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pprid
This may sound daft but, when Comets go though space they appear to have a tail, but space is a vacuum so what would be causing the tail is there is no resistance?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/pprid/this_may_sound_daft_but_when_comets_go_though/
{ "a_id": [ "c3r9ely", "c3rbs2r" ], "score": [ 37, 2 ], "text": [ "The sun. The tail of a comet doesn't indicate where it is going but rather where it is relative to the sun\n\nEdit: _URL_0_", "Indeed, for part of a comet's orbit (when it's moving away from the sun), its tail is actual...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://lifeng.lamost.org/courses/astrotoday/CHAISSON/AT314/IMAGES/AT14FG09.JPG" ], [] ]
6soq46
[Mores, Customs & Folkways] Do historians use literature to study areas that are well documented or is literature only used if there are no other sources?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6soq46/mores_customs_folkways_do_historians_use/
{ "a_id": [ "dlijsdb" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Hi, history is more interdisciplinary than the question seems to imply - but it's also a big question. \n\nCultural history may involve study of fictional literature; for example, a student could examine how Shakespeare's portrayal of the Plantag...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
2kdebe
if bathroom hygiene is so important why don't we get sick after performing oral sex?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2kdebe/eli5_if_bathroom_hygiene_is_so_important_why_dont/
{ "a_id": [ "clk79y9", "clk7c0q", "clk7d6l", "clk8948", "clk8r6s", "clk8ugd", "clk9dyt" ], "score": [ 24, 14, 3, 2, 2, 9, 7 ], "text": [ "It's more a matter of frequency. If you consider all the times in a day you touch a person (shake hands, etc.) o...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
8t6r2y
how did people get enough heat to smelt metals before the industrial age?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8t6r2y/eli5_how_did_people_get_enough_heat_to_smelt/
{ "a_id": [ "e156p62", "e156rsf" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Coal fire forges are able to reach temperatures of about 1900 degrees C which is more than enough to melt most ‘primitive’ metals such as iron, bronze, copper and steel. ", "They melt at much lower temperatures than you ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blast_furnace" ] ]
6ees71
How did scientists measure the radius of atoms and other stuffs?
They can seem to measure very accurate things at 10 decimal places. How do they do it?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/6ees71/how_did_scientists_measure_the_radius_of_atoms/
{ "a_id": [ "di9ym59", "dia4a1k" ], "score": [ 15, 3 ], "text": [ "The most accurate measurements are spectroscopic measurements, in which the energy between states of e.g. atoms is measured. These measurement happen typically with lasers, the frequencies of which can be very well controll...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1f4e1v
How is the infrastructure of the internet built?
I understand some basic concepts, such that there are servers that users request information from, or upload information to, but how is it all physically organized? Are there central hubs that everything goes through? How is a connection established between one computer another for that information to be exchanged? How...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1f4e1v/how_is_the_infrastructure_of_the_internet_built/
{ "a_id": [ "ca6qspn" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "The \"internet\" is simply a huge network. There are many subnetworks, and subnetworks of those networks, but it all is just a big web of connections. \n\nSome huge telecommunication companies own huge fiber optic cable trunks, and they have an a...
[]
[]
[ [ "google.com" ] ]
cqfp3k
why does english pop up everywhere? like in anime, and foreign music they just say a line in english and then just back to their respective languages.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cqfp3k/eli5_why_does_english_pop_up_everywhere_like_in/
{ "a_id": [ "ewvxcwb", "ewvxhkw", "ewvxi6z", "ewvxqdx", "ewxbbc9" ], "score": [ 12, 9, 2, 11, 3 ], "text": [ "Because it's currently seen as the lingua franca of the western world I'd reckon", "English is the world's most popular second language. Hundreds of mil...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
w08c8
Border Between Portugal and Spain
Why is the border between Portuagl and Spain where it is? I couldn't find any geographical reasons for it; there isn't a mountain range or a big river or anything along the border. Also, on a related note, why do the two countries speak different languages? I would have thought with a border so porous the people woul...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/w08c8/border_between_portugal_and_spain/
{ "a_id": [ "c594ycy", "c59a7rb" ], "score": [ 16, 6 ], "text": [ "Why specifically these borders and not somewhere else is a question that's beyond me, but Portugal, immediately after its Reconquista, was a County and vassal to the Kingdom of Galicia and later Leon. Afonso I of Portugal b...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
53e6b3
- why do people want ivory so bad and why is it illegal?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/53e6b3/eli5_why_do_people_want_ivory_so_bad_and_why_is/
{ "a_id": [ "d7sa2ig" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Before the advent of plastics, ivory was a very durable alternative to wood. It was considered a luxury good because of its relative scarcity. Most countries have made ivory trade illegal because harvesting it requires killing of endangered ele...
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[]
[ [] ]
3m94kc
what is the difference between a credit card reader and a chip-and-pin machine?
Somebody told me that credit card readers are really only used in the US and the rest of the world uses something called a chip-and-pin machine. What exactly is the difference?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3m94kc/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_a_credit_card/
{ "a_id": [ "cvd2dx2", "cvdc68r" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Chip and pin cards look [like this](_URL_0_), where you insert the chip into [the reader](_URL_1_), and are prompted to enter a PIN number (like an ATM) before you can make a purchase.\n\nTraditional credit card readers just...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://paymentdepot.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/chip-n-pin.jpg", "http://moneris.com/help/iwl255_webhelp/images/iwl255_insert_chip.jpg", "http://cdn.barcodesinc.com/images/models/lg/MagTek/sureswipe.jpg" ], [] ]
2ni637
Is there any hard data to suggest that an animal that has killed a human (like the bear on the front page) is actually likely to repeat this behavior?
