# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=46 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 47 --- ## [Gases and sound waves](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gases-and-sound-waves/1017483)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2025, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gases-and-sound-waves/1017483 "2025-04-28T00:27:26Z")
Here is what I have so far, correct me if I’m wrong. Assume I am just speaking regularly and this is what happens to my voice. Lighter gases will increase the frequency Density will not affect the frequency Lighter d… --- ## [What did eye surgery involve in the mid-1800’s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-eye-surgery-involve-in-the-mid-1800-s/1017562)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2025, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-eye-surgery-involve-in-the-mid-1800-s/1017562 "2025-04-27T23:21:28Z")
I was invited to an early preview of John Singer Sargent’s art exhibit at the Met last week. I didn’t know much about him, so read his Wikipedia page beforehand. The entry mentions that his father was an eye surgeon in… --- ## [Early methods of measuring time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-methods-of-measuring-time/1017515)
**Author:** [@Chumba\_Wumba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chumba_Wumba)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2025, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-methods-of-measuring-time/1017515 "2025-04-27T17:39:03Z")
I’m only aware of one method of measuring time before the invention of mechanical clocks, and that’s the sun dial. What other means existed? --- ## [The arithmetics of orders of magnitude](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-arithmetics-of-orders-of-magnitude/1017557)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2025, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-arithmetics-of-orders-of-magnitude/1017557 "2025-04-27T15:51:22Z")
When you’re comparing two quantities in terms of “orders of magnitude”, AIUI you’re essentially just counting the number of powers of ten between them. So If A has 10 (101) widgets and B has 10,000 (104), that’s a differ… --- ## [Is there a title for any kind of sports official ending in "-lator?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-title-for-any-kind-of-sports-official-ending-in-lator/1017472)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2025, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-title-for-any-kind-of-sports-official-ending-in-lator/1017472 "2025-04-26T19:04:28Z")
This is a memory from my early childhood. I was four years old and in junior kindergarten. There was an outdoor activity day at my public school, and there would have been team games. The one thing I remember of that da… --- ## [Sin-wise what’s the difference between wrath/ anger? Greed/Covetousness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sin-wise-what-s-the-difference-between-wrath-anger-greed-covetousness/1017513)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2025, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sin-wise-what-s-the-difference-between-wrath-anger-greed-covetousness/1017513 "2025-04-26T15:52:40Z")
I recently picked up a set of shot glasses at an estate sale. Each one has the name of a Deadly Sin, except for one that just says “Sins” on it. I was slightly puzzled that “Wrath” , “Anger”, “Greed”, and “covetousness”… --- ## [Whats the lead time on tariffs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-lead-time-on-tariffs/1016880)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2025, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-lead-time-on-tariffs/1016880 "2025-04-26T13:42:29Z")
So has all this on-again off-again flapping about by Trump actually changed any tariffs? Have there been millions of dollars of taxes actually charged in imports that have arrived at the ports in the time it takes Trump … --- ## [The Barton Organ at Chicago Stadium](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-barton-organ-at-chicago-stadium/542993)
**Author:** [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2025, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-barton-organ-at-chicago-stadium/542993 "2025-04-26T11:55:09Z")
So I periodically glance at the forums here (and post from time to time), and I just happened to glance at this “Chicago” sub-forum out of the corner of my eye. What luck! I’m a Canuck writing an M.A. Thesis on Hockey O… --- ## [Did aerial battle in World War II cause significant damage on the ground?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-aerial-battle-in-world-war-ii-cause-significant-damage-on-the-ground/1014370)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2025, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-aerial-battle-in-world-war-ii-cause-significant-damage-on-the-ground/1014370 "2025-04-26T08:06:14Z")
The TV series Master of the Air on AppleTV+ follows the missions of a squadron of B17 bombers in Europe during WWII. There are many scenes of our heroes flying through thick flak. There are other scenes when German fig… --- ## [Q about Bodies in Motion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-about-bodies-in-motion/1017254)
**Author:** [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2025, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-about-bodies-in-motion/1017254 "2025-04-26T05:30:23Z")
When two identical (or at least really similar) objects collide, and one is moving and the other is stationary, which is at greater danger of breaking? Does physics have a preference, or are they pretty much equally at r… --- ## [The Universe is spinning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-universe-is-spinning/1017408)
