# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=487 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 488 --- ## [What is the truth about having at least one hair on someone's head means they have a full head of ha](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-truth-about-having-at-least-one-hair-on-someones-head-means-they-have-a-full-head-of-ha/829643)
**Author:** [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2019, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-truth-about-having-at-least-one-hair-on-someones-head-means-they-have-a-full-head-of-ha/829643 "2019-02-23T15:07:09Z")
I believe that mathematically speaking one hair can’t make the difference between being bald and not being bald. So is it the case that if someone has at least one hair on their head mathematically speaking they have a f… --- ## [Minimum laptop specs to play 1080 HD video ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimum-laptop-specs-to-play-1080-hd-video/688712)
**Author:** [@simple\_homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simple_homer)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2019, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimum-laptop-specs-to-play-1080-hd-video/688712 "2019-02-23T13:37:39Z")
My current laptop does not have the processing power to be able to play 1080 videos. What are the minimum specs needed to be able to play those HD videos ? I am just looking for a cheap laptop. --- ## [hydro power turbines: which types and why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hydro-power-turbines-which-types-and-why/829846)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2019, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hydro-power-turbines-which-types-and-why/829846 "2019-02-23T13:12:22Z")
Hoover Dam generates gigawatts of power for use by its customers using Francis turbines. However, the power to operate the dam itself (a couple of megawatts) is generated by a Pelton wheel. Given that both of these tu… --- ## [Highest and Lowest utilized elements ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-and-lowest-utilized-elements/829766)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2019, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-and-lowest-utilized-elements/829766 "2019-02-23T13:06:39Z")
Inspired by the thread on useless elements. So I’d like to define the relative use of an element to be a ratio of A and B where : A = Per annum quantity (weight) used by humans of the element either pure or in a compou… --- ## [Are adopted children of Jewish families Jewish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-adopted-children-of-jewish-families-jewish/829964)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2019, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-adopted-children-of-jewish-families-jewish/829964 "2019-02-23T01:01:07Z")
According to rabbinical law, you are Jewish if your mother is. What if you are adopted into a Jewish family? Do you automatically acquire that status or do you have to undergo formal conversion (which, as I understand … --- ## [Robert E. Lee Barracks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-e-lee-barracks/762006)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2019, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-e-lee-barracks/762006 "2019-02-22T16:40:21Z")
My google-fu fails me. Please help. When I was stationed in Germany back in the Bronze Age an American Army barracks in Mainz was named Robert E Lee or usually just called Lee Barracks. It was in Mainz. My failing memor… --- ## [Using PEX tubing to carry vaccuum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-pex-tubing-to-carry-vaccuum/829411)
**Author:** [@Translucent\_Daydream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Translucent_Daydream)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2019, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-pex-tubing-to-carry-vaccuum/829411 "2019-02-22T16:34:04Z")
Can you use PEX tubing to carry vacuum? I’m using vacuum to draw liquids out of a tank in my lab, and I prefer not to use pumps to push the liquid, its sort of volatile. The PEX standards I found online say that it wil… --- ## [Can POTUS order someone in the military to be court-martialed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-potus-order-someone-in-the-military-to-be-court-martialed/829814)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2019, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-potus-order-someone-in-the-military-to-be-court-martialed/829814 "2019-02-22T16:01:03Z")
Say POTUS doesn’t like something a U.S. military commander did - can he, as Commander in Chief, order a court-martial of that person? --- ## [Why does Kennedy Steve always direct "runway nnL shortened"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kennedy-steve-always-direct-runway-nnl-shortened/829938)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2019, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kennedy-steve-always-direct-runway-nnl-shortened/829938 "2019-02-22T14:38:00Z")
In almost every Kennedy Steve clip he’s directing traffic to “cross 22 Right Shortened” or “31L shortened”. A bit of googling reveals “shortened” means part of the runway is temporarily closed. But, he uses it that way … --- ## [How noisy inside a train locomotive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-noisy-inside-a-train-locomotive/829960)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2019, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-noisy-inside-a-train-locomotive/829960 "2019-02-22T14:13:19Z")