I was just curious due to the comments in that thread. I know the standard practice is to eliminate animals known to have killed humans, but I am not sure if this is based on anything other than stories and beliefs handed down from a century or so ago. Thanks!
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2ni637/is_there_any_hard_data_to_suggest_that_an_animal/
{ "a_id": [ "cmeqbb0" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Yes there is. Especially if they develop a taste for human meat. Carnivores frequently will attack humans if they are sick, weak, or old. We are quite easy to eat. \n\nabout lions in the 1800's that preyed on Keyan construction Workers _URL_0_ "...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/man-eaters-of-tsavo-11614317/?no-ist" ] ]
1vw3dn
why is it that the majority of the police officers/military in corrupt states defend the corrupted governments?
I read a comment earlier that hit me pretty hard. It said something along the lines of: "...as soon as these policemen get off their shift, they are just as oppressed as the rest of the citizens in that state." So why do they stand for it, then? Why do they defend the corruptness and try to silence the victims of t...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1vw3dn/eli5_why_is_it_that_the_majority_of_the_police/
{ "a_id": [ "cewc42p" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Cops aren't as oppressed as those they help oppressed. Cops break the law a lot more than your average citizen and their position lets them get away with it. As long as they keep those in power they get to keep their jobs and the perks that com...
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[]
[ [] ]
4h1ntl
What is the Western Han and Eastern Han in the context of the Han Dynasty?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4h1ntl/what_is_the_western_han_and_eastern_han_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "d2mrvxc" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "They are the same dynasty ruled by the same family. The reason why there is the Western Han and the Eastern Han is because in between the two, a man named Wang Mang usurped power from the Western Han emperor and established the Xin Dynasty. After...
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[]
[ [] ]
17ns24
When you rinse out a glass of red wine, why does the water turn gray?
Usually when I clean a glass of red wine in a white porcelain sink, there's a tiny bit of wine in the bottom of the glass. I add some tap water and swirl it around, and it appears like the liquid in the glass has turned a cool gray (and not, say, pink or light red, as one might expect). What causes this? Is it a chemi...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/17ns24/when_you_rinse_out_a_glass_of_red_wine_why_does/
{ "a_id": [ "c87b460" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Probably the pH change, which turns the anthocyanidins from their \"native\" reddish/purple color (at the low pH of the wine) to a blue color which, when diluted, looks a bit gray. This is also a decent technique for removing red wine stains: u...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.demochem.de/p26_anth-e.htm" ] ]
14e6kr
Why aren't we crushed by the weight of the air over our heads? And why don't we feel the weight of the air lifted off of us when we go into a car or building?
In a physics book I had, they solved to find the weight of the column of air above your head. I don't remember the exact value, but it was pretty damn heavy. Why aren't we crushed by this column? And when you go into a car or building, its the roof supporting the air now. Why don't we feel the weight being lifted?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/14e6kr/why_arent_we_crushed_by_the_weight_of_the_air/
{ "a_id": [ "c7cdrol", "c7cgzhv" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "[Atmospheric pressure](_URL_0_) is the measure of the amount of force the air exerts on you per area. So it _is_ already measuring the weight of air that exerts on some area. If your room is at one atm, it is pressurized. Th...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospheric_pressure" ], [] ]
3t5p53
why do some people who's parents are immigrants have an accent while others don't ?
I have some friends who's both parents are from other countries but not all of them have their parents native land's accent can you explain it ?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3t5p53/eli5_why_do_some_people_whos_parents_are/
{ "a_id": [ "cx39nxv" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Accents tend to come more from peers than parents. So someone who grew up in an area where all the friends and neighbors share the same accent, or perhaps went to a private or parochial school where that was the case, will more likely have a sim...
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[ [] ]
1feum5
When did winking become a thing?
Examples of histories earliest winks?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1feum5/when_did_winking_become_a_thing/
{ "a_id": [ "ca9xap3" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I can tell you the OED's first use of this definition of the word \"wink\" if that's useful at all.\n\n1541 Thomas Elyot's *Image of Gouernance* (Governance)\n\n\"Of a mayster sturdy and fierce, a lyttell wynke to his seruant is a fearefull comma...
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[ [] ]
3d2vj0
why do we use olive oil instead of frying oil when stirfrying vegetables?
Title.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3d2vj0/eli5_why_do_we_use_olive_oil_instead_of_frying/
{ "a_id": [ "ct1dh5k" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Properly stir-frying anything requires using really high temperatures.\n\nMost olive oil has a relatively low smoke point (the temperature at which it starts to break down & smoke). Stir-fry oils are generally things that handle temperatures b...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3mxjni
why european civilizations were so much more advanced in terms of everything compared to african and native american civilizations. and so when white ppl came to america they basically just took over with guns.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3mxjni/eli5_why_european_civilizations_were_so_much_more/
{ "a_id": [ "cvj0df1" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "_URL_1_\n\n_URL_0_\n\n_URL_5_\n\n_URL_2_\n\n_URL_3_\n\n_URL_4_" ] }
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1o2t90/eli5_considering_that_humanity_and_civilization/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/115q2q/eli5_why_africa_is_so_underdeveloped/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3523y5/eli5_why_did_anglosaxon_white_e...
