# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=972 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 973 --- ## [Is there any way to see here on Firefox what you see on e,g, Android?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-see-here-on-firefox-what-you-see-on-e-g-android/742540)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-see-here-on-firefox-what-you-see-on-e-g-android/742540 "2016-01-11T20:55:51Z")
I rather suspect this is silly but Is there any way to see here on Firefox what you see on e,g, Android? For example if I enter Unicode decimal 128077 :+1: what do you see? --- ## [Does cooking affect the calories in food?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cooking-affect-the-calories-in-food/528542)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cooking-affect-the-calories-in-food/528542 "2016-01-11T20:20:57Z")
Aside from large-scale physical changes (e.g., fats burning off or remaining in a pan), do the total calories in a food’s ingredients equal the total calories of the finished product? That is, if I add up the calories of… --- ## [Sketching planets' orbits](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sketching-planets-orbits/742513)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sketching-planets-orbits/742513 "2016-01-11T20:08:17Z")
So I decided to have students draw a scale model of the solar system, but there’s a problem. I just realized that the far distance and near approach of a planet is usually at opposite sides of the orbit. If I have the pe… --- ## [Why is the asteroid 433-Eros so funny looking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-asteroid-433-eros-so-funny-looking/742818)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-asteroid-433-eros-so-funny-looking/742818 "2016-01-11T19:55:31Z")
See hed. Spinoff from a current thread on eccentric orbits. The thing looks like a deformed seed pod imitating a potato. Planets are spherical, more or less, because of gravitational agglutination, I’ve been told. So … --- ## [What would happen if a large number of people defaulted on their student loan debt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-large-number-of-people-defaulted-on-their-student-loan-debt/742288)
**Author:** [@Oedipus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oedipus)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-a-large-number-of-people-defaulted-on-their-student-loan-debt/742288 "2016-01-11T19:10:42Z")
If I’m correct, I believe that much of the loans are through the government and not through independent financial institutions so it’s got me thinking…back in 2007 everything tanked because these loans were all through p… --- ## [Could Obama legalize recreational marijuana use via Executive Order?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-obama-legalize-recreational-marijuana-use-via-executive-order/742564)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-obama-legalize-recreational-marijuana-use-via-executive-order/742564 "2016-01-11T19:09:50Z")
Well? --- ## [Virginia GOP Loyalty Pledge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518)
**Author:** [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518 "2016-01-11T17:56:35Z")
According to this story and others, there is a “loyaty pledge” that voters have to sign to vote in the GOP primary in Virginia. What is the point of this pledge? --- ## [Ad-Block Wars: How do the countermeasures work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ad-block-wars-how-do-the-countermeasures-work/742651)
**Author:** [@andrea\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrea_green)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ad-block-wars-how-do-the-countermeasures-work/742651 "2016-01-11T16:23:31Z")
As some of you may know, Forbes.com recently took the unusual step of completely disallowing access to their content to anyone running an ad-blocker (apparently people who visit Forbes without an adblocker will be served… --- ## [What is the Ingredient in Super-Sour Candies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ingredient-in-super-sour-candies/592004)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2011, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ingredient-in-super-sour-candies/592004 "2011-08-10T16:16:00Z")
You know that hardcore sour powder they put in/on candies like Warheads and Sour Patch Kids? What’s it called? --- ## [How Do State Taxes Worth on Multi-State Lotteries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-state-taxes-worth-on-multi-state-lotteries/742724)
**Author:** [@Carryon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carryon)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-state-taxes-worth-on-multi-state-lotteries/742724 "2016-01-11T10:55:02Z")
Just wondering, I know you pay federal tax on lottery winnings in the USA, but what about state tax? Some states have no tax, and states have different tax rates. So if you live in say Texas, a state without income tax … --- ## [odd plumbing noise](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-plumbing-noise/742791)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-plumbing-noise/742791 "2016-01-11T06:33:13Z")