**Author:** [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2025, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-universe-is-spinning/1017408 "2025-04-25T15:01:30Z")
According to this article, the universe may be spinning. Spinning with respect to what? It doesn’t seem there would be anything to measure the spin relative to so the only thing I can think of is there’s evidence of … --- ## [How is “ő” pronounced in Hungarian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-o-pronounced-in-hungarian/1017429)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2025, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-o-pronounced-in-hungarian/1017429 "2025-04-25T14:57:09Z")
I’m curious about the effect of the diacritical mark in Hungarian names like “Erdős” and “Erdő”? --- ## [What would skydiving on Jupiter be like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-skydiving-on-jupiter-be-like/1017198)
**Author:** [@Hal1776](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal1776)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2025, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-skydiving-on-jupiter-be-like/1017198 "2025-04-25T07:43:08Z")
What would it be like to go skydiving on Jupiter, assuming you had a suit that would allow you to survive until you were at the core? --- ## [No downloading TurboTax anymore?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-downloading-turbotax-anymore/930906)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2025, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-downloading-turbotax-anymore/930906 "2025-04-25T01:35:30Z")
I went on TurboTax looking for the download and from what I can tell there is no more downloads, just doing your taxes online. Am I missing something? Will the downloadable version come later? Or is it all online now? … --- ## [Did a meteor form the Gulf of Mexico (sorry, America)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-a-meteor-form-the-gulf-of-mexico-sorry-america/1017336)
**Author:** [@DtypeJag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DtypeJag)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2025, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-a-meteor-form-the-gulf-of-mexico-sorry-america/1017336 "2025-04-24T22:43:24Z")
As everyone is aware, the Gulf looks like the remnant of a giant crater. Is anyone aware of any geological proof that it was created by the impact of a large meteor or asteroid? I don’t think I’ve ever heard any menti… --- ## [Is Bandcamp legit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bandcamp-legit/1017314)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2025, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bandcamp-legit/1017314 "2025-04-24T22:13:26Z")
I try to be careful and wary of anything online, especially when it comes to ID and money. However, a lot of the music that I like is only available on Bandcamp. Is Bandcamp legit, that is can I safely give them credit c… --- ## [How far has the Earth traveled in space since its formation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-has-the-earth-traveled-in-space-since-its-formation/1017414)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2025, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-has-the-earth-traveled-in-space-since-its-formation/1017414 "2025-04-24T17:33:45Z")
Since the Earth is revolving around the Sun, the Sun is revolving around the center of the Galaxy, and the Galaxy is moving throughout the universe, no doubt the Earth has moved a very long distance, perhaps thousands of… --- ## [Moby Dick and whale bites](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moby-dick-and-whale-bites/1017416)
**Author:** [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2025, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moby-dick-and-whale-bites/1017416 "2025-04-24T15:38:09Z")
Could a sperm whale bite off just the bottom half of one leg? I would think that if your legs were anywhere near a chomping whale that you’d lose more than that. --- ## [How Does Fiber Optic Data to a House Work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-fiber-optic-data-to-a-house-work/1017403)
**Author:** [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2025, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-fiber-optic-data-to-a-house-work/1017403 "2025-04-24T12:59:12Z")
Windstream/Kinetic will soon offer a fiber optic data connection to my address and I’m wondering how this will work. As I (poorly) understand it, the ISP tech will run a drop from the street to my house. Then, does the … --- ## [Why do the share prices of the companies owning stock exchanges suffer in a stock market downturn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-the-share-prices-of-the-companies-owning-stock-exchanges-suffer-in-a-stock-market-downturn/1016736)
**Author:** [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2025, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-the-share-prices-of-the-companies-owning-stock-exchanges-suffer-in-a-stock-market-downturn/1016736 "2025-04-24T04:45:30Z")
Out of courisity (to distract myself from my personal portfolio having lost a month’s worth of my net income these last few days) I have looked today at the share prices of some stock exchanges: ICE - Intercontinental E… --- ## [Only 30-50% of people have inner monologues?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-30-50-of-people-have-inner-monologues/1016567)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2025, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-30-50-of-people-have-inner-monologues/1016567 "2025-04-24T02:40:53Z")
