# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=829 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 830 --- ## [Pronoun usage for transsexuals in gender based languages.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pronoun-usage-for-transsexuals-in-gender-based-languages/769090)
**Author:** [@jonpluc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonpluc)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2016, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pronoun-usage-for-transsexuals-in-gender-based-languages/769090 "2016-10-20T22:29:06Z")
In languages like Spanish when referring to masculine you use “o” at and of words and when referring to feminine you end words in “a”. Its a basic construct of the language. If you have a gender indeterminate individual,… --- ## [What is the strongest Adhesive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-strongest-adhesive/768758)
**Author:** [@HeXen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeXen)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2016, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-strongest-adhesive/768758 "2016-10-20T22:13:39Z")
I have this PC monitor that has no VESA option. I really need this thing to be wall mounted with no need to remove it and was considering using some kind of very strong adhesive to mount the panel (which is plastic) to a… --- ## [Is handcuffing by police a mandatory or optional procedure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-handcuffing-by-police-a-mandatory-or-optional-procedure/769148)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2016, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-handcuffing-by-police-a-mandatory-or-optional-procedure/769148 "2016-10-20T19:57:57Z")
Hi Is handcuffing by police a mandatory or optional procedure? Does it depend on the state you are in or who you are or perhaps the circumstances? I’m asking because this article makes clear is the first instance I hav… --- ## [Auto engine question: engine idling & running rough](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-engine-question-engine-idling-running-rough/763601)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2016, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-engine-question-engine-idling-running-rough/763601 "2016-10-20T19:53:27Z")
This has happened twice in the last few weeks, for a few hours in a day each time. The engine starts running and idling rough (Mercedes with straight-6) and if I have to stop in traffic ( as for a red light) I put the … --- ## [Check engine light and the gas cap](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-engine-light-and-the-gas-cap/769094)
**Author:** [@turner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/turner)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2016, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-engine-light-and-the-gas-cap/769094 "2016-10-20T19:35:28Z")
My daughter’s friend has a new Toyota SUV. The check engine light came on and she took it to the dealer. They told her that she didn’t tighten the gas cap enough. This really frustrated her because that’s one of the p… --- ## [How could a presidential candidate actually contest the election results?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-presidential-candidate-actually-contest-the-election-results/769160)
**Author:** [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2016, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-presidential-candidate-actually-contest-the-election-results/769160 "2016-10-20T17:53:01Z")
For anyone who may have been living on Mars for the past couple weeks, Donald Trump has indicated repeatedly that he may not accept the election results on November 8th should they not be in his favor. I’m not intereste… --- ## [Pluto vs Earth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pluto-vs-earth/768859)
**Author:** [@Potestas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potestas)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2016, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pluto-vs-earth/768859 "2016-10-20T14:22:56Z")
What would happen if the planet pluto slammed into earth and landed in the ocean? Would it cause tsunamis? What would it do to our environment? Could one plausibly go hopping around the planet if it landed in earth? --- ## [Is the Avenue de Flandres in Paris now a refugee slum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-avenue-de-flandres-in-paris-now-a-refugee-slum/769093)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2016, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-avenue-de-flandres-in-paris-now-a-refugee-slum/769093 "2016-10-20T14:22:02Z")
That’s the allegation of “Scenes From The Apocalypse”, a short video purporting to show the results of uncontrolled illegal mass immigration: Of course anyone can put anything on the Web, however false or misleadin… --- ## [Edmund Scientific "swinging sticks"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edmund-scientific-swinging-sticks/559304)
**Author:** [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2016, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edmund-scientific-swinging-sticks/559304 "2016-10-20T13:22:04Z")
If I could set one of these units into motion in the vacuum of outer space would it be a case of true perpetual motion? --- ## [Why is 3G slow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-3g-slow/768922)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2016, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-3g-slow/768922 "2016-10-20T10:54:29Z")
I remember if you had 3G you had ‘it made in the shade’. Now I am talking Verizon’s lovely network here, but would like to know other’s experience. Once LTE came about it seems like 3G does not work like it use to. Di… --- ## [Why doesn't gmail accurately determine the number of e-mails during a search?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-gmail-accurately-determine-the-number-of-e-mails-during-a-search/768951)