Sometimes when we are running two faucets/etc at once, the pipe into the house starts making a noise very much like a train (chugchugchug). Then the water will come in spurts. Any idea? --- ## [why don't the primaries get brigaded by opposite party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-primaries-get-brigaded-by-opposite-party/742557)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-primaries-get-brigaded-by-opposite-party/742557 "2016-01-11T05:42:51Z")
One thing I don’t understand about the US political system\*. In a lot of states you can register and vote in both primaries (maybe all states I don’t know). What stops Democrats from voting for the least likely to win … --- ## [Network Gurus: Please Explain This Strange MoCA/WiFi Issue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-gurus-please-explain-this-strange-moca-wifi-issue/742683)
**Author:** [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-gurus-please-explain-this-strange-moca-wifi-issue/742683 "2016-01-11T05:28:46Z")
So, a bit of background. For years I’ve been running a MoCA setup (Actiontec boxes) on my network due to a home office. No problems. Now, I just upgraded my cable modem to the Arris TG1682G modem, with built-in router, w… --- ## [Capsaicin in contact lenses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capsaicin-in-contact-lenses/678293)
**Author:** [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capsaicin-in-contact-lenses/678293 "2016-01-11T03:26:04Z")
I was making a delicious batch of tamales with jalapenos and cheese as per my usual Christmas festivities. I didn’t have access to any gloves and hours later put some contact lenses in which of course burned the hell out… --- ## [van seat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-seat/742570)
**Author:** [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-seat/742570 "2016-01-11T02:36:04Z")
This is kind of a silly question but I cannot find an answer. Background - we bought a 2016 Ram Promaster 1500 last month. The only ones they had on the lot have what they call a dual passenger seat, kind of a bench se… --- ## [Commercial jets fly at the tropospheric level. True or false?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercial-jets-fly-at-the-tropospheric-level-true-or-false/742686)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercial-jets-fly-at-the-tropospheric-level-true-or-false/742686 "2016-01-11T01:13:30Z")
Hi Various websites give various answers to this question. I would like to resolve it once and for all. Do commercial jets fly at the tropospheric level?. Do pilots prefer to fly at the stratospheric level? I look for… --- ## [Frozen soap](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-soap/742653)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-soap/742653 "2016-01-11T00:57:32Z")
So one of my employees left a pallet of laundry, dish, and hand soap in the truck last night. Brutally cold, and the entire pallet froze hard as a rock. How screwed am I? Will the soap be fine once it thaws? --- ## [Does my computer communicate with the ATT router box in my garage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-my-computer-communicate-with-the-att-router-box-in-my-garage/742732)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2016, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-my-computer-communicate-with-the-att-router-box-in-my-garage/742732 "2016-01-10T22:49:26Z")
Does my computer communicate with the ATT router box in my garage? We had an Intel Stick an old Gateway and an old HP. The ATT download tests were terrible. We removed the Intel Stick and the dwnload tests are coinciden… --- ## [Putting British pub names in quotation marks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-british-pub-names-in-quotation-marks/742671)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2016, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-british-pub-names-in-quotation-marks/742671 "2016-01-10T22:22:29Z")
I have a 1974 American reprint of Arthur C. Clarke’s 1957 short story collection Tales from the “White Hart.” On every reference, in title as well as text, the name of the pub is in quotation marks. The Wiki article la… --- ## [Artifical tanning cremes with SPF.....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artifical-tanning-cremes-with-spf/742670)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2016, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artifical-tanning-cremes-with-spf/742670 "2016-01-10T21:09:14Z")
Given that I’m a whitey (and OH SO WHITE) and it’s summer here in the southern hemisphere, I bought myself a thingy of tanning creme…that has a SPF of 15. Now I only apply it every few days (just enough to take the whit… --- ## [What can you do if a car alarm is going off and the owner isn't around? (need answer fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-if-a-car-alarm-is-going-off-and-the-owner-isnt-around-need-answer-fast/506381)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2016, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-if-a-car-alarm-is-going-off-and-the-owner-isnt-around-need-answer-fast/506381 "2016-01-10T20:49:11Z")
There’s a car alarm going off outside in my apartment’s parking lot. So far it’s been going off for about fifteen minutes. While the noise doesn’t bother me, it does raise an interesting question: What happens if a car … --- ## [Special Needs Trusts, Guardianship, and moving from one state to another](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-needs-trusts-guardianship-and-moving-from-one-state-to-another/742649)
