# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=589 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 590 --- ## [454 Chevy engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/454-chevy-engine/813549)
**Author:** [@Catsmeow222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catsmeow222)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2018, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/454-chevy-engine/813549 "2018-05-05T02:58:42Z")
What would make my 454 engine race so fast that it sounds like it will throw a rod ? We replaced a fly wheel and put a new starter with 10 teeth on my 1983 winnabago Brave class A motorhome. Went to start it up and it … --- ## [Lack of final periods in old magazine captions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lack-of-final-periods-in-old-magazine-captions/813486)
**Author:** [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2018, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lack-of-final-periods-in-old-magazine-captions/813486 "2018-05-05T02:09:43Z")
When I was a kid, I loved reading all my dad’s old issues of Popular Mechanics and Popular Science. I noticed that none of the captions that went with the photos or other illustrations had no periods. Does anybody know… --- ## [Early withdrawal from a pension plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-withdrawal-from-a-pension-plan/813597)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2018, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-withdrawal-from-a-pension-plan/813597 "2018-05-05T00:58:00Z")
Hello Everyone, I’m hoping there’s someone here with knowledge of pension plans. I worked for ten years at AT&T until becoming 100% disabled due to a workplace accident. I have a small pension plan with them, around … --- ## [Where are these banyan trees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-these-banyan-trees/813461)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2018, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-these-banyan-trees/813461 "2018-05-05T00:51:11Z")
From a scene in episode 1x18 of I Am Frankie. --- ## [Defining a quadratic equation from its definite integral and vertex](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-quadratic-equation-from-its-definite-integral-and-vertex/813581)
**Author:** [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2018, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-quadratic-equation-from-its-definite-integral-and-vertex/813581 "2018-05-05T00:01:50Z")
As always, not homework. Just trying to expand my math skillz. Given the following: a function has the form -ax^2 + bx + c = 0 (i.e., I know it is a downward facing parabola) I know the coordinates of the vertex, and… --- ## [What is the origin of the phrase “Money doesn’t grow on trees”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-the-phrase-money-doesn-t-grow-on-trees/813536)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2018, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-the-phrase-money-doesn-t-grow-on-trees/813536 "2018-05-04T23:21:45Z")
The title is the question. As a person who was born in India, I can confirm that the phrase is commonly used in Indian languages also. Do other Indo-European languages like French, German and Spanish have it too ? What … --- ## [Revoking an earned degree for non-academic reasons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revoking-an-earned-degree-for-non-academic-reasons/813360)
**Author:** [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2018, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revoking-an-earned-degree-for-non-academic-reasons/813360 "2018-05-04T23:13:11Z")
Bill Cosby has been awarded numerous honorary doctorate degrees over the years. As the publicity surrounding his misdeeds has grown, more and more of these honorary degrees have been revoked. However, Bill Cosby does h… --- ## [Tax question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-question/813605)
**Author:** [@SandyHook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandyHook)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2018, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-question/813605 "2018-05-04T22:56:30Z")
Not looking for legal advice and there is just about a .0000000001% chance of this becoming an issue, but. . . Recently I have taken up playing in Texas Hold-em tournaments. I’m not doing too badly so far. In about 20… --- ## [4D cinema smells](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4d-cinema-smells/813538)
**Author:** [@Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delicious)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2018, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4d-cinema-smells/813538 "2018-05-04T21:56:30Z")
I’ve seen a few adverts around town for a new 4d cinema screen at the local cinema. It sounds like its got things like the seats moving when stuff explodes, water splashing when there’s a storm and dry ice machines. Th… --- ## [Loop Quantum Unified Theory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loop-quantum-unified-theory/813485)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2018, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loop-quantum-unified-theory/813485 "2018-05-04T21:51:33Z")
