# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=933 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 934 --- ## [Who pays for property damage done by police?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-pays-for-property-damage-done-by-police/749401)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2016, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-pays-for-property-damage-done-by-police/749401 "2016-03-19T19:31:46Z")
Who pays for the collateral property damege done by police that occurs on private property? Say a cop is on a foot chase with an armed suspect, suspect runs into my home and locks the door behind him, cop kicks in the d… --- ## [Relativity mass question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relativity-mass-question/749221)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2016, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relativity-mass-question/749221 "2016-03-19T19:16:45Z")
Disclosure: I don’t know much about physics and this may well be a very stupid question. I heard, once again, that the faster an object goes the more mass it attains. Reaching the speed of light an object would obtain i… --- ## [Serial Killer Scenario](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killer-scenario/749386)
**Author:** [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killer-scenario/749386 "2016-03-19T18:17:19Z")
I was wondering – has a serial killer ever has his career (or life) ended by having his last victim outwit or overpower him? --- ## [Are TOEFL tests done online now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-toefl-tests-done-online-now/749388)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2016, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-toefl-tests-done-online-now/749388 "2016-03-19T16:10:51Z")
Hi Are TOEFL tests done online now?I know GMAT tests are. I look forward to your feedback. --- ## [Do American states have the most iconic shapes of any national subdivisions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-states-have-the-most-iconic-shapes-of-any-national-subdivisions/729845)
**Author:** [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2016, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-states-have-the-most-iconic-shapes-of-any-national-subdivisions/729845 "2016-03-19T15:58:40Z")
I love the way American states are shaped. Each one is unique, has character, and can be readily identified from silhouette – Texas, for example, is immediately distinguishable from Montana, or Virginia, or any other st… --- ## [Question about Food Allergies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-food-allergies/749536)
**Author:** [@ChrisCash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisCash)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-food-allergies/749536 "2016-03-19T15:51:28Z")
What is the likelihood for a person who has no known food allergies to spontaneously develop them as an adult? --- ## [Epson Episode: "Scanner is warming up. Please wait." Forever.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epson-episode-scanner-is-warming-up-please-wait-forever/396793)
**Author:** [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2016, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epson-episode-scanner-is-warming-up-please-wait-forever/396793 "2016-03-19T15:21:52Z")
Scanner: Epson Perfection 3490. Computer: Mac PowerBook G4. OS: 10.3.9. Driver: v3.03a, latest available from their website. This scanner delivered some truly high-quality images until I went out of town and let it si… --- ## [Replacing a 5.7 engine with a 6.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-a-5-7-engine-with-a-6-0/749403)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2016, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-a-5-7-engine-with-a-6-0/749403 "2016-03-19T14:41:15Z")
As I referred to in another thread, I will be replacing the engine in my 1999 Denali this summer. In 2001, the Denali engine was upgraded to a 6.0L with more 25% more horsepower than the 5.7L. So my question is how har… --- ## [Why do hotels put chocolates on your pillow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-put-chocolates-on-your-pillow/749324)
**Author:** [@core](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/core)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2016, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-put-chocolates-on-your-pillow/749324 "2016-03-19T14:14:19Z")
I enjoyed Cecil’s column on bibles in hotel rooms, but I have not heard an explanation for the chocolates. When did this get started, and why? It seems like a strange practice to me. If they want guests to have some c… --- ## [Is copy/past the easiest way to move a URL fom Firefox to edge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-copy-past-the-easiest-way-to-move-a-url-fom-firefox-to-edge/748982)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2016, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-copy-past-the-easiest-way-to-move-a-url-fom-firefox-to-edge/748982 "2016-03-19T14:11:31Z")
I’m embarrassed to ask but Is copy/paste the easiest way to move a URL from Firefox to Edge? One can set up such that it will just go into history automatically. A search in Google, or almost anyplace like translate, c… --- ## [Convert PowerPoint to format playable on a DVD player? (need answer fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convert-powerpoint-to-format-playable-on-a-dvd-player-need-answer-fast/679978)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2014, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convert-powerpoint-to-format-playable-on-a-dvd-player-need-answer-fast/679978 "2014-06-10T14:49:29Z")