**Author:** [@iceiso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iceiso)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2016, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-gmail-accurately-determine-the-number-of-e-mails-during-a-search/768951 "2016-10-20T09:47:12Z")
I’m cleaning out my gmail account. I start by doing a keyword search of senders I know send a lot of e-mails. My settings show 100 e-mails per page. For example, I’ll search for the name of my bank. On the first page, … --- ## [In cases of extra limbs or duplicated facial features - always an absorbed twin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-cases-of-extra-limbs-or-duplicated-facial-features-always-an-absorbed-twin/769091)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2016, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-cases-of-extra-limbs-or-duplicated-facial-features-always-an-absorbed-twin/769091 "2016-10-20T09:01:37Z")
When a baby vertebrate is born and they either have extra arms and/or legs, or there’s duplication of facial features (sometimes a whole face) is this 100% due to absorbing a twin in the womb, or is there any possibility… --- ## [What's so special about a .38 Special?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-a-38-special/768579)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2016, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-a-38-special/768579 "2016-10-20T02:06:33Z")
Here’s the Wiki. So, why ‘Special’? --- ## [How Do You Turn an AC Induction Motor Into a Generator?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-turn-an-ac-induction-motor-into-a-generator/769088)
**Author:** [@SHARKBITEATTACK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SHARKBITEATTACK)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2016, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-turn-an-ac-induction-motor-into-a-generator/769088 "2016-10-20T01:20:57Z")
I’ve always heard that you have to spin it faster than the speed it wants to turn as a motor… What if I just wanted to couple a 3 phase induction motor to a gasoline engine to make electricity? What would it take to get… --- ## [Inertia and Perpetual Motion.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inertia-and-perpetual-motion/769020)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2016, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inertia-and-perpetual-motion/769020 "2016-10-20T01:19:43Z")
Objects at rest tend to stay at rest. Objects in motion tend to stay in motion. Every high school physics class teaches you those two rules. That is why the earth will continue revolving around the Sun basically foreve… --- ## [How to improve kickstand physics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-improve-kickstand-physics/768845)
**Author:** [@Johnegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnegee)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2016, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-improve-kickstand-physics/768845 "2016-10-20T00:37:09Z")
October 17, 2016 My question is about the physics of how a kickstand works and how to make mine better. Three months ago I acquired a 1988 Honda GoldWing, which is among the heaviest of motorcycles. The kickstand is d… --- ## ["Elementium" and its oxide "Elementia" - whence this pattern?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elementium-and-its-oxide-elementia-whence-this-pattern/745240)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2016, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elementium-and-its-oxide-elementia-whence-this-pattern/745240 "2016-10-19T23:52:55Z")
Many metallic elements and their oxides are named in pairs where the metal itself ends in “um” but that’s replaced by “a” for the oxide. For example, there are aluminum and alumina, titanium and titania, or hafnium and h… --- ## [Any recommended software for creating a Win7 system image?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommended-software-for-creating-a-win7-system-image/768974)
**Author:** [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2016, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommended-software-for-creating-a-win7-system-image/768974 "2016-10-19T23:28:21Z")
The bundled software I picked up with my backup drive doesn’t help create system images and the option to do so through Windows 7 isn’t working (it gets so far and stops every time, despite trying several solutions found… --- ## [What exactly are these interest rates everyone's always talking about?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-are-these-interest-rates-everyones-always-talking-about/768797)
**Author:** [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2016, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-are-these-interest-rates-everyones-always-talking-about/768797 "2016-10-19T21:41:10Z")
There’s currently a thread on Donald Trump’s claim that the Federal Reserve Bank is artificially keeping interest rates low. Reading through it reminded me that I don’t really understand what the Federal Reserve Bank is… --- ## [Numbers very slightly less than 1, and their representation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/numbers-very-slightly-less-than-1-and-their-representation/769024)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2016, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/numbers-very-slightly-less-than-1-and-their-representation/769024 "2016-10-19T19:14:41Z")
I’m interested in numbers that are extremely close to, but less than, 1. Especially, what are the practical considerations in doing numerical (as opposed to symbolic) calculations with them, and in representing them? I’… --- ## [gravity \[Why is the center of the Earth hot?\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravity-why-is-the-center-of-the-earth-hot/769033)