I saw on a reddit thread that only 30-50% of people have inner monologues- i.e. don’t think in words. That seemed utterly ridiculous and fantastic, but lo and behold, it’s true. Woman without an inner monologue explain… --- ## [What information do dogs get from sniffing other dogs’ asses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-information-do-dogs-get-from-sniffing-other-dogs-asses/1017217)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2025, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-information-do-dogs-get-from-sniffing-other-dogs-asses/1017217 "2025-04-24T01:22:31Z")
Cats, too. Both species “greet” each other by sniffing anuses. Does the anus convey any information to the sniffer — age, sex, fertility, etc.? Or does it just convey a specific identifier, the way a face conveys someone… --- ## [Does the date of Easter favor some dates over others?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-date-of-easter-favor-some-dates-over-others/1017173)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2025, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-date-of-easter-favor-some-dates-over-others/1017173 "2025-04-23T18:53:52Z")
I know that there are 35 possible days which can be Easter Sunday, but over the millennia, has the distribution been consistent across all 35 dates? Is there a one in 35 chance that any Easter will be on 4/20? Or does th… --- ## [Quarks and Black Hole Spaghettification](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quarks-and-black-hole-spaghettification/1011531)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2025, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quarks-and-black-hole-spaghettification/1011531 "2025-04-22T22:58:35Z")
As an object falls into the gravity well of a black hole, extreme tidal forces can tear apart the object…even down to the quantum level. As you pull a quark from the pair or triple it is bound to, the energy pulling it … --- ## [These “tells” that give away knockoff merchandise](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-tells-that-give-away-knockoff-merchandise/1014850)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 154\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2025, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-tells-that-give-away-knockoff-merchandise/1014850 "2025-04-22T18:19:30Z")
I’m to understand that there are these signs that a designer product, such as a Gucci bag or a Rolex watch or Air Jordans or what have you, is a knockoff. Perhaps the knockoff second hand on your fake Rolex stops and sta… --- ## [ISP won't provide data usage stats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isp-wont-provide-data-usage-stats/1017317)
**Author:** [@Mortimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mortimus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2025, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isp-wont-provide-data-usage-stats/1017317 "2025-04-22T18:17:22Z")
I’m contemplating moving to a new ISP but there’s a catch. They have a data cap. Exceed that cap and they slow you down, like WAY down. My current ISP has no data cap that I’m aware of so I never needed to know how mu… --- ## [Cheating on the Texas Lottery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheating-on-the-texas-lottery/1017255)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2025, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheating-on-the-texas-lottery/1017255 "2025-04-22T10:56:42Z")
Today’s New York Times has a story of how a cabal from Europe managed to win the Texas lottery. -=Link=- In 2023 Colossus Bets from Europe, aided an American firm bought 26 million one-dollar tickets covering most or pe… --- ## [EXCEL Help once again. Updating a list to include data from each cell in a hyperlink](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-help-once-again-updating-a-list-to-include-data-from-each-cell-in-a-hyperlink/1017344)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2025, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-help-once-again-updating-a-list-to-include-data-from-each-cell-in-a-hyperlink/1017344 "2025-04-22T04:13:35Z")
What’s the fastest way to do this? Bonus points if it can be done without a script. I have a list in Column A. Suppose each cell in that column has a random 5 digit number. In Column B, I’d like to have a hyperlink stri… --- ## [How to reduce Gmail storage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reduce-gmail-storage/1017242)
**Author:** [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2025, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reduce-gmail-storage/1017242 "2025-04-21T22:41:37Z")
I got a message saying I am out of storage and must pay for more within one month or be locked out. How can I clean out my gmail/google storage? I already have the last 20 years of photos and videos i want on a SSHD an… --- ## [Problem with WEBP files](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-webp-files/1017247)
**Author:** [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2025, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-webp-files/1017247 "2025-04-20T09:00:17Z")
There’s this site I go to where I download pictures from. Recently many of them have started using the WEBP extension, which, as far as I’ve been able to determine, can save very large files with less memory use. The pro… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=45) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=47)