# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=66 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 67 --- ## [Inflating car tires](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inflating-car-tires/1010014)
**Author:** [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2024, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inflating-car-tires/1010014 "2024-11-17T04:58:14Z")
My husband and I have an ongoing dispute about putting air in car tires. I insist on having him do it, being more than a little afraid of having a tire explode at me (happened to me with a bike tire I was inflating in my… --- ## [What piano piece is this? Mozart most likely](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-piano-piece-is-this-mozart-most-likely/1010028)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2024, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-piano-piece-is-this-mozart-most-likely/1010028 "2024-11-17T00:52:22Z")
Shazam has not helped my daughter and she wants me to seek out the piano sheet music for this piece, which is probably public domain. The video suggests Mozart, so I would think it is rather simple to identify, but we ca… --- ## [Can gravity make gravity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-gravity-make-gravity/1010220)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2024, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-gravity-make-gravity/1010220 "2024-11-16T01:53:29Z")
Mass distorts spacetime: this distortion is gravity. Energy equals mass time the speed of light squared. If matter and energy are equivalent/interchangeable, then energy can create gravity, too…yes? In this thread, C… --- ## [What laws apply to paid political endorsements?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-laws-apply-to-paid-political-endorsements/1010251)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2024, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-laws-apply-to-paid-political-endorsements/1010251 "2024-11-16T00:33:53Z")
I remember it was common for political tv and radio ads to end with a paid for by … disclaimer. I don’t remember hearing that disclaimer in my local or national political ads. What about Celebrity Endorsement? Anyone c… --- ## [Shopping cart question - dangling wire between front wheels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-cart-question-dangling-wire-between-front-wheels/1009994)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2024, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-cart-question-dangling-wire-between-front-wheels/1009994 "2024-11-15T15:31:50Z")
I’ve noticed that shopping carts now have little dangling wires between the two front wheels. Just long enough to touch the ground. “Wire” isn’t quite right. More like small gauge metal cable? --- ## [How to replace the spring in an old cupboard hinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-replace-the-spring-in-an-old-cupboard-hinge/1010179)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2024, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-replace-the-spring-in-an-old-cupboard-hinge/1010179 "2024-11-15T08:39:59Z")
Our kitchen has cupboards that I suppose date back to the 1970s. The hinges are spring-loaded so that they snap shut. I opened one of the cupboards the other day and the spring in the hinge flew out. I retrieved it fr… --- ## [Deportation: What if no country agrees to take them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-what-if-no-country-agrees-to-take-them/1010097)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2024, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-what-if-no-country-agrees-to-take-them/1010097 "2024-11-15T01:34:05Z")
Donald Trump has promised to deport as many as 10 million people from the US. What happens if no country(s) agree to take them? (Please remember this is in FQ) --- ## [What do the upper-middle class in poorer countries do to save money that the lower-middle class in richer countries don't?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-upper-middle-class-in-poorer-countries-do-to-save-money-that-the-lower-middle-class-in-richer-countries-dont/1010181)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2024, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-upper-middle-class-in-poorer-countries-do-to-save-money-that-the-lower-middle-class-in-richer-countries-dont/1010181 "2024-11-14T23:45:03Z")
I found it interesting travelling around Southeast Asia and Balkans and staying at some fairly nice AirBNBs and people’s homes that, the hot water heater was by default off and had to be turned on whenever you took a sho… --- ## [What is the deal with car/truck tires in Ghana?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-deal-with-car-truck-tires-in-ghana/1009681)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2024, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-deal-with-car-truck-tires-in-ghana/1009681 "2024-11-14T18:11:18Z")
My wife and I watch 90-Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days. Don’t judge. She enjoys the show and I enjoy the together time. Anyway, one of the couples is based in the West African Republic of Ghana. In yesterday’s episod… --- ## [GFI outlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gfi-outlet/1010208)
**Author:** [@mglambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mglambo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gfi-outlet/1010208 "2024-11-13T19:54:02Z")
I have small pond in my landscaping…The pump is powered by underground wiring from a GFI outlet under my deck. The GFI keeps tripping. When I push the red reset button it comes on for 15 seconds or so, then it trips aga… --- ## [Paper size question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-size-question/927598)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-size-question/927598 "2024-11-13T17:43:42Z")
