# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=508 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 509 --- ## [loud trumpet...where does the energy come from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loud-trumpet-where-does-the-energy-come-from/826445)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2018, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loud-trumpet-where-does-the-energy-come-from/826445 "2018-12-21T03:19:00Z")
I was thinking the other day about how loud trumpets and other horns can be, but it really seems like the sound energy going into them is considerably less that what comes out. Sure, we say that the horn “magnifies” or … --- ## [How big around is an Apple watch magnetic charger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-around-is-an-apple-watch-magnetic-charger/826396)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2018, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-around-is-an-apple-watch-magnetic-charger/826396 "2018-12-20T22:42:36Z")
A family member has requested an Apple watch charging station, and I’m in the middle of building one. I need to know how big around the magnetic charging head is, so I can fit it correctly. If someone has one handy, and … --- ## [What to do with a box of old foreign money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-box-of-old-foreign-money/826075)
**Author:** [@Chetumal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chetumal)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2018, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-box-of-old-foreign-money/826075 "2018-12-20T21:30:53Z")
An elderly relative who used to travel extensively just gave me a box of miscellaneous foreign currency (I’m in the US) that he had amassed. Mostly coins but some paper bills. I see two 100 franc bills, 45,000 Mexican pe… --- ## [Melting down pennies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melting-down-pennies/826229)
**Author:** [@Frank\_Burly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank_Burly)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2018, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melting-down-pennies/826229 "2018-12-20T15:51:09Z")
Supposing I wanted to melt pennies into copper ingots for resale: Is there a way to do it efficiently that doesn’t require an industrial furnace? How many pennies would I need to make it profitable? --- ## [What are these underwater mountains in the North Atlantic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-underwater-mountains-in-the-north-atlantic/826358)
**Author:** [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2018, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-underwater-mountains-in-the-north-atlantic/826358 "2018-12-20T13:47:04Z")
I was looking at a map of a shipwreck off Nantucket and saw to the south what looks like a range of underwater mountains, or an archipelago of underwater islands, off the continental shelf. Google isn’t coming up with an… --- ## [Can I clone a PS4 hard drive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-clone-a-ps4-hard-drive/826395)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2018, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-clone-a-ps4-hard-drive/826395 "2018-12-20T03:29:40Z")
My son is asking about a storage upgrade for his PS4. You can add an external USB 3.0 drive (probably what we will do) or replace the internal 2.5" drive. All the guides say to back up the old drive to a USB drive, but i… --- ## [Are there other technologies like Muslin that the British killed ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-other-technologies-like-muslin-that-the-british-killed/826232)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2018, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-other-technologies-like-muslin-that-the-british-killed/826232 "2018-12-20T02:44:53Z")
So Muslin was a fine fabric valued its weight in gold during Roman times. It was invented in India and there was a booming industry exporting the fabric to the Middle East and Europe. Fast forward to the British arrival… --- ## [Plumbing issue - removing tub faucet spindle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-removing-tub-faucet-spindle/826379)
**Author:** [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2018, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-issue-removing-tub-faucet-spindle/826379 "2018-12-20T02:14:10Z")
It looks like one of the washers on our two handle tub faucet has failed - closing the faucet only shuts off about 90% of the water volume. I have some replacement washers already. I got the escutcheon off with no issu… --- ## [Materials that remain strong and flexible at liquid nitrogen temperatures?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/materials-that-remain-strong-and-flexible-at-liquid-nitrogen-temperatures/826391)
**Author:** [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2018, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/materials-that-remain-strong-and-flexible-at-liquid-nitrogen-temperatures/826391 "2018-12-19T23:24:24Z")
Long story made short, some time ago, I saw a TV show that was some kind of futuristic crime drama. I don’t remember what the show was and it’s not terribly important to me to identify it. What matters is that the MacGuf… --- ## [Low voltage (~9.3V) on car headlight - any recommendations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-voltage-9-3v-on-car-headlight-any-recommendations/823188)