Using Windows 7 I have a slide show I’ve created in PowerPoint 2013 that I want to burn to a DVD so we can run it on a DVD player/TV combo during an open house tomorrow.\* We don’t particularly want to run it on a laptop… --- ## [Dogs, winter coats, and seasons.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-winter-coats-and-seasons/749423)
**Author:** [@zwede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwede)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2016, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-winter-coats-and-seasons/749423 "2016-03-19T08:02:15Z")
Just something that has had me wondering for a while. I have a dog that is currently sporting a pretty serious winter coat. Even though temperatures are mild/warm here in Texas this time of year she hasn’t started sheddi… --- ## [DIY Question - How to repair this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-question-how-to-repair-this/748389)
**Author:** [@teddybound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teddybound)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2016, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-question-how-to-repair-this/748389 "2016-03-19T08:01:03Z")
I am not even sure how to describe this thing - but this is a grip or holder for my glass tray in the toilet. I think previously it was held by glue, but it has gotten loose and the tray slips off. I stuffed a cardboard… --- ## [I just did something stupid (posted fiction about terrorism)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-did-something-stupid-posted-fiction-about-terrorism/749016)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2016, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-did-something-stupid-posted-fiction-about-terrorism/749016 "2016-03-19T07:15:47Z")
I foolishly copy+pasted a story-plot summary of my military thriller novel-in-progress into Google Translate, wanting to make use of some Google Translate features. Then I realized this means Google now is tracking a \*l… --- ## [LDS Mission Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lds-mission-question/749143)
**Author:** [@majorlazer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/majorlazer)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2016, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lds-mission-question/749143 "2016-03-19T00:53:04Z")
I am the first person to serve a mission for the LDS Church in my family and am very excited, but don’t really know how it works. I have been called to the Lima Peru East Mission and will report in late June. My stake p… --- ## [How to pay for a car](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pay-for-a-car/749316)
**Author:** [@iljitsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iljitsch)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2016, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pay-for-a-car/749316 "2016-03-18T22:34:28Z")
Suppose I want to buy a car. A new car is at least $10k, right? Suppose I have the money in the bank. But how do I actually pay for the car? I don’t want to walk around with that much cash, and the limit on my cards doe… --- ## [Energy carried by a gravitational wave](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-carried-by-a-gravitational-wave/745842)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2016, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-carried-by-a-gravitational-wave/745842 "2016-03-18T20:52:31Z")
In reading about the recent gravitational wave detection results, I came across a statement that the two merging black holes converted about three solar masses worth of… uh,mass… into gravitational waves at the time of t… --- ## [Identify this car from Three O'Clock High (1987)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-car-from-three-oclock-high-1987/749323)
**Author:** [@TheSundial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheSundial)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2016, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-car-from-three-oclock-high-1987/749323 "2016-03-18T20:43:08Z")
Partially shown vehicle except can it be identified? http://s19.postimg.org/4nd7voqsj/Three\_OClock\_High\_1987\_720p\_Blu\_Ray\_x264\_YIFY\_mp4.jpg http://s19.postimg.org/6gg4k0bz7/Three\_OClock\_High\_1987\_720p\_Blu\_Ray\_x264\_YIFY… --- ## [Microsoft Word search and replace formatting \_italics\_ question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-word-search-and-replace-formatting-_italics_-question/749392)
**Author:** [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2016, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-word-search-and-replace-formatting-_italics_-question/749392 "2016-03-18T17:32:59Z")
I’ve got an old, OLD document that I want to update. The problem is that it’s using that old formatting thing where it has this kind of formatting: italics or bold If there’s an easy way to turn italics into italics. … --- ## [Another Mass Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-mass-question/749263)
**Author:** [@UncleFred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleFred)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2016, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-mass-question/749263 "2016-03-18T17:12:17Z")
Going back to the famous E=MC^2 equation, “I was once told” (no cite) that every action involving energy meant some small conversion of energy to/from mass was going on. I took this to mean ; If I light a match, the lig… --- ## [spyglass vs binoculars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spyglass-vs-binoculars/527996)