**Author:** [@Vicsage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vicsage)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2016, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravity-why-is-the-center-of-the-earth-hot/769033 "2016-10-19T18:43:00Z")
From what I understand, the center of the Earth is hot because of the intense pressure. This pressure is a result of gravity trying to crush the stuff in the center. Since gravity is eternal and constant, will the cent… --- ## [Vietnam war: Why weren't conscripts drafted into the Navy or the Air Force?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-war-why-werent-conscripts-drafted-into-the-navy-or-the-air-force/698464)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2016, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-war-why-werent-conscripts-drafted-into-the-navy-or-the-air-force/698464 "2016-10-19T18:32:10Z")
The book of knowledge reports: Why didn’t the US Navy and the US Air Force take (or maybe rather: were forced to take) conscripts during the Vietnam Era? Draftees only served in the Army and the Marine Corps. Was that … --- ## [Help untangling issue with Contacts in Outlook 2016](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-untangling-issue-with-contacts-in-outlook-2016/769045)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2016, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-untangling-issue-with-contacts-in-outlook-2016/769045 "2016-10-19T18:04:57Z")
How do I create and populate a Contacts folder in my main account, when one does not exist? I have multiple accounts in Outlook. My primary account is a personal POP account. At one time it had a Contacts list. I did so… --- ## [Another Probability Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-probability-question/768936)
**Author:** [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2016, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-probability-question/768936 "2016-10-19T16:45:03Z")
Take a regular 5-day work week. You are told months in advance that you’ll get two days off on a specific week. You don’t know which days it will be. You DO know that the days will follow each other. So it could be Mon… --- ## [How close to libel and slander is Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-to-libel-and-slander-is-trump/768805)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2016, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-to-libel-and-slander-is-trump/768805 "2016-10-19T16:39:43Z")
Note: Although controversial to some, this thread is intended to answer the factual question asked and is not meant to push political opinion or adgendas. It is not meant to be related to the election in general. So plea… --- ## [eyeglasses: why prescription?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eyeglasses-why-prescription/768955)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2016, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eyeglasses-why-prescription/768955 "2016-10-19T16:28:51Z")
I just picked up a pair of reading glasses; this marks the first time in many years that I’ve been able to clearly identify pixels on the screen. :slight\_smile: It was pretty easy to get these: I just walked into a dru… --- ## [Why does soap turn my dog's poop green? What made him throw-up before? (A mystery)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-soap-turn-my-dogs-poop-green-what-made-him-throw-up-before-a-mystery/768970)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2016, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-soap-turn-my-dogs-poop-green-what-made-him-throw-up-before-a-mystery/768970 "2016-10-19T13:43:24Z")
See query. I was told it was causative, not merely correlative, when someone heard only the part about him eating the soap. But please note the narrative: 6-month old puppy Yofi eats dose of my Atorvastatin (anti-chol… --- ## [Question about 1+2+4+8+... adding to -1](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-1-2-4-8-adding-to-1/768941)
**Author:** [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2016, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-1-2-4-8-adding-to-1/768941 "2016-10-19T13:15:08Z")
I recently read a proof that 1+2+4+8+16+… adds to -1. Relax! I’m not arguing it - I understood the proof overall and get the concept. My only question has to do with a step in the proof. Here’s how it went: Let’s ca… --- ## [When you regurgitate a chunk of food hours after a meal where has it been hanging out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-regurgitate-a-chunk-of-food-hours-after-a-meal-where-has-it-been-hanging-out/768914)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2016, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-regurgitate-a-chunk-of-food-hours-after-a-meal-where-has-it-been-hanging-out/768914 "2016-10-19T13:14:23Z")
When you eat something solid, especially if you ate a lot and ate quickly, sometimes hours later you will feel something at the top of your throat, and by coughing can regurgitate a small piece of whatever it is you ate … --- ## [Asbestos "Ubiquitous"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asbestos-ubiquitous/768945)
**Author:** [@WannaBeGoodAtGuitar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WannaBeGoodAtGuitar)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2016, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asbestos-ubiquitous/768945 "2016-10-19T09:34:12Z")
I was researching the health risks of this substance, as my garage roof has a covering of deteriorating corrugated asbestos cement panels when I came across an article from the British Drinking Water Inspectorate. It su… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=828) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=830)