# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=606 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 607 --- ## [Substance on electric prong would prevent electrical current from being conducted from wall socket?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/substance-on-electric-prong-would-prevent-electrical-current-from-being-conducted-from-wall-socket/810810)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2018, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/substance-on-electric-prong-would-prevent-electrical-current-from-being-conducted-from-wall-socket/810810 "2018-03-19T10:47:16Z")
Strangely specific question - if a poster whose username begins with a V got a small amount of hand lotion (from his hand) onto the electric prong of a household device, would that prevent current from conducting from th… --- ## [What role, if any, did Japan and Germany play in India obtaining independence from the UK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-role-if-any-did-japan-and-germany-play-in-india-obtaining-independence-from-the-uk/810586)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2018, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-role-if-any-did-japan-and-germany-play-in-india-obtaining-independence-from-the-uk/810586 "2018-03-19T08:25:41Z")
I heard a mention of this today, but don’t know anything about the history. Did Japan and Germany play a role in getting India free from the UK? --- ## [Alternatives to Imperial AND metric length?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternatives-to-imperial-and-metric-length/810784)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2018, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternatives-to-imperial-and-metric-length/810784 "2018-03-19T05:09:20Z")
While working on craft projects, I find myself with surprising frequency wishing that I had a ruler demarcated in some measure bigger than 1/16 inch but smaller than 2 mm (about 1/12 inch). Basically I wish that I had ac… --- ## [American Civil War: Confederate soldiers who joined US Army after surrender?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-civil-war-confederate-soldiers-who-joined-us-army-after-surrender/619449)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2018, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-civil-war-confederate-soldiers-who-joined-us-army-after-surrender/619449 "2018-03-19T03:37:25Z")
Was there a significant number of Confederate soldiers who continued their military service after the surrender of the Confederacy by joining the US Army (US Navy, US Marine Corps) after 1865? I have read about at least… --- ## [Does a higher center of gravity help you run faster?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-higher-center-of-gravity-help-you-run-faster/810615)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2018, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-higher-center-of-gravity-help-you-run-faster/810615 "2018-03-19T00:09:33Z")
Many articles claim that having a high center of gravity helps someone run faster because they are able to lean more of their weight forward. When somone runs, at some point in their stride, both feet are in the air and… --- ## [People destroying their above grounds pools after summer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-destroying-their-above-grounds-pools-after-summer/810391)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2018, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-destroying-their-above-grounds-pools-after-summer/810391 "2018-03-18T23:38:31Z")
Seen several videos of people purposely destroying (and I don’t mean just draining) their large above grounds pools after (I assume) the warm summer season is over. Are these pools so inexpensive that people just replac… --- ## [What's the safest place in the U.S from natural disasters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-place-in-the-u-s-from-natural-disasters/810797)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2018, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-place-in-the-u-s-from-natural-disasters/810797 "2018-03-18T22:15:19Z")
Where can I go in the United States that’s safest from natural disasters of all kinds: earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, floods, lightning, et cetera? --- ## [Would our Solar System be exactly the same if it weren’t part of the Milky Way galaxy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-our-solar-system-be-exactly-the-same-if-it-weren-t-part-of-the-milky-way-galaxy/810771)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2018, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-our-solar-system-be-exactly-the-same-if-it-weren-t-part-of-the-milky-way-galaxy/810771 "2018-03-18T20:34:18Z")
If I understand correctly, there are star systems that exist in space that were created outside of a galaxy (or at least the galaxy’s gravitational influence), and also others that were ejected from their respective gala… --- ## [WWII: Did Allied naval bombardments EVER do anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-did-allied-naval-bombardments-ever-do-anything/665822)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2018, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-did-allied-naval-bombardments-ever-do-anything/665822 "2018-03-18T19:17:45Z")
Every time I read about or see a documentary about Allied amphibious assaults in WWII (Iwo Jima, Normandy, etc.), the story always seems to be the same: The naval ships fire thousands of tons of shells at the beach defen… --- ## [Why do militaries destroy the captured ammunition of terrorist organizations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-militaries-destroy-the-captured-ammunition-of-terrorist-organizations/810775)