Loop Quantum Gravity seems to be the leading alternative to String theory/M theory. Both build upon the smallest of metrics…the Planck Scale. M/Strings apply Planck Scale to the particles of matter and energy, where Qu… --- ## [Math Question: How Much To Bet A $1 Box/Wheel On Every Superfecta Combination With 20 Horses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-question-how-much-to-bet-a-1-box-wheel-on-every-superfecta-combination-with-20-horses/813593)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2018, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-question-how-much-to-bet-a-1-box-wheel-on-every-superfecta-combination-with-20-horses/813593 "2018-05-04T19:53:02Z")
I can’t do the math here. Let’s say (hypothetically) that I wanted to bet $1 on every possible Superfecta combination for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. There are 20 horses running (as of the last time I looked). What would … --- ## [In the movies, where do they get the swarms of rats intended to gross the audience out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-movies-where-do-they-get-the-swarms-of-rats-intended-to-gross-the-audience-out/813531)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2018, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-movies-where-do-they-get-the-swarms-of-rats-intended-to-gross-the-audience-out/813531 "2018-05-04T18:14:01Z")
Looking for a friend. --- ## [Why is water not a beverage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542)
**Author:** [@Smudge777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smudge777)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2018, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542 "2018-05-04T16:26:17Z")
I just learnt that the word ‘beverage’ in English tends to mean any potable liquid other than water. Considering the word’s etymology, this is surprising to me – especially because in other languages, the cognates inclu… --- ## [Brain concussion requires 80 Gs of force?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-concussion-requires-80-gs-of-force/813299)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2018, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-concussion-requires-80-gs-of-force/813299 "2018-05-04T16:09:25Z")
So I found this Quora question answerthat says that one cannot get a concussion from shaking their head too hard or rapidly because that can’t produce 80 Gs and 80 Gs is what is required for a concussion - but yet other … --- ## [Could US Navy Submarines search for MH370?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-us-navy-submarines-search-for-mh370/813472)
**Author:** [@curious11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curious11)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2018, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-us-navy-submarines-search-for-mh370/813472 "2018-05-04T14:55:11Z")
Hi All, After four years of not finding the missing plane, and news of searches called off for rough seas, I am curious if US Navy Submarines could aid in the search. Could they search with the equipment they have insta… --- ## [Distribution of energy in a rifle or gun](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/distribution-of-energy-in-a-rifle-or-gun/813478)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2018, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/distribution-of-energy-in-a-rifle-or-gun/813478 "2018-05-04T14:11:10Z")
Suppose a suspended a rifle from 2 strings so it is free to swing. How much of the energy would go back into the gun when it was fired as opposed to someone holding the gun up against their shoulder. And, is their a diff… --- ## [Why Are Watts a Bad Measure for Kitchen Appliances?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-watts-a-bad-measure-for-kitchen-appliances/813452)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2018, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-watts-a-bad-measure-for-kitchen-appliances/813452 "2018-05-04T13:11:44Z")
I am in the market for a stand mixer and the manufacturers often tout that their mixer is (say) 550 watts (or whatever). Presumably this means it is more powerful than machines with a lower wattage. But then a $2000 Ho… --- ## [Does Natural Frequency = Resonant Frequency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-natural-frequency-resonant-frequency/339762)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2018, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-natural-frequency-resonant-frequency/339762 "2018-05-04T05:52:08Z")
Well, are these two terms synonomous? --- ## [Are there any apps to generate maps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-apps-to-generate-maps/813465)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2018, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-apps-to-generate-maps/813465 "2018-05-04T05:48:10Z")
As a local historian I am working on an article about a area with numerous old quarry holes. It occurred to me that if I had an app that could store GPS data points and plot them on a grid I could easily set points at al… --- ## [Does a wrong way driver have the "right of way"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-wrong-way-driver-have-the-right-of-way/813405)
**Author:** [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2018, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-wrong-way-driver-have-the-right-of-way/813405 "2018-05-04T00:20:36Z")
Specifically if vehicle X is entering the roadway from a parking lot entrance/exit and vehicle Y traveling the wrong way makes a left turn into the same entrance/exit Does vehicle Y have right of way over vehicle X? --- ## [Left laptop power cable only half-plugged into laptop power socket](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-laptop-power-cable-only-half-plugged-into-laptop-power-socket/813519)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2018, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-laptop-power-cable-only-half-plugged-into-laptop-power-socket/813519 "2018-05-03T20:28:53Z")