**Author:** [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2018, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-voltage-9-3v-on-car-headlight-any-recommendations/823188 "2018-12-19T15:42:33Z")
My 2011 Ford Fusion is only registering ~9.3 V on the headlamp connector, when I’m imagining it should be up around 12. This is a problem as that doesn’t seem to be sufficient to activate the aftermarket HID lights curr… --- ## [What is this toy and how does it work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-toy-and-how-does-it-work/826030)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2018, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-toy-and-how-does-it-work/826030 "2018-12-19T01:29:42Z")
Relevant pictures I get that it is some kind of desk display thing where the wheel spins and the whole thing spins around. Something like that. But how do the batteries figure into this thing? It has 4 AA batteries i… --- ## [How would our earth be different if it rotated clockwise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-our-earth-be-different-if-it-rotated-clockwise/826210)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2018, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-our-earth-be-different-if-it-rotated-clockwise/826210 "2018-12-19T01:10:47Z")
Looking at the solar system from the north, my understanding is that the earth would appear to revolve in a counter-clockwise direction. It also rotates in the same direction, which is why the sun rises in the east. Be… --- ## [What groups don't observe a December/winter holiday?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-groups-dont-observe-a-december-winter-holiday/826272)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2018, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-groups-dont-observe-a-december-winter-holiday/826272 "2018-12-19T00:38:59Z")
The ancient Celtic pagans didn’t have one until they borrowed Yule from the Norse pagans. They celebrated Samhain around November 1st, then went into their huts and didn’t observe any holiday until Imbolc around February… --- ## [PDF files in Firefox](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pdf-files-in-firefox/826341)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2018, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pdf-files-in-firefox/826341 "2018-12-18T23:26:18Z")
I download or view a fair number of PDFs. I must have checked the “Take this action every time” box when I downloaded one. Now it does not give me the choice, the only thing I can do is download. How do I get back the c… --- ## [Are there any Italian surnames not ending in a vowel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-italian-surnames-not-ending-in-a-vowel/333780)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2018, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-italian-surnames-not-ending-in-a-vowel/333780 "2018-12-18T22:07:06Z")
I have never, in my entire life, seen a single Italian surname not ending in I, E, O or A. Are there any? --- ## [Where can I find small pill guns for cats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-find-small-pill-guns-for-cats/826333)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2018, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-find-small-pill-guns-for-cats/826333 "2018-12-18T22:06:02Z")
I frequently have to pill my cat Tikva, and it would be a lot easier if the pill poppers came in a reasonable size. Say four inches or less. But no, every one I can find that lists the size is at least six inches. And mo… --- ## [What's SD on defacing of Anceint Egyptian statues to remove African features](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sd-on-defacing-of-anceint-egyptian-statues-to-remove-african-features/826248)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2018, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sd-on-defacing-of-anceint-egyptian-statues-to-remove-african-features/826248 "2018-12-18T21:09:46Z")
So I heard this theory on social media for the first time. Anyone know the SD on it? The claim is that western archeologists/collectors deliberately defaced (literally) ancient Egyptiam statues to remove sub-saharan Af… --- ## [240V Heater wire connections (3 phase)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/240v-heater-wire-connections-3-phase/826305)
**Author:** [@jason\_alt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jason_alt)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2018, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/240v-heater-wire-connections-3-phase/826305 "2018-12-18T20:32:31Z")
Hello, I’m having an issue with a 10,000w heater I purchased at Princess Auto and installed in my garage. After wiring it up, all it does is make a loud (grinding?) noise and the fan doesn’t turn. https://photos.app.go… --- ## [Computer help needed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-help-needed/826199)
**Author:** [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2018, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-help-needed/826199 "2018-12-18T18:07:35Z")
So i got my kid a new computer and he’s downloading all his games and such when it says he’s out of space. So i look and there’s two drives on the thing a C drive with only 111 GB and a D drive that the computer isn’t us… --- ## [Using bags of concrete to dam a small stream?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-bags-of-concrete-to-dam-a-small-stream/826158)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2018, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-bags-of-concrete-to-dam-a-small-stream/826158 "2018-12-18T17:50:00Z")
There is a small stream on my property here in Hawaii. I want to partially dam it and create a small pond on the down side of the dam so my ducks have some place to swim. There are some large rocks in the stream, but no… --- ## [It's the law: Poe, Gaudere, Murphy, Sturgeon and...?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-law-poe-gaudere-murphy-sturgeon-and/826303)