North American Letter size paper is 8 1/2" x 11", an “aspect ratio” of 22/17 or about 1.2941. Is there any other common standard size that is closer to 1/1, or squarer, than this? If there is, my Google-fu fails me; A4 f… --- ## [varicose veins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/varicose-veins/558751)
**Author:** [@clearglass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clearglass)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/varicose-veins/558751 "2024-11-13T07:15:50Z")
My varicose veins are caused by failure of a valve in the upper thigh. Although heart valves are replaced, my doctor never heard of replacement of a valve in the leg nor could he give me a reason this is not done. Is i… --- ## [Bizarre, preposterous videos about the UK royals on YouTube](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bizarre-preposterous-videos-about-the-uk-royals-on-youtube/1009292)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bizarre-preposterous-videos-about-the-uk-royals-on-youtube/1009292 "2024-11-13T04:21:58Z")
(No link, because I don’t believe in linking to inane nonsense, or I’m pretty sure it’s nonsense) I don’t normally follow the Royal Family, but I occasionally catch some of these videos when my wife watches them. The … --- ## [Straight Dope on postage rates needed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-on-postage-rates-needed/825919)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2024, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-on-postage-rates-needed/825919 "2024-11-12T21:12:18Z")
I went to mail a slightly oversize envelope, the dimensions of which are 4 11/16" x 9 15/16" ; under 1/4" thick and weight 0.6 oz. By every guideline I could find on the USPS web sites this should have been eligible for … --- ## [Subpoenaed to testify. No lawyers have contacted me -- should they have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subpoenaed-to-testify-no-lawyers-have-contacted-me-should-they-have/1009506)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2024, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subpoenaed-to-testify-no-lawyers-have-contacted-me-should-they-have/1009506 "2024-11-12T17:55:00Z")
I received a subpoena commanding me to appear personally before the City Alderman and testify in a case. I had witnessed an auto accident, and the defendant is accused of following too closely and not having proof of ins… --- ## [Wi-Fi cut off point](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-cut-off-point/1010036)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2024, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-cut-off-point/1010036 "2024-11-12T14:53:49Z")
Wi-Fi at some businesses is quite far ranging. You can usually hook up to a McDonald’s Wi-Fi signal from hundreds of feet away. I have seen a device on the back of my local McDonald’s that I think is an outdoor antenna. … --- ## [What's going on when speaker phase errors happen in sound system automatic optimization?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-when-speaker-phase-errors-happen-in-sound-system-automatic-optimization/1008980)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2024, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-when-speaker-phase-errors-happen-in-sound-system-automatic-optimization/1008980 "2024-11-12T14:01:08Z")
I’m trying to understand the significance of an error message I get in my 5.1 home theatre sound system when I run the optimizer program using the included microphone. The program gives a phase error warning for both th… --- ## [MS Word - Clean copy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-clean-copy/1010025)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2024, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-clean-copy/1010025 "2024-11-12T00:34:45Z")
I’ve written a document in MS Word and now want to send a clean copy out for a review. I don’t want previous versions of the document to be seen by the recipient. If I copy the entire document into a new MS Word blank,… --- ## [Swedish Homefront during WWII](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swedish-homefront-during-wwii/1009941)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2024, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swedish-homefront-during-wwii/1009941 "2024-11-11T00:43:40Z")
“Homefront” probably isn’t the right word since Sweden was a neutral country, but what was daily life actually like? How strict was rationing? Did major cities have blackout rules? Was it basically like the British Homef… --- ## [Salmon: Is there a reason to not just scoop up salmon that are dying after they spawn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salmon-is-there-a-reason-to-not-just-scoop-up-salmon-that-are-dying-after-they-spawn/1009943)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2024, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salmon-is-there-a-reason-to-not-just-scoop-up-salmon-that-are-dying-after-they-spawn/1009943 "2024-11-10T21:50:06Z")
Bears do it. Why don’t we see lots of people just grabbing dying salmon from a stream after they spawn? It seems a great way to get some fresh salmon. Easy to catch and (presumably) environmentally friendly since they… --- ## [Lead Chelation Treatment - why not routine in adults over a certain age](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lead-chelation-treatment-why-not-routine-in-adults-over-a-certain-age/1009541)