**Author:** [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2018, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-militaries-destroy-the-captured-ammunition-of-terrorist-organizations/810775 "2018-03-18T17:58:33Z")
I often keep reading that military forces destroy the ammunition or weapons that they captured from the terrorist/illegal organizations (ISIS, Taliban, Al Qaeda and other groups in Syria etc.) As I know, ammunition is e… --- ## [What happens to a foster child's assets in New Jersey?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-a-foster-childs-assets-in-new-jersey/810728)
**Author:** [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2018, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-a-foster-childs-assets-in-new-jersey/810728 "2018-03-18T17:29:49Z")
For a child whose parents are deceased but leave behind a savings account, etc. what happens to the money? A Google search tells me some states at least attempt to get the child’s social security, etc. to pay for the ch… --- ## [Does my cargo van get better gas mileage when fully loaded?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-my-cargo-van-get-better-gas-mileage-when-fully-loaded/694389)
**Author:** [@TNWPsycho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TNWPsycho)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2014, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-my-cargo-van-get-better-gas-mileage-when-fully-loaded/694389 "2014-07-31T13:45:44Z")
I don’t have any hard evidence, just judging on my gas gauge. I drove 45 miles, 95% of it was freeway with gently rolling hills. In an empty 1-ton cargo van. Filled my van with fuel, then loaded it up with about 3,000 … --- ## [What was the legal/civil force of indentured servitude in the US? Specifically, Irish in mid 19th C.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-legal-civil-force-of-indentured-servitude-in-the-us-specifically-irish-in-mid-19th-c/810785)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2018, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-legal-civil-force-of-indentured-servitude-in-the-us-specifically-irish-in-mid-19th-c/810785 "2018-03-18T16:49:10Z")
See query, based on recent reading of the astounding abject situation of the first wave of immigrants after the Famine. --- ## [Vietnam and military records availability](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-and-military-records-availability/166988)
**Author:** [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2003, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-and-military-records-availability/166988 "2003-04-07T23:11:11Z")
Long story short - my dad works with a guy that is very “gung ho” about being a Vietnam vet war-hero type and everyone at work thinks this guy is lying - either he wasn’t there or he was just some regular grunt. The guy… --- ## [Is there a way to view a map the density of persons under or over a certain age by census block?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-view-a-map-the-density-of-persons-under-or-over-a-certain-age-by-census-block/810690)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2018, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-view-a-map-the-density-of-persons-under-or-over-a-certain-age-by-census-block/810690 "2018-03-18T13:04:25Z")
I’ve seen such maps before but I don’t know if this is publicly available. --- ## [How can I find population statistics for individual neighborhoods in Philadelphia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-population-statistics-for-individual-neighborhoods-in-philadelphia/810760)
**Author:** [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2018, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-population-statistics-for-individual-neighborhoods-in-philadelphia/810760 "2018-03-18T05:59:37Z")
I am looking to buy a house in Philadelphia and had a thought about looking at the population statistics in different neighborhoods. By looking at the data I would be able to see which neighborhood are increasing in size… --- ## [How can I draw this array thing in Photoshop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-draw-this-array-thing-in-photoshop/810724)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2018, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-draw-this-array-thing-in-photoshop/810724 "2018-03-18T01:21:39Z")
I want to make a diagram where I have 12 planes that arrayed in a perfect distance, or to make a even larger diagram with 100 human silhouettes (for example ,this is how many people died in xyz war and then a 100 human s… --- ## [Shipping costs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-costs/810739)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2018, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-costs/810739 "2018-03-18T00:50:11Z")
Is shipping through Paypal using UPS really this much cheaper? I need to return a 16 pound purchase from 21093 to 78728. If I go to the shipping counter at UPS it comes up with $40 as my cheapest option. USPS and FedE… --- ## [Working with radius's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-with-radiuss/810709)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2018, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-with-radiuss/810709 "2018-03-18T00:47:07Z")
Trying to figure out if there is some kind of process I can look up on line for something I am doing. I am creating forms for archery bows and trying to create as smooth as possible transitions. I want to play with quite… --- ## [A Math Question: How Can This Be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-math-question-how-can-this-be/810588)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-math-question-how-can-this-be/810588 "2018-03-17T20:50:59Z")
A Math Question: How Can This Be? You have an infinite line made up of one-inch units. Two checkers are on two of the units. The players alternate tossing a coin. Heads, the player moves his checker one unit to the lef… --- ## [What is the name of this 'Sherlock Holmes themed' movie?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-sherlock-holmes-themed-movie/810747)
