naturally trimmed… --- ## [Is there really a Planet 9 out there in the Kuiper Belt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-planet-9-out-there-in-the-kuiper-belt/931771)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 178\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-planet-9-out-there-in-the-kuiper-belt/931771 "2025-05-05T03:47:39Z")
Since this is a Science question, I put it in GQ, even though I expect that there may be differing opinions on this topic. I was watching an episode of How the Universe Works and the very distinguished astronomers and p… --- ## [Renting an apartment right next to a power transformer station](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2025, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647 "2025-05-04T19:01:24Z")
There is a newly-built apartment complex here in Austin that I’ve been looking into. Everything is great, except…it’s right next to a big electrical-power transformation station, with all the machinery. The nearest apart… --- ## [How does "no fault" car insurance work vs regular insurance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-no-fault-car-insurance-work-vs-regular-insurance/1017667)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2025, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-no-fault-car-insurance-work-vs-regular-insurance/1017667 "2025-05-04T18:22:41Z")
My question stems from the fact that my wife and I live in Texas and my daughter and her husband and kids live in Michigan. Texas requires a minimum liability insurance policy for cars/drivers registered in Texas. Our … --- ## [Are we already capable of going to Mars this very instant but just unwilling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-already-capable-of-going-to-mars-this-very-instant-but-just-unwilling/1015115)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 219\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2025, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-already-capable-of-going-to-mars-this-very-instant-but-just-unwilling/1015115 "2025-05-04T17:38:32Z")
Hypothetically: Suppose that suddenly, tomorrow morning, all of humanity collectively decided as a hive mind, Yes, we’ve got to send a team of astronauts to Mars. Now. Who cares if it costs trillions of dollars; it’s the… --- ## [What happens if you win a prize package for multiple people, but no one wants to go with you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-you-win-a-prize-package-for-multiple-people-but-no-one-wants-to-go-with-you/1017271)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2025, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-you-win-a-prize-package-for-multiple-people-but-no-one-wants-to-go-with-you/1017271 "2025-05-03T19:23:16Z")
My soccer team (St. Louis City SC) is hosting a contest for four primo seats and some other swag for four people. If I won, I’d end up going by myself. Not one person among my friends, family and co workers would watch a… --- ## [How Often Do Non-U.S. Strongmen Hold Meetings Where Subordinates Engage in Serial Flattery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-non-u-s-strongmen-hold-meetings-where-subordinates-engage-in-serial-flattery/1017753)
**Author:** [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2025, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-non-u-s-strongmen-hold-meetings-where-subordinates-engage-in-serial-flattery/1017753 "2025-05-03T03:50:47Z")
This is from yesterday’s U.S. cabinet meeting: Hegseth: Bondi: Noem: We have seen this in prior Trump cabinet meetings. And commentators have made statements about Trump’s cabinet meetings being similar to somethi… --- ## [In the King’s English, what’s a “99”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-king-s-english-what-s-a-99/1017677)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2025, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-king-s-english-what-s-a-99/1017677 "2025-05-02T23:47:40Z")
In a British sitcom I’ve been watching, a character describes his perfect date to a friend. He takes his beloved to a beach, they take a train so they can pre-game with drinks, they have a picnic, “go for a stroll along … --- ## [Why are Buddha statues so popular in the west?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-buddha-statues-so-popular-in-the-west/970431)
**Author:** [@HorribleMutantBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HorribleMutantBoy)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2025, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-buddha-statues-so-popular-in-the-west/970431 "2025-05-02T15:40:22Z")
It’s very easy to find statues of Buddhas (Siddhartha or Budai) in western shops or sitting in gardens often mass produced. Now I’d go out on a limb here and assume that most of these statues I see aren’t possessed by pe… --- ## [Tracing phone calls.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tracing-phone-calls/743793)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2016, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tracing-phone-calls/743793 "2016-01-22T18:49:14Z")
While watching a 1968 film, the police are trying to trace the phone call made by the murderer. OK, that was 1968. I see police trying to trace phone calls on cop shows today. Many times, there’s, “We didn’t have enou… --- ## [Cite for microwaving plastic being bad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cite-for-microwaving-plastic-being-bad/1017633)
**Author:** [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2025, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cite-for-microwaving-plastic-being-bad/1017633 "2025-05-01T19:15:38Z")
I assumed that microwaving frozen dinners in the little plastic trays they all come in is bad for you, but am having a remarkably difficult time coming up with a credible cite. I don’t eat a lot of frozen dinners – mayb… --- ## [Structure of a Black Hole Singularity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/structure-of-a-black-hole-singularity/1017606)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2025, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/structure-of-a-black-hole-singularity/1017606 "2025-05-01T18:08:46Z")