arrggi
the united states is over $22 trillion in debt. what does that mean?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/arrggi/eli5_the_united_states_is_over_22_trillion_in/
{ "a_id": [ "egp768t", "egp7zce", "egp92gm" ], "score": [ 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Not a whole lot, actually. Somewhere between 70-80% of that debt is held by American citizens in the form of bonds, including savings bonds. Bonds are heavily used as a stable investment to protect your...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1sl6ow
what is the bubonic plague, and would it be as fatal today as it was in the middle ages?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1sl6ow/eli5what_is_the_bubonic_plague_and_would_it_be_as/
{ "a_id": [ "cdyonux", "cdypof9", "cdyqtxs", "cdyxrqs" ], "score": [ 34, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Bubonic plague is a specific kind of disease caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis. (Pneumonic and septicemic plague are the other kinds, less famous because they didn't destroy ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/1skdzu/confirmed_outbreak_of_bubonic_plague_in/" ], [], [] ]
8akuip
[Medicine] Improper alcohol detoxification can kill a person. How then can people rehabilitate alcoholics?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8akuip/medicine_improper_alcohol_detoxification_can_kill/
{ "a_id": [ "dx1jtwe", "dx2wix9" ], "score": [ 4, 2 ], "text": [ "have them (the addict) continue to consume alcohol as needed to avoid serious withdrawal symptoms.\n\nHowever, the amount consumed per day is decreased continually over a span of several days, so that their dependance on eth...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
wmfo2
What is a plausible scientific explanation for "glory clouds" in church services?
I read a NYT article about a runner that relied on his faith. He mentioned something about "glory clouds" during his church service. Being the skeptical citizen I am I was curious and googled it. I found a few youtube videos of the phenomenon occurring in their church (Bethel Church in Redding, CA). I googled around...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/wmfo2/what_is_a_plausible_scientific_explanation_for/
{ "a_id": [ "c5ekto4", "c5ekvfs" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "That's dust. Definitely dust, you can tell by the straight line it makes coming from the light. ", "Edit: Probably [This.](_URL_0_)\n\nIt is most likely due to the condensation of water from evaporated sweat and breath. ...
[]
[ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VqbVH6SNP4", "http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/14/business/conflict-potential-seen-in-genetic-counselors-paid-by-testing-companies.html" ]
[ [], [ "http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=9845ba46-7646-4938-a637-357f55afbb73&itemGUID=ac80bab5-c29a-4b58-a228-c1f6dadf4d5b&ccd=ISH002&utm_source=shopping.com&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=37718" ] ]
301iom
how do cough suppressants, decongestants and expectorants work together to help with a cold?
Most cold medicines have a combo of the 3, and to me it seems counterintuitive to take more than one at a time. For example, why take an expectorant if I'm taking a cough suppressant? Don't i need to cough to get that stuff out?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/301iom/eli5_how_do_cough_suppressants_decongestants_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cpoa9wg" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "None of the above help colds. They help the symptoms of a cold. Decongestants, fine. Cough suppressants and expectorants seem illogical if mixed but separately they might help the symptoms. \n\nMany of this type of symptomatic \"cure\" has ingre...
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[ [] ]
1orquy
What causes the varied distribution of resources across the Earth?
Currently there's debate over mass resources centralized in areas such as the DRC, with some of the sought after minerals being highly concentrated - like Coltan. Are the natural resources' locations a byproduct of random accumulation when the Earth was formed, or are other contributing factors the cause (i.e. meteor...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1orquy/what_causes_the_varied_distribution_of_resources/
{ "a_id": [ "ccuynri" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It's not a random process. Certain minerals only form under a set of very precise geological conditions. Much like how you need just the right ingredients to make a cake, you need just the right conditions to produce certain types of rock. These ...
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[]
[ [] ]
16ddlo
How did Italian-Americans react to the extremely racist Allied anti Axis propaganda films?
Just wondering, greatly thankful for any answers. God bless.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/16ddlo/how_did_italianamericans_react_to_the_extremely/
{ "a_id": [ "c7v15wm", "c7v2u03", "c7v5uv8" ], "score": [ 4, 8, 8 ], "text": [ "You're referring to American films? Or is that incorrect? If so, I apologize. \n\nTo answer the question to the best of my ability, most Italian-Americans realized by 1939 that Benito Mussolini wasn't a...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
2ogz05
The ratio of the distance between a planet and its star vs the ratio of the distance between an electron and its nucleus, are the two ratios similar?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2ogz05/the_ratio_of_the_distance_between_a_planet_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cmn1323" ], "score": [ 13 ], "text": [ "Compared to the radius of the sun, the Earth is 215 times farther away.\n\nCompared to the radius of a proton, the average position of the ground state hydrogen electron is 62,350 times farther away.\n\nNow, there are other planets and stars and...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
h6htd
Considering all dogs have 38 chromosomes, can a very small dog mate with(in some manner) and give birth to a very large dog's pups?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/h6htd/considering_all_dogs_have_38_chromosomes_can_a/
{ "a_id": [ "c1sye2q" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "A family member of mine breeds dogs so I've seen newborn puppies firsthand. There were two simultaneous litters of puppies; one from a toy poodle, and one litter from a standard poodle. What was amazing is that these newborns were practically the...
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[ [] ]
1jc7wr
why are vishnu and his avatars blue?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jc7wr/eli5_why_are_vishnu_and_his_avatars_blue/
{ "a_id": [ "cbd7xt2" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Blue is considered a divine/pure colour. \nI.e. connected to the sky / the sea" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1kvd7u
How long can a plant survive in space?