**Author:** [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2024, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lead-chelation-treatment-why-not-routine-in-adults-over-a-certain-age/1009541 "2024-11-10T20:43:16Z")
I’ve been reading where low level lead is still a medical issue, particularly in adults who were children during the age where lead paint exposure was more widespread. Also mentioned was the lead chelation is helpful to… --- ## [A computer search engine puzzlement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-computer-search-engine-puzzlement/1009936)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2024, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-computer-search-engine-puzzlement/1009936 "2024-11-10T20:18:50Z")
Okay, this (to me) is kind of weird. My wife and I use different computers connected to the same network. She uses an iMac and I have a PC laptop, neither of which can, as far as I know, talk to each other. We both use C… --- ## [What happens when you refuse to answer a deposition question?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-you-refuse-to-answer-a-deposition-question/1010038)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2024, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-you-refuse-to-answer-a-deposition-question/1010038 "2024-11-10T18:09:04Z")
I was watching a video that involved cops giving depositions when they screwed up with a capital F. Two responses triggered this question so I’ll address each separately. Oh and assume no objection from the other attor… --- ## [Weird phone message](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-phone-message/1009552)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2024, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-phone-message/1009552 "2024-11-10T13:09:24Z")
I got a weird phone message saying “I left the chat”. I’ve never been involved in a chat. Anybody know what’s going on? Should I be worried that somebody’s been listening to my phone calls? --- ## [Any I-Pad wizards here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-i-pad-wizards-here/1009945)
**Author:** [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2024, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-i-pad-wizards-here/1009945 "2024-11-09T14:28:43Z")
Bought the wife a new I-Pad. Migrated everything over from the cloud backup. For some reason logins and passwords don’t port over. OK. When I enter login and password, the various apps will not save the passwords. C… --- ## [District of Columbia law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-of-columbia-law/1009893)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2024, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-of-columbia-law/1009893 "2024-11-08T20:58:51Z")
Is any crime committed within the boundaries of Washington D.C. a federal crime? What about what would ordinarily be non-federal crimes if they were committed in a state? Does the President have full power of pardon over… --- ## [Yeah, but WHY is c the speed limit of the universe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-but-why-is-c-the-speed-limit-of-the-universe/1008837)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2024, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-but-why-is-c-the-speed-limit-of-the-universe/1008837 "2024-11-08T11:05:26Z")
I understand that as an object nears the speed of light its mass increases and approaches infinite mass so it’s near its maximum speed. But my question is why the speed of light? What is so magical about it that it pre… --- ## [Theory behind insulation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theory-behind-insulation/1009794)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2024, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theory-behind-insulation/1009794 "2024-11-07T22:57:08Z")
Suppose I was building a house a couple of hundred years ago and I was using hay or leaves for insulation. How would I know how tight or loosely to pack it? What are some of the rules that apply to insulating? Lets say I… --- ## [What if the Earth Spun in the Opposite Direction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-earth-spun-in-the-opposite-direction/1009710)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2024, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-earth-spun-in-the-opposite-direction/1009710 "2024-11-07T21:01:32Z")
Awoken by a random thought in the middle of the night. That and I have to get up to go pee. What would have happened if the Earth spun in the opposite direction, i.e., the sun came up in the west, but everything else was… --- ## [Album art on my car stereo--the option exists, but it never works](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-art-on-my-car-stereo-the-option-exists-but-it-never-works/1009204)
**Author:** [@batsto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/batsto)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2024, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-art-on-my-car-stereo-the-option-exists-but-it-never-works/1009204 "2024-11-07T17:02:03Z")
I’ve got a 2017 Toyota Camry, and while looking through the various options in the stereo, I see there’s one for ‘album art’. But I’ve got it turned on, and it doesn’t seem to ever work when I play music from my phone. … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=65) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=67)