**Author:** [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2018, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-law-poe-gaudere-murphy-sturgeon-and/826303 "2018-12-18T17:05:32Z")
An observation crystalized for me today in the sentence “There’s always that one fucking guy”, or more properly “There’s always That. One. Fucking. Guy.” Is this observation one that’s already been formulated and name… --- ## [German WWII POWs transported to the U.S.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-wwii-pows-transported-to-the-u-s/826287)
**Author:** [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2018, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-wwii-pows-transported-to-the-u-s/826287 "2018-12-18T15:37:55Z")
I know that many thousands of German and Italian WWII POWs were transported from Europe and Africa to the United States by ship. I was wondering, were any of them killed during the transport from attacks by German u-boat… --- ## [Chemical reaction...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chemical-reaction/826318)
**Author:** [@Dsj003](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dsj003)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2018, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chemical-reaction/826318 "2018-12-18T14:43:42Z")
Camping in a tent.Hhusband peed in an old aluminum pot. It was smelling, so he added bleach straight. Left bleach in the pot, and the next time he peed, with bleach in the pot, some type of reaction happened. Fumes, … --- ## [SCOTUS and 'Confession of Error'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-and-confession-of-error/826154)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2018, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-and-confession-of-error/826154 "2018-12-18T06:18:41Z")
How frequently does SCOTUS refuse to grant cert to a Solicitor General’s petition on the basis of ‘confession of error’? In fact, does SCOTUS ever hear such cases but then declines to vacate the lower court’s judgment)? … --- ## [Typical brake bias figure for an SUV?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typical-brake-bias-figure-for-an-suv/826275)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2018, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typical-brake-bias-figure-for-an-suv/826275 "2018-12-18T05:41:01Z")
For passenger vehicles, the front brakes are designed to provide quite a bit more braking than the rear brakes. Can someone provide a ball-park figure for an SUV? That is, what percentage of braking effort is provided … --- ## [Does "cold" mean illness across a large number of languages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cold-mean-illness-across-a-large-number-of-languages/826128)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2018, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cold-mean-illness-across-a-large-number-of-languages/826128 "2018-12-18T02:02:41Z")
I had no luck in Google with this because I couldn’t come up with a phrasing that addressed what I was trying to ask. In English, we use the word “cold” to mean a minor, routine seasonal illness- “I have a cold.” Do ot… --- ## [Stolen WiFi: What was this guy complaining about?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stolen-wifi-what-was-this-guy-complaining-about/825825)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2018, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stolen-wifi-what-was-this-guy-complaining-about/825825 "2018-12-18T01:20:27Z")
I got an angry phone call today from a local number (note: My number is from an out-of-state area code), from someone complaining that I was stealing his WiFi, and yelling at me to stop. I have no idea what he was talk… --- ## [Has human technological levels ever regressed? When/how much?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-human-technological-levels-ever-regressed-when-how-much/450336)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2018, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-human-technological-levels-ever-regressed-when-how-much/450336 "2018-12-17T23:36:49Z")
One of the driving prognostications behind apocalyptic Peak Oil believers is that when we run out of oil, human civilization will be knocked back centuries in terms of technology and its advancement. Someone here descri… --- ## [Need fix for browser throttling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-fix-for-browser-throttling/826056)
**Author:** [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2018, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-fix-for-browser-throttling/826056 "2018-12-17T21:04:57Z")
I’m using a fairly new iMac running High Sierra(starring Leif Ericson and Cameron Mitchell). The issue I’m having is that a javascript site I use on chrome (it’s an idle game) slows down by about 90% when the display sle… --- ## [EU official languages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eu-official-languages/826178)
**Author:** [@Hoppy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoppy)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2018, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eu-official-languages/826178 "2018-12-17T20:26:51Z")
When (if) Britain leaves the EU, will English cease to be an official language ? So does that mean it will no longer be used in EU documents and at conferences ? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=507) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=509)