I was just re-watching Wall-E and there is this scene where Wall-E and Eve are flying around in space with their plant. It got me wondering, can a plant be exposed to space at all? And if so, for how long?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1kvd7u/how_long_can_a_plant_survive_in_space/
{ "a_id": [ "cbsz6t1" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Depends on the environment. Plants can grow in microgravity with an artificial atmosphere, but if you're just talking about throwing a naked plant into space, the extreme temperatures would start rupturing cells immediately (areas in the sun wou...
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[ [] ]
3riw90
Why were brass knuckles made of brass?
I imagine that steel or even iron would be cheaper and more effective, and less prone to damage or wear.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3riw90/why_were_brass_knuckles_made_of_brass/
{ "a_id": [ "cwoir0x" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "I can't speak to the historical aspect but from an industrial aspect brass is pretty inexpensive and is usually cast in a mold. Forged steel would be much more labor intensive. Cast iron would be subject to rusting. Brass is a good tradeoff of st...
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[ [] ]
b9wwcw
why did ants ( and other insects maybe idk) get an exoskeleton rather than a normal skeleton?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b9wwcw/eli5_why_did_ants_and_other_insects_maybe_idk_get/
{ "a_id": [ "ek7hjqf", "ek7ldsl" ], "score": [ 6, 3 ], "text": [ "Because a hard outer shell doubles as protection from predators, as well as anchor points for muscles.\n\nEndoskeletons evolved to provide otherwise soft-bodied animals leverage to generate more power in their appendages wit...
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[]
[ [], [ "https://static01.nyt.com/images/2014/03/04/science/trilobites-1393889944421/trilobites-1393889944421-videoLarge.jpg", "https://images.slideplayer.com/14/4427902/slides/slide_11.jpg", "https://i.pinimg.com/originals/02/19/83/021983b5aef75ae3287aa4384a9d1f1d.jpg", "https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/p...
2ye88c
do people who talk languages other than english think in those languages?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ye88c/eli5_do_people_who_talk_languages_other_than/
{ "a_id": [ "cp8otxn" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Do you think in English?\n\nSeriously, when you think of a dog running across a field, do you imagine those words \"a dog running across a field\"? Or do you imagine an actual dog running across an actual field?\n\nThe only times that we actually...
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[ [] ]
6sfpj2
How is corruption measured?
[deleted]
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/6sfpj2/how_is_corruption_measured/
{ "a_id": [ "dlcf61a", "dlck829" ], "score": [ 2, 57 ], "text": [ "Here's the sources for the Corruption Perception Index of 2016:\n\n_URL_0_", "Transparency International publishes what they call a \"Corruption Perception Index\" made up from polls. They ask people how often in the pa...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://files.transparency.org/content/download/2056/13236/file/CPI_2016_SourceDescriptionDocument_EN.pdf" ], [ "https://www.transparency.org/cpi2014/in_detail" ] ]
80u2q7
what happens to the food company when someone who is allergic to a secret ingredient consumes their food? will it be revealed? why has it not ever happened?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/80u2q7/eli5_what_happens_to_the_food_company_when/
{ "a_id": [ "duy7oxk", "duy9xlo" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "I think due to FDA regulations all ingredients must be listed, so the secrets are usually formulas and combinations. But the individual ingredients that people may be allergic to are listed. ", "there's a list of specifi...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
3j0cns
if it is illegal to melt down pennies, how is it legal to press them?
I started looking at my small collection of squashed coins, and it made me think.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3j0cns/eli5_if_it_is_illegal_to_melt_down_pennies_how_is/
{ "a_id": [ "cul7o2w" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "Are you talking about how it's legal for the US Mint to press them? Because they're authorized by law to do so.\n\nIf you're asking about those novelty machines that strech out a penny, it's because defacing the currency for non-fraudulent purpos...
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[ [] ]
3k85qd
why the american corn taste different from middle eastern corn or asian one?
When i came to usa i tried to taste the american corn from mijier, ( i never tried anything from supermarket so i wouldnt know) and it taste sweet and different. I didnt like it. To me it is not delicious. Ahs ever been like this forever? Or something changed in the middle? Or is it that i am just baised and used to my...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3k85qd/eli5_why_the_american_corn_taste_different_from/
{ "a_id": [ "cuvgswj", "cuviep9", "cuvkdqp" ], "score": [ 9, 7, 2 ], "text": [ "They differ in species, soil composition, environment, exposure to the sun. These all could effect the taste.", "There are many different variations of corn. In Korea (s), supermarkets usually have ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
7aguu2
what's the difference between tense, mood, and case?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7aguu2/eli5_whats_the_difference_between_tense_mood_and/
{ "a_id": [ "dp9vd8w" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Tense is the time of the action, past, future, happening right now. The tenses give a sense of when an action was completed, or if we expect the action to continue into the foreseeable future. It puts the verbs into a context of when. \n\nMood ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
b15c9b
if peanuts aren't actually nuts why do people with a nut allergy die from them?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b15c9b/eli5_if_peanuts_arent_actually_nuts_why_do_people/
{ "a_id": [ "eije5ir" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Because peanut allergies are different from nut allergies. I'm allergic to peanuts but not nuts. " ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
55hnmh
why does my cat retain the ability to bound at 30 mph and jump vertically 5ft if he sleeps all day?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/55hnmh/eli5why_does_my_cat_retain_the_ability_to_bound/
{ "a_id": [ "d8ao0tp", "d8aon56", "d8ap9mu", "d8apquh", "d8aq0m4" ], "score": [ 232, 55, 16, 2, 179 ], "text": [ "I assume your cat, like almost every cat, likes to jump up on things and tends to go bat-shit crazy in the middle of the night and run around like a man...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-cats-purr/" ], [], [ "http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/content/dam/kids/photos/animals/Mammals/A-G/gibbon-tan-18778051.jpg", "http://i.imgur.com/jz1kBTb.png", "http://www.tvagro.pl/data/catalogue/belgian-blue.jpg" ] ]
37tihf
why don't we just use two or more different antibiotics, with different ingredients to kill off 100% of bacteria
If they really do kill 99.9% of all bacteria and we use like 5 different kinds of antibiotics wouldn't the chances of them surviving and resisting all those antibiotics be very slim?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/37tihf/eli5_why_dont_we_just_use_two_or_more_different/
{ "a_id": [ "crppotg", "crppxmg", "crpq6lw", "crpq9b9" ], "score": [ 5, 6, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Well antibitoics don't all target the same things. But even if the did, it would be a terrible idea to try. Because if any of the bacteria live? They now have a resistance to all o...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://youtu.be/vAR47-g6tlA" ], [] ]
1ebayp
how do different sound waves of the same wavelengths carry a different timbre?