So I use an Asus Vivobook and I finally realized the reason the battery was still running down - a duh moment - the power cable was only half-plugged into the laptop’s port. But… For many minutes, the laptop had hovere… --- ## [The Sharpness of Knives.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpness-of-knives/813428)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2018, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sharpness-of-knives/813428 "2018-05-03T20:09:18Z")
There was this story in the news about this cutting implement found at a caveman site. It consisted of a sharpened she’ll. But the cutting edge was a reportedly one molecule thick. This got me thinking. Is there, just g… --- ## [Why isn't credit card info stolen more often?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-credit-card-info-stolen-more-often/813353)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2018, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-credit-card-info-stolen-more-often/813353 "2018-05-03T18:24:40Z")
I frequently order stuff from a variety of online companies, and some of them are small outfits. Each time I provide my name, credit card number, expiration date, and security code. Yet after doing this for many years, n… --- ## [Any rat breeders here? Want to consistently breed the ugliest rat possible.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-rat-breeders-here-want-to-consistently-breed-the-ugliest-rat-possible/813520)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2018, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-rat-breeders-here-want-to-consistently-breed-the-ugliest-rat-possible/813520 "2018-05-03T18:12:25Z")
Appearance of a typical sewer rat is okay and the cutest allowable threshold. Hairless is okay I suppose, but something patchworky, and looking like it’s somewhat diseased is preferr… --- ## [The best bird song I.D. website/software?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-bird-song-i-d-website-software/813480)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2018, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-bird-song-i-d-website-software/813480 "2018-05-03T17:18:31Z")
Ok, I give up. Maybe\*\* Colibri \*\*can be of help here. I hear tons of interesting bird songs but I can’t for the life of me find a source that would help me i.d. them. A couple websites seem to have potential, but the … --- ## [Photography help needed. Why do the colors from emitted light come out wrong in my photos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photography-help-needed-why-do-the-colors-from-emitted-light-come-out-wrong-in-my-photos/813342)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2018, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photography-help-needed-why-do-the-colors-from-emitted-light-come-out-wrong-in-my-photos/813342 "2018-05-03T16:39:02Z")
This weekend a family member got married and I was the unofficial photographer at his wedding. For the most part the pictures came out as expected, certainly not professional quality, but the couple were happy with them.… --- ## [Calling All Herpetologists (Snake ID)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-herpetologists-snake-id/813464)
**Author:** [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2018, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-herpetologists-snake-id/813464 "2018-05-03T15:19:01Z")
My daughter took a short video of a snake she came across in northern Nevada and we’re hoping someone could ID it for us. Unfortunately she didn’t get a good shot of the head. So far, the best guess has been a Gopher Sna… --- ## [Insurance Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-question/813367)
**Author:** [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2018, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-question/813367 "2018-05-03T06:14:12Z")
Can someone please explain to me what the result would be based on the following scenario? Let’s say I have a very rare coin. Being the smart person I am, I have it insured. Then let’s say that someone steals it from … --- ## [Suicide by Potassium?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-potassium/703289)
**Author:** [@andrea\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrea_green)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2018, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-potassium/703289 "2018-05-02T22:01:35Z")
I was making a batch of homemade Soylent (complete meal replacement) yesterday and had to use 50 pills of potassium citrate for one day’s portion. It was a little unnerving to put so many pills into one batch but the re… --- ## [New Jersey and Oregon: better gas station safety?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-jersey-and-oregon-better-gas-station-safety/813158)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-jersey-and-oregon-better-gas-station-safety/813158 "2018-05-02T21:44:29Z")
AFAIK, New Jersey and Oregon are the only states where motorists aren’t allowed to pump their own gas. To be fair, there are occasional safety incidents in other states that are caused by dummy-dum-dum-heads doing dumb … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=588) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=590)