If a star 3 to 4 times as massive as our Sun collapses, a Black Hole forms. The general consensus is that the gravity becomes so strong the mass concentrates to an infinitely dense zero dimensional geometric point. Thi… --- ## [Liberated Holocaust survivors dying when given food](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberated-holocaust-survivors-dying-when-given-food/526453)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2025, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberated-holocaust-survivors-dying-when-given-food/526453 "2025-05-01T08:41:50Z")
\[SIZE=2\]Untold thousands of the liberated starved prisoners from the Nazi concentration camps\[SIZE=1\]\* died in agony immediately after liberation, after having been given some food by well-meaning soldiers. According to … --- ## [Is there really a direct phone line from the White House to the Kremlin (Russia)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-direct-phone-line-from-the-white-house-to-the-kremlin-russia/1017638)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2025, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-direct-phone-line-from-the-white-house-to-the-kremlin-russia/1017638 "2025-05-01T08:30:39Z")
Title kinda says it all. Can the US president pick-up a phone and expect the president of Russia to answer? A literal direct line. No dialing needed. You pick up the phone and there is only one person on the other end… --- ## [Is there really a "research casino" operated by gambling companies and big tech?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-research-casino-operated-by-gambling-companies-and-big-tech/1017625)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2025, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-research-casino-operated-by-gambling-companies-and-big-tech/1017625 "2025-04-30T18:56:21Z")
In this video, the presenter is making the claim that the spread of ever easier access to gambling is a really dangerous trend, with the potential to be “more damaging than the opioid crisis.” OK, I don’t have a problem … --- ## [Critique my water purifying schemes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-water-purifying-schemes/1017616)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2025, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-water-purifying-schemes/1017616 "2025-04-30T01:25:15Z")
I’m aware of the method where people stretch a small sheet of plastic over a pool of water and collect the condensate that drips off the plastic. But how about some more active methods, each utilizing a 1 meter square fl… --- ## [Relatedness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relatedness/1013551)
**Author:** [@Richardpurvey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richardpurvey)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2025, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relatedness/1013551 "2025-04-29T20:03:11Z")
Are two members of the same species necessarily more closely related to each other than they are to a member of another species? --- ## [Musician's Claim on Stradivarius - Does it Make Sense?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-claim-on-stradivarius-does-it-make-sense/1013961)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2025, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-claim-on-stradivarius-does-it-make-sense/1013961 "2025-04-29T19:16:49Z")
So there’s a Stradivarius going up for auction that might set a new record. Yesterday on All Things Considered they interviewed a violinist who owns one. He spoke about how great they are, and what makes them so prized, … --- ## [How do electric linemen know where to place lines that are being repaired?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-electric-linemen-know-where-to-place-lines-that-are-being-repaired/1017573)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2025, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-electric-linemen-know-where-to-place-lines-that-are-being-repaired/1017573 "2025-04-29T13:31:14Z")
Let’s say a power line gets knocked down in a storm or something. How does the lineman know the exact place to reattach the line for repair? --- ## [Ancient American candy "Chewy Fruit": What was it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-american-candy-chewy-fruit-what-was-it/257687)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2025, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-american-candy-chewy-fruit-what-was-it/257687 "2025-04-29T11:59:54Z")
Here is a cover of singer Dave Mason’s New Crest on an Old Wave. It never occurred to me that the artwork was a part of pop culture before appearing on Mason’s album, but. . . A few weeks ago in one of the many well kn… --- ## [A car moving at 99.999999999% the speed of light, turns on the headlights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-car-moving-at-99-999999999-the-speed-of-light-turns-on-the-headlights/1017487)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2025, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-car-moving-at-99-999999999-the-speed-of-light-turns-on-the-headlights/1017487 "2025-04-28T23:24:04Z")
OK, I’ve read all the previous posts on this subject I could find but I didn’t see this specific question addressed. I also realize that due to my my lack of understanding, I face derision still, I press onward. I was w… --- ## [Who was the last Pope with a living mother?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-last-pope-with-a-living-mother/1017547)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2025, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-last-pope-with-a-living-mother/1017547 "2025-04-28T22:40:27Z")
Who was the past Pope who’s mother was still alive to see her son become Pope? --- ## [Eye Dominance and Handedness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eye-dominance-and-handedness/1017571)
**Author:** [@DaveUnknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveUnknown)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eye-dominance-and-handedness/1017571 "2025-04-28T20:22:53Z")
I am right handed but left eye dominant. I aim with my left eye. I think it’s called cross-dominance. I have been told by random people I have good aim. I shoot well, I make golf puts, but I’m very average at darts an… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=44) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=46)