I understand how different wavelengths create different pitches and that different materials, densities etc. can create a different timbre. I just don't understand how two sound waves of the same length could carry them. Thanks.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ebayp/eli5_how_do_different_sound_waves_of_the_same/
{ "a_id": [ "c9yjm9x", "c9yqva6" ], "score": [ 3, 4 ], "text": [ "The shape of the wave affects its sound, or timbre.\n\nThere are some examples [here](_URL_0_). (I don't think the instrument names next to the waves are correct... but it gives you the right idea.)", "There is a big dif...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://library.thinkquest.org/5116/images/soundwave3.GIF" ], [ "https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC4QFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFourier_transform&ei=lJSSUa_RGIywqwGu84HgCw&usg=AFQjCNEltUQRoKWb8sb...
3ayhxa
Were torches used in medieval times as much as movies make us believe and what were they made out off?
and how functional were they?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3ayhxa/were_torches_used_in_medieval_times_as_much_as/
{ "a_id": [ "csh5xan" ], "score": [ 15 ], "text": [ "Were torches used as often as we see in movies?\n\nNo. Movies generally seem to show torches as the most common light source for medieval people, when in fact rushlights (reeds soaked in animal fat), tallow candles and simple oil lamps seem to h...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
900fcz
why do monotonous noises (like the sound of an alarm clock) begin to sound like it has two different pitches after hearing it for a while?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/900fcz/eli5_why_do_monotonous_noises_like_the_sound_of/
{ "a_id": [ "e2mt9ea" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "i think that it may be because of our natural tendency to turn repetitive sounds into melodies. So a repetitive sound gets given different pitches by our brains. Its called the speech to song illusion. " ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
8h9hve
how come many fish were able to survive the great k–pg extinction, but pretty much no sea reptiles (mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, etc) were able to?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8h9hve/eli5_how_come_many_fish_were_able_to_survive_the/
{ "a_id": [ "dyi28q1", "dyiov73" ], "score": [ 20, 4 ], "text": [ "It takes a LOT of food and a very balanced ecosystem to keep a giant alpha predator alive. If the food diminishes or the ecosystem shifts, alpha predators die out pretty easily.", "Another additional reason. Reptiles a...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2w5p7r
how do bank errors leaving customers with extra money happen?
I always see articles where people report to have massive amounts of money 'accidentally' deposited into their accounts. For example- [this article](_URL_0_). My grandmother last week also had an extra $1000 given to her in cash, which she had to return to the bank. My question it- how does this happen? I always as...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2w5p7r/eli5how_do_bank_errors_leaving_customers_with/
{ "a_id": [ "conu93l" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I have this saying: \"As long as humans are involved, there will be human error.\" \n \nSimple as that - someone at the bank done goofed. You are right - banks *do* have incredibly strict controls to prevent errors, but as long as human being...
[]
[ "http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-15129689" ]
[ [] ]
2nhgjt
Did European explorers/settlers encounter any Native American urban centers in the in modern-day USA and Canada?
I've picked up that the northern Native Americans such as the Pueblo Indians had urban centers, but I'm not sure what happened to them or if non-Native Americans ever encountered them. were they depopulated by disease before settlers got that far? If settlers did encounter urban centers, how did they fit them into thei...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2nhgjt/did_european_explorerssettlers_encounter_any/
{ "a_id": [ "cmdszy2" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ " > the Pueblo Indians had urban centers, but I'm not sure what happened to them\n\nMany are alive and well. Consider Acoma Pueblo and Taos Pueblo, both of which were founded around 1000 years ago and both currently home to between 4500 and 5000...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://i.imgur.com/LI2TFZN.jpg", "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/DeSoto_Map_HRoe_2008.jpg", "https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Etowah+Indian+Mounds+Historic+Site,+813+Indian+Mound+Rd+SE,+Cartersville,+GA+30120/'34.59958,-84.68021'/@34.3675481,-85.094075,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m11!4m10!1...