**Author:** [@wellanuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wellanuff)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2016, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-needs-trusts-guardianship-and-moving-from-one-state-to-another/742649 "2016-01-10T20:37:15Z")
I have an adult son with special needs. I am his guardian, and we have a special needs trust set up for him. Getting all of that in place took (what is for me) a lot of money and time. I live in Illinois. I am under … --- ## [How is the "Ch" in "Chicago" pronounced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-ch-in-chicago-pronounced/742437)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2016, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-ch-in-chicago-pronounced/742437 "2016-01-10T19:37:25Z")
Over here in American pronuncation of "Bury" - Why did Pres. Obama pronounce it as "Burr-y"? - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board, the “marry, Mary, merry” vowel regional pronunciations is being hacked aroun… --- ## [centimeters / sonometers are both pronunciations still correct?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/centimeters-sonometers-are-both-pronunciations-still-correct/543668)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2016, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/centimeters-sonometers-are-both-pronunciations-still-correct/543668 "2016-01-10T18:18:11Z")
My mom was a RN Nurse for ten years and then a Nurse Anesthetist for 35 years. She always says sonometers instead of centimeters. Are new people in the medical field still taught to pronounce it that way? Is there any … --- ## [Medicinal use for ethyl alcohol](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicinal-use-for-ethyl-alcohol/742544)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2016, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicinal-use-for-ethyl-alcohol/742544 "2016-01-10T17:15:55Z")
My father says he drinks “medicinally”. The only medicinal use I know of for alcohol is to counteract antifreeze poisoning, which has never happened to him. Are there any other ways it is used as medicine? --- ## [Legal responsibility if accidentally hit an animal with your car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-responsibility-if-accidentally-hit-an-animal-with-your-car/742418)
**Author:** [@Bonaventure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonaventure)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2016, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-responsibility-if-accidentally-hit-an-animal-with-your-car/742418 "2016-01-10T17:01:56Z")
This has never happened to me, but it has been on my mind as squirrels often dart right in front of my car when I’m driving through my subdivision. What are my legal and moral responsibilities if I accidentally injure o… --- ## [A Comedy Bit on the "F" Word](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-comedy-bit-on-the-f-word/589796)
**Author:** [@Dan\_in\_Florida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dan_in_Florida)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2016, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-comedy-bit-on-the-f-word/589796 "2016-01-10T16:35:25Z")
My charming wife just showed me a delightful monolog about the word “fuck” on YouTube. When she first described it to me, I felt sure that it was one of the late George Carlin’s works of genius. But, after viewing it o… --- ## [The Volvo P1800 Station Wagon Rear Glass](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-volvo-p1800-station-wagon-rear-glass/742499)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-volvo-p1800-station-wagon-rear-glass/742499 "2016-01-10T16:23:15Z")
This car :http://www.ebay.com/itm/Volvo-Other-1800-ES-/381506378094?forcerrptr=true&hash=item58d38d596e:g:~KQAAOSw~bFWGC2c&item=381506378094 Always fascinated me. it had the rear window that was hinged directly to the … --- ## [longer bike cranks = more power AND speed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longer-bike-cranks-more-power-and-speed/742611)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2016, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longer-bike-cranks-more-power-and-speed/742611 "2016-01-10T15:06:11Z")
Forgive my ignorance and confusion. THis doesn’t sound right, nor can I figure out if it would work or not. If I increased the length of the pedal cranks, I expect I would be able to increase the torque and therefor po… --- ## [Question about muzzle velocity (pistol)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-muzzle-velocity-pistol/742580)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2016, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-muzzle-velocity-pistol/742580 "2016-01-10T12:30:43Z")
In this listing of the specifications of the Browning Hi-Power Mk I, immediately below the standard muzzle velocity entry (of 350 m/s) there is also another listing for velocity. It is abbreviated as: “V\[sub\]12.50\[/sub\]”… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=971) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=973)