When a train is chugging across the countryside at speed, the engine is pretty loud for bystanders. The horn is of course extremely loud. How much of this sound is apparent for the operator in the cab? A locomotive do… --- ## [What is the name of the widget I seek?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-the-widget-i-seek/829963)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2019, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-the-widget-i-seek/829963 "2019-02-22T14:12:17Z")
I’m considering drilling a circular hole in a wall, about 25mm diameter so I can put cables through it. The wall is about 100mm thick - two pieces of wood with an air gap so I’ll need one for each side. On both sides I w… --- ## [Ambulance Robbery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ambulance-robbery/829822)
**Author:** [@l0k1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/l0k1)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2019, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ambulance-robbery/829822 "2019-02-22T09:43:01Z")
This question is sparked by a discussion on another board. Do ambulances get robbed in poor neighborhoods? I’m looking for statistics, or published news stories. I keep seeing anecdotes, but no evidence. A story that… --- ## [Wireless network - speed testing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-network-speed-testing/829920)
**Author:** [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2019, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-network-speed-testing/829920 "2019-02-22T06:53:01Z")
I’m on Verizon, latest iPhone. I started looking at my current data speed because I’m considering switching to a Verizon MVNO, and there seems to be considerable uncertainty over whether MVNOs are throttled. Anyway, I … --- ## [Does produce in a single package come from a single farm/plant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-produce-in-a-single-package-come-from-a-single-farm-plant/829922)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2019, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-produce-in-a-single-package-come-from-a-single-farm-plant/829922 "2019-02-22T05:27:10Z")
Just a silly thing I’ve wondered about occasionally. Say I buy a bag of 20 clementines or a package of asparagus spears at the supermarket. How close to each other can I assume the contents were grown/picked? Is it a … --- ## [Can the FAA penalize or sanction airlines and/or airports for poor performance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-faa-penalize-or-sanction-airlines-and-or-airports-for-poor-performance/829988)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2019, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-faa-penalize-or-sanction-airlines-and-or-airports-for-poor-performance/829988 "2019-02-22T04:51:33Z")
I’ve found several examples of the FAA issuing fines against airports, airlines, and even unruly passengers. But it appears to be only for maintenance/safety issues. What about an airline that is habitually delayed? Or … --- ## [Why does New Hampshire get to hold the first presidential primary? (and are there similar laws?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-hampshire-get-to-hold-the-first-presidential-primary-and-are-there-similar-laws/829934)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2019, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-hampshire-get-to-hold-the-first-presidential-primary-and-are-there-similar-laws/829934 "2019-02-22T02:37:27Z")
If you ask people around here why we have the first primary in the US presidential elections, they’ll say that it’s because we have a state law that says our primary must be at least a week before any other primaries. Th… --- ## [tax theory Q: why is a savings account bonus considered as interest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-theory-q-why-is-a-savings-account-bonus-considered-as-interest/829921)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2019, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-theory-q-why-is-a-savings-account-bonus-considered-as-interest/829921 "2019-02-22T01:09:28Z")
I’m curious as to why a $200 bonus I received for having opened a savings account is treated as interest. Interest on what? Certainly not on my deposit, otherwise I’d be eligible for it every year. I don’t know about … --- ## [Question for non-Americans? Word for "jacknife"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-non-americans-word-for-jacknife/829898)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2019, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-non-americans-word-for-jacknife/829898 "2019-02-22T00:25:44Z")
In the US when we have a semi truck and trailer get into a locked position like shown HERE, we say it is “jackknifed”. Because it resembles a folding pocket knife called a jacknife. So what word is used in other countri… --- ## [Network Attached Storage, mixed drive types](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-attached-storage-mixed-drive-types/829928)
**Author:** [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2019, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-attached-storage-mixed-drive-types/829928 "2019-02-22T00:07:01Z")
I see some NAS are being sold with e.g. 4x 3.5" bays, 2x 2.5" bays, and 2x M.2 SSD. I understand the purpose of the 3.5", but most 2.5" drives sold don’t match the capacity of 3.5", and SSDs certainly don’t. WD Red 3.5" … --- ## [Windows Explorer question - Windows 7](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-explorer-question-windows-7/829981)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2019, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-explorer-question-windows-7/829981 "2019-02-21T21:36:55Z")