45gr6y
why does light/sound propogate as a wave? why not a straight line?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/45gr6y/eli5_why_does_lightsound_propogate_as_a_wave_why/
{ "a_id": [ "czxr5hs", "czxtwlu", "czy2uot" ], "score": [ 16, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "They both do propagate in a straight line just as a wave in the water does. A sound wave or water wave is a varying pressure, not space. And luckily google gave me the answer [from Reddit](_URL_0_) o...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2yn2o5/if_photons_travel_along_waves_with_varying/" ], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schr%C3%B6dinger%27s_cat", "http://imgur.com/QaAunvr", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwXQjRBLwsQ", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-slit_experiment"...
4kaii4
are there gradual forms of depression or is it purely binary?
Specifically, if somebody is generally pessimistic, does it imply that they may just have some very light form of depression, or is that just in the normal realm of human behavior. I'm not asking, though, if everyone that is pessimistic has depression.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4kaii4/eli5_are_there_gradual_forms_of_depression_or_is/
{ "a_id": [ "d3dfwcj" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "As someone who is very depressed, it's gradual. Never binary. You have good days, you have bad days." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
fa95vx
why is it that it's possible to shake a cup with a bunch of dice in it to the point that they can all stack on top of each other?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fa95vx/eli5_why_is_it_that_its_possible_to_shake_a_cup/
{ "a_id": [ "fiwq7rw" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "It's not just being shaken randomly. If you'll note, the predominant motion is a circular swinging. What they're doing is forcing the dice to the edge of the cup and getting them to swirl around. If done right, that forces the dice to assume a ve...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3eofhe
how come putin has the same power in russia now as a prime minister as he had as a president?
Why doesn't current president have the same political power that Putin had as a president?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3eofhe/eli5_how_come_putin_has_the_same_power_in_russia/
{ "a_id": [ "ctgugyt", "ctgv29g", "cthad9g" ], "score": [ 9, 6, 3 ], "text": [ "Vladimir Putin *is* the President of Russia. Has been since 2012. Before that he was Prime Minister. Before *that*, he was President. \n\nIt is fairly accepted that he was still running things when he w...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1lqbiu
What was the military organization, equipment, and tactics of Carthage like during the Punic Wars?
I've been playing Rome 2 as Carthage and was interested in seeing what the actual Carthaginian forces were and how they worked. I'm curious about the military organization, equipment, and tactics of Carthage during the Punic Wars, especially in comparison to Rome and other surrounding powers.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1lqbiu/what_was_the_military_organization_equipment_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cc1xaqg", "cc24bxa" ], "score": [ 15, 2 ], "text": [ "In large part, the Carthaginian armies during the first Punic War were largely composed of mercenary troops from a variety of different areas under the control of Carthage (think North Africa, Spain and southern Gaul). \n\n...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.scribd.com/doc/29391428/Armies-of-the-Macedonian-and-Punic-Wars-359-BC-to-146-BC" ], [] ]
o7nee
what are you supposed to do when an emergency vehicle passes you on the opposite side of the road?
If you aren't interfering with them is it ok to not slow down? I'm guessing it's just judgment based on the situation but I'm wondering if there is a specific rule or anything.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/o7nee/eli5_what_are_you_supposed_to_do_when_an/
{ "a_id": [ "c3f10rh", "c3f3nl7" ], "score": [ 14, 2 ], "text": [ "If there is a physical obstruction in the median (for example trees, bushes, dirt etc.) then you do not need to do anything but if it is just yellow lines or there is a big enough opening for them to cross onto your side o...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.moveoveramerica.com/" ] ]
9iywvj
what is a generator in electricity?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9iywvj/eli5_what_is_a_generator_in_electricity/
{ "a_id": [ "e6nh7xg", "e6nobvc" ], "score": [ 14, 3 ], "text": [ "It's like an *electron pump* that pushes electrons away from one end and toward the other end. This creates a *voltage* (electric pressure) which is then used to power the flow of electricity through wires and other things....
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
6jc1bw
why are media companies so obsessive about pirating movies or music online, when just a few years ago people would record movies off of tv or music from the radio and it wasn't a big deal?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6jc1bw/eli5_why_are_media_companies_so_obsessive_about/
{ "a_id": [ "djd4btc", "djd4pd2" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "They were making a big deal about it then, that's why they would put in warnings and videos about piracy, but they had to crackdown harder on internet privacy because the ease of it caused piracy numbers to skyrocket creatin...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3d0ls1
Were there any devout Christians among the Nazis who participated in the Holocaust? How did they come to terms with the things they had done? How did they justify their actions in front of the altar of God?
If possible, I'd like to hear about whether these Nazid repented (in a religious way) after the war. It's interesting to think that some Nazis were also supposedly followers of a religion that preaches love and peace. I don't understand.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3d0ls1/were_there_any_devout_christians_among_the_nazis/
{ "a_id": [ "ct0vijr" ], "score": [ 13 ], "text": [ "Not sure if this would be considered devout. Josef Tizo was a Catholic priest and also one of the leaders of the Slovaks Peoples Party a Clerical-Fascist party that was installed in power during WW2. It was also founded by another Catholic pri...
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[]
[ [] ]
42iokp
many american football players have brain diseases in their old age because they have so many concussions during their career. why don't rugby players, who don't wear helmets, have this problem?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/42iokp/eli5_many_american_football_players_have_brain/
{ "a_id": [ "czan4am", "czan6qa", "czar41t", "czaummg", "czavw9n", "czay28f", "czayuua", "czb0xgc" ], "score": [ 79, 7, 4, 28, 2, 20, 5, 5 ], "text": [ "Because American Football players wear helmets and protective armor, they regularly crash...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://vicis.com", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOCtUFwxsFU" ], [], [ "http://www.theguardian.com/sport/shortcuts/2013/jan/28/american-football-rugby-more-dangerous", "http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-20/rugby-is-having-an-nfl-moment-as-concussions-bring-...