**Author:** [@YPOD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YPOD)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2016, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spyglass-vs-binoculars/527996 "2016-03-18T17:03:13Z")
I was watching Pawn Stars and someone brought in a WWII spyglass - the single tube telescope. Does the military still use them? And what is the advantage of a spyglass vs binoculars, or vice versa? --- ## [Do trees 'clench'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-trees-clench/749395)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2016, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-trees-clench/749395 "2016-03-18T16:59:51Z")
We’ve had a couple of wind storms up here that had me looking nervously at the tall cedars out back. I’ve always thought that trees evolved to survive their conditions. Thus, tall trees are flexible because they wouldn… --- ## [Filling a U.S. Supreme Court vacancy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filling-a-u-s-supreme-court-vacancy/749251)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filling-a-u-s-supreme-court-vacancy/749251 "2016-03-18T14:36:45Z")
What the typical/average amount of time between a vacancy (death or retirement announcement) and the nomination by the President? What is the typical amount of time between nomination and approval (or rejection)? How m… --- ## [Relative size of Components of net weight gain and loss](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relative-size-of-components-of-net-weight-gain-and-loss/749370)
**Author:** [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2016, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relative-size-of-components-of-net-weight-gain-and-loss/749370 "2016-03-18T14:18:34Z")
(Weight/mass used interchangeably; assume gravity is constant) We obviously gain weight by eating, but we also have to gain a little mass when our lungs absorb oxygen. Similarly, we lose some mass by excretion and exha… --- ## [Can I use my iPad 2 or laptop on this wifi service in Japan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-my-ipad-2-or-laptop-on-this-wifi-service-in-japan/749372)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2016, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-my-ipad-2-or-laptop-on-this-wifi-service-in-japan/749372 "2016-03-18T14:15:30Z")
I’m likely going to be visiting Japan in a few months. I was pointed by family towards a Wifi service for visitors there. Its FAQ states: “This service can be used with wireless LAN-equipped devices meeting Wi-Fi (IEEE… --- ## [How transferrable are bedbugs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-transferrable-are-bedbugs/737215)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2016, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-transferrable-are-bedbugs/737215 "2016-03-18T12:39:54Z")
I just found out that a hotel that I was staying at last week had several reports on Tripadvisor of bedbugs at the same time that I was there, including in the rooms right next to mine. But I didn’t have any bites at al… --- ## [How do airlines get billed for jet fuel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-airlines-get-billed-for-jet-fuel/749186)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2016, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-airlines-get-billed-for-jet-fuel/749186 "2016-03-18T04:22:29Z")
If an airliner is at the gate, greedily sucking up $100,000’ worth of jet fuel for a cross-Pacific flight, does the airport keep tabs on the fuel and send the airline a bill? Is the airport the actual fuel seller here? --- ## [drinking and condensation / evaporation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-and-condensation-evaporation/749270)
**Author:** [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2016, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-and-condensation-evaporation/749270 "2016-03-18T04:09:40Z")
Spring is here in NC and it’s almost mint julep season. I’m writing for a better understanding of moisture in the atmosphere and how it relates to the enjoyment of chilly beverages. Often, while fellowshipping on the ve… --- ## [Bank / debit account with sub-limits that I can set?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bank-debit-account-with-sub-limits-that-i-can-set/749231)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2016, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bank-debit-account-with-sub-limits-that-i-can-set/749231 "2016-03-18T04:01:46Z")
Are there any banks or similar services that let you divide your balance into enforceable sub-accounts, with each sub-account limited to only certain merchants or categories? For example, I’d like to be able to tell the… --- ## [Can an Uber driver see the passenger's rating of the driver before rating the passenger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-uber-driver-see-the-passengers-rating-of-the-driver-before-rating-the-passenger/749035)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2016, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-uber-driver-see-the-passengers-rating-of-the-driver-before-rating-the-passenger/749035 "2016-03-18T00:45:49Z")
A friend of mine wants to give her recent uber driver the lowest possible rating, but is hesitant to do so because she fears he will, in retaliation, give her a low rating as well. Does the system Uber uses allow for th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=932) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=934)