I have two folders with thousands of graphic images. One has 6000 and the other 9000 files. When I open those folders a progress bar slowly creeps across the top of the menu. This takes 2 or 3 minutes. What is it doing? … --- ## [What does "yu yubai" mean in Chinese?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-yu-yubai-mean-in-chinese/829786)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2019, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-yu-yubai-mean-in-chinese/829786 "2019-02-21T21:04:05Z")
Just curious–it is a color option on the Galaxy S10. (And yes, I know that there is more than one dialect of “Chinese.”) --- ## [Losing mouse functionality in Google Chrome](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-mouse-functionality-in-google-chrome/824187)
**Author:** [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2019, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-mouse-functionality-in-google-chrome/824187 "2019-02-21T19:09:05Z")
For the last few weeks I’ve been having a problem with Google Chrome. The first symptom will be that mouse-overs don’t work on hyperlinks. Eventually, I will not be able to click on hyperlinks at all; nothing happens. Sh… --- ## [Can Sen. McConnell stop a Senate vote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sen-mcconnell-stop-a-senate-vote/829767)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2019, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sen-mcconnell-stop-a-senate-vote/829767 "2019-02-21T18:07:40Z")
I hope this will be a simple question. Hopefully I can get the answer before this thread devolves to a political one. I am just interested in the mechanics of Senate voting. As majority leader can Sen. McConnell stop a … --- ## [How can I get a google map?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-google-map/829924)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2019, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-google-map/829924 "2019-02-21T17:03:32Z")
It used to be that if I googled, say, New York, there were a number of choices across the top of the page, one of which was map and clicking on that would load the google map. This has disappeared. Even if I google map… --- ## [Citizens groups in the US suing the federal government.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/citizens-groups-in-the-us-suing-the-federal-government/829808)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2019, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/citizens-groups-in-the-us-suing-the-federal-government/829808 "2019-02-21T16:53:37Z")
How does that work? What gives them special standing to sue? I doubt that just anybody can do it. One example: the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington is suing the Justice Department “accusing it of fai… --- ## [Chinese Translation Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-translation-question/829948)
**Author:** [@yearofglad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yearofglad)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2019, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-translation-question/829948 "2019-02-21T14:53:51Z")
Inspired (and reminded) by the couple Chinese translation questions on here: I play badminton with a group of Chinese speakers (please don’t derail this thread into one about dialects, Mandarin, etc.) - the best I can s… --- ## [Question about a Greek Myth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-greek-myth/829944)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2019, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-greek-myth/829944 "2019-02-21T11:44:56Z")
I have only the very, very faintest memory of a Greek Myth (I think) about the following: A Greek God (or mortal) is washing (or dipping) a vase (or something like a vase) and forgets to move his hand, so that the part … --- ## [When is the best time to plant azeleas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-best-time-to-plant-azeleas/829878)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2019, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-best-time-to-plant-azeleas/829878 "2019-02-21T06:01:49Z")
Question in the title. I have a spot that’s open, it’s perfect for azaleas, and I’ll have time to plant them. When’s the best time? Early spring late spring, what sustained temperature? And anything else the green thumbs… --- ## [What helicopter did I see today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-helicopter-did-i-see-today/829876)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2019, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-helicopter-did-i-see-today/829876 "2019-02-21T03:43:49Z")
More specifically, whose? As I was getting the mail and talking to our postal person today, a CH-47 Chinook flew overhead, quite loudly. I could ID the type instantly, but the color scheme threw me. It was painted white… --- ## [Who is Puddentain \[sp?\] and why is his/her number “cucumber”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-puddentain-sp-and-why-is-his-her-number-cucumber/48025)
**Author:** [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2019, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-puddentain-sp-and-why-is-his-her-number-cucumber/48025 "2019-02-21T01:40:02Z")
I learned this verse at my father’s knee, but I have never understood what the heck it was supposed to mean. Who wrote it? Who/what is Puddentain? Is that the right spelling? Is Puddentain male or female? Is the number… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=486) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=488)