6f60dj
When history says "Alexander founded a new city," what is being described here?
For example, did he literally choose the location for a brand-new settlement? Or did he just take an existing settlement and decided to make it more important by leaving a bunch of soldiers/officials there? In either case, how many people did he leave behind? Did this affect the fighting capabilities of his army? Did t...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6f60dj/when_history_says_alexander_founded_a_new_city/
{ "a_id": [ "difpl3a" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Hi, not discouraging responses here, but fyi there was a fairly lengthy thread on this topic last week that would be worth catching up on - see here\n\n* [In ancient times I've heard that historical figures \"built cities\" like Alexander did at ...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4665k4/how_did_alexander_the_great_build_alexandria/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1i7aqp/who_populated_the_cities_founded_by_alexander_the/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3bzn9c/how_were_cities_founded_by_travel...
1gtbbl
Do we have any idea what the relationship between Sumer/Mesopotamia and Egypt was?
I'm talking anything. * Wikipedia makes it sound like they overlapped in time, so I'm curious if there was any trade or idea exchange or contact or anything? * Mesopotamia is often called the "cradle of civilization", so do we know anything about how it spread from there to Egypt, or were they completely different dev...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1gtbbl/do_we_have_any_idea_what_the_relationship_between/
{ "a_id": [ "cannje5" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "According to [this website](_URL_0_) \"There is no mention of the Egyptians in the Sumerian archives, or vice-versa, and there is no direct evidence that they had a noticeable influence on one another, except for their propensity to build giant p...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://sumerianshakespeare.com/21101.html" ] ]
4w3km1
if i have an electrical circuit, run a current through it, and then suddenly interrupt the circuit, what happens to the electricity still within the circuit?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4w3km1/eli5_if_i_have_an_electrical_circuit_run_a/
{ "a_id": [ "d63onoq", "d63pbmy", "d63ruvo", "d63wefm", "d643888", "d6455eg" ], "score": [ 63, 4, 9, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Imagine a channel of water. On one end you pump in water, on the other end you suck water away. Imagine that you suddenly stop doing bo...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1kbb68
When did nations begin to regularly levy taxes?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1kbb68/when_did_nations_begin_to_regularly_levy_taxes/
{ "a_id": [ "cbn8uuu" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Can you winnow this question down more, whether geographically, temporally or both? It's quite broad, considering that taxation was introduced, disappeared, and reintroduced at varying times as well as varying regions throughout history.\n\nAre ...
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[]
[ [] ]
bf94sd
What are those curvy distortions in the air above a hot stove?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/bf94sd/what_are_those_curvy_distortions_in_the_air_above/
{ "a_id": [ "elcrhfn" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "The index of refraction (how much the speed of light changes through a medium) of a gas depends on its temperature. What you are seeing is light going through regions whose temperature is changing (and possibly also a changing composition, e.g. ...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://i2.wp.com/q8allinone.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Hair-Dryer-Heat-Schlieren-Optics.jpg" ] ]
3hjlns
what happens during an internet outage?
When broadband subscribers are left unable to connect to the internet, what is happening behind the scenes? How do ISPs deal with an outage and what is actually happening to infrastructure? How can a storm affect the possibility of an outage?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hjlns/eli5what_happens_during_an_internet_outage/
{ "a_id": [ "cu7zivi", "cu83178" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "There can be a million reasons ... The chain from you to the data center is: PC -- > LAN -- > Router/Modem -- > Landline/cable/fibre to some more central place (plus converters) -- > Another Router/Modem -- > fatter lin...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2537bd
Why do scientists currently refer to Dark Matter as matter? Isn't it possible that the evidence for Dark Matter may actually be an incomplete understanding of gravity or other forces?
I've read that Dark Matter, if it is a substance, does not react with anything except gravity. There has never been any direct evidence that any type of matter or particle is involved at all. That being the case, why do scientists think that there is a substance involved when there appears to be no evidence for it be...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2537bd/why_do_scientists_currently_refer_to_dark_matter/
{ "a_id": [ "chdi7h4", "chdice7", "chdnjgh" ], "score": [ 3, 8, 4 ], "text": [ "I've had this same question. Observations of galactic interactions, however, point strongly to a cloud of invisible matter that accompanies galaxies. This is famously evident in the bullet cluster, wher...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullet_Cluster" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modified_Newtonian_dynamics", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_lensing", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tensor-vector-scalar_gravity" ], [ "http://www.reddit.com/user/hikaruzero", "http://www...
3snuyq
What is an inertial frame of reference?
I am attempting to better understand Newtons laws of motion and currently stuck on the first law. I've watched videos and read several textbooks but cannot find a precise definition that I can understand.