**Author:** [@softie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/softie)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2018, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-sherlock-holmes-themed-movie/810747 "2018-03-17T19:55:14Z")
I’m looking for the name of modern ‘Sherlock Holmes’ movie , seen within the last 20 years. The movie opens in a clinical setting, the staff watching a group of mentally challenged teenagers getting their candy treat… --- ## [Anyone using Samsung Pay on a Gear watch? I can not get this to work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-using-samsung-pay-on-a-gear-watch-i-can-not-get-this-to-work/810743)
**Author:** [@batsto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/batsto)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2018, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-using-samsung-pay-on-a-gear-watch-i-can-not-get-this-to-work/810743 "2018-03-17T19:18:07Z")
So I’ve got Samsung pay working just fine on the samsung phone. I’ve verified, and re-verified repeatedly that I’m using the correct PIN, and it works when I type it on the phone. But I’ve got the same account set up on… --- ## [Identify this object off the coast of Norway](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-object-off-the-coast-of-norway/810726)
**Author:** [@Perderabo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perderabo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2018, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-object-off-the-coast-of-norway/810726 "2018-03-17T18:01:41Z")
https://www.google.com/maps/@60.0358938,5.3457029,713m/data=!3m1!1e3 This is an object or structure of some kind that I found on google maps. Can anyone tell me what it is? Thanks. --- ## [Does anyone know the source of these military quotations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-the-source-of-these-military-quotations/810719)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2018, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-the-source-of-these-military-quotations/810719 "2018-03-17T17:55:02Z")
Does anyone know the source of these two military quotations? “The generals are always prepared for the last war”. This appeared in a book by Barbara Tucman, but I suspect it is much older. The marching drill: I le… --- ## [Harrier jet and squash balls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harrier-jet-and-squash-balls/810539)
**Author:** [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2018, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harrier-jet-and-squash-balls/810539 "2018-03-17T10:35:50Z")
An odd memory surfaced in my brain this morning. I vaguely remember some article about government (UK) spending that involved the Harrier jumpjet and one of its service items. There was some bush that needed to be replac… --- ## [Why does water/ice have such a well-defined phase change point?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-water-ice-have-such-a-well-defined-phase-change-point/810512)
**Author:** [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2018, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-water-ice-have-such-a-well-defined-phase-change-point/810512 "2018-03-17T06:38:38Z")
It seems to me that a lot of solid materials like plastics and metal have a complex transition from solid to liquid. As you heat up metal, like iron, it gets softer and easier to shape before it finally liquefies. But … --- ## [Facebook question: My Facebook page and its post are not visible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-question-my-facebook-page-and-its-post-are-not-visible/810617)
**Author:** [@Wakinyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wakinyan)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2018, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-question-my-facebook-page-and-its-post-are-not-visible/810617 "2018-03-17T05:07:10Z")
I have a product I’m selling as a hobby. I created a Facebook page for my ”company”. Now there are two things that puzzles me. But let me first say: 1) While I have had a Facebook account for years, I mainly used it to f… --- ## [My computer thinks it has a CD drive that isn't there](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-computer-thinks-it-has-a-cd-drive-that-isnt-there/810598)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2018, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-computer-thinks-it-has-a-cd-drive-that-isnt-there/810598 "2018-03-17T01:07:08Z")
Windows 10 Home 64-bit. After my last reboot, my PC seems to think it has a CD drive mounted that it does not actually have. There is one physical DVD drive, which shows up, but it is prompting me to load a CD into a CD… --- ## [Is there actually a way to outright buy a share of a lottery jackpot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-actually-a-way-to-outright-buy-a-share-of-a-lottery-jackpot/761356)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2018, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-actually-a-way-to-outright-buy-a-share-of-a-lottery-jackpot/761356 "2018-03-17T00:15:58Z")
The big Powerball jackpot got me wondering: there’s often speculating about someone with sufficient capital buying all possible number combinations in a big lottery. Ignoring the wisdom of doing such a thing, is it actua… --- ## [Wireless Internet Doesn't Work or Very Slow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-internet-doesnt-work-or-very-slow/704188)
**Author:** [@Pauly01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pauly01)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2018, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-internet-doesnt-work-or-very-slow/704188 "2018-03-16T22:26:28Z")
We have optimum online internet. We were given the modem and also a router as well to use. Its the netgear n600 router. We also have VOIPO phone service as well connected as we need internet on or the voipo won’t work. I… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=605) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=607)