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3snuyq/what_is_an_inertial_frame_of_reference/
{ "a_id": [ "cwzfe94" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It's a reference frame that's not accelerating. If you're just floating in space, you're in an inertial frame of reference. If you're on an accelerating spaceship, you're not, so you feel like there's something pulling you towards the engines whe...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
740tkn
Looking at maps of Yugoslavia, its clear that large parts of Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia had ethnic majorities from one of the other nations. Did this cause problems before the 90's? Were there any attempts to change the internal borders?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/740tkn/looking_at_maps_of_yugoslavia_its_clear_that/
{ "a_id": [ "dnvrfvw" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The only real evidence I can find of any internal attempts to change borders prior to the late 80s/ early 90s was the Nazi and Fascist Italy attempting to \"persuade\" Croatia to become independent, to push for more autonomy so to speak. \nWhen Y...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1ipyqt
Tesseract 4th dimension
Every time I see a visual model of a tesseract it looks like a cube inside another cube, attached by poles that extend from what looks like the centre of both cubes. My question is, why is the 4th axis directed from the centre outward? Is this an arbitrary choice to create a 4D model in 3-space, or does the mathematic...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1ipyqt/tesseract_4th_dimension/
{ "a_id": [ "cb6wekh", "cb6x2q8", "cb6y22l", "cb6yolm", "cb6ys57", "cb6yuyz", "cb6z4za", "cb6z5vl", "cb6zhxa", "cb6zqxv", "cb70jeb", "cb70r1d", "cb716r1", "cb71m6i", "cb71vdt", "cb726dh", "cb74sy6", "cb7c2vd" ], "score": [ 187, 49, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnURElCzGc0" ], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkxieS-6WuA" ], [], [], [], [ "http://www.math.union.edu/~dpvc/talks/2001-04-28.hrumc/GIF/Cube-Unfolded.gif", "https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTioZ21DK6K0VOmcI2oNnruTGmisdcFV...
bzamp4
why do instruments sound different if sound is just vibrating air?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bzamp4/eli5why_do_instruments_sound_different_if_sound/
{ "a_id": [ "eqr56us" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "It all has to do with what they call timbre.\n\nDifferent instruments may be capable of playing the same note or pitch, but they all do it differently. Not only is the pitch (or frequency of the note) being sounded, but also other frequencies ge...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
6m0ytn
there are people who claim that drinking beer gives them a "happy-go-lucky" drunk, but drinking whiskey or liquor makes them a "mean" drunk. what could cause this?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6m0ytn/eli5_there_are_people_who_claim_that_drinking/
{ "a_id": [ "djy2pr1", "djy2r8g" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It's mostly due to accelerated drunkenness. 1 shot of 80 proof liquor is roughly equivalent to 1 beer. So taking a shot is like drinking a whole beer in a matter of seconds. Even if you sip liquor, most people will end up dr...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5u88pe
If the population of rome was so large in its early history, why is there so little written down?
With regards to contemporary writings of the early republic, mainly.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5u88pe/if_the_population_of_rome_was_so_large_in_its/
{ "a_id": [ "ddsgecc" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Why are you equating size of settlement with presence of surviving written literature? The two are in no way correlated. We have a plethora of sources from democratic Athens, including tragedy, comedy, history, and philosophy, and that city was...
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[]
[ [] ]
2s9bxp
why isn't the data on a black box saved 'in the cloud'?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2s9bxp/eli5_why_isnt_the_data_on_a_black_box_saved_in/
{ "a_id": [ "cnndk13", "cnndksd", "cnnekww" ], "score": [ 11, 6, 3 ], "text": [ "Some of the newer devices can upload data, but it's a recent development that hasn't yet spread to every airline in every territory.\n\nIt's a lot of data to push, if you don't have a good connection. ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
4a183y
if there are over 7 billion people in the world & only a limited number of features on the face (eyes, nose, chin, etc.)that can determine how a person looks, why is it that almost everyone looks different?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4a183y/eli5if_there_are_over_7_billion_people_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "d0wjxrn", "d0wk65e", "d0wrddh" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "There may be a limited number of features on human face, but there is a near infinite number of tiny changes you can make to them. \n\nSubtle changes in size, shape, and position of each of the individu...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
1uixqj
when big movie producers send out movies to be reviewed by critics, shouldn't it be easy to catch who uploaded the dvdscr?
I hate to be a paranoid parrot, but what's stopping them from sending slightly different copies to different reviewers?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1uixqj/eli5_when_big_movie_producers_send_out_movies_to/
{ "a_id": [ "ceil6j1" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It's a decent idea.\n\nAmazon tried to do something simillar for their e-book sale, they thought of placing 1-2 random spelling mistakes in each one, to see who uploaded something at a torrent tracker. But eventually they abandoned the plan. \n\n...
[]
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[ [] ]
3qtynz
why are fruits that can be grown on the east coast so much more expensive to purchase than produce in california?
Some fruits like avocados make sense why it's cheaper in California but what about fruits like apples that can be grown closeby, thus not requiring much middle men for transportation and stuff which would increase the price
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3qtynz/eli5_why_are_fruits_that_can_be_grown_on_the_east/
{ "a_id": [ "cwia7g3", "cwic0xe", "cwihyen" ], "score": [ 3, 20, 2 ], "text": [ "Transport is basically cheap. You might add a nickel a pound to transport a truckload across the country.\n\nTransporting by ship might be a nickel a ton per thousand miles.", "/u/friend1949 expla...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
5wo9y2
why can't you compress a rar file with rar or zip?
Why can't you compress a RAR file,
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5wo9y2/eli5_why_cant_you_compress_a_rar_file_with_rar_or/
{ "a_id": [ "debkofi", "debksh3" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Compression is a technique for finding patterns in a file and writing it in a way that takes more space. For example instead of writing \"aaaaaaaa\" you may write 8*\"a\" which is much shorter. Or instead of writing \"abcdef...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
mnehc
Considering the universe is constantly expanding, what would happen if you suddenly stopped in place?
Considering the constant expansion of the universe, the movement of the sun around the galactic core, and the revolution of the earth around the sun, what would happen if you suddenly stopped in place? How far would you end up in empty space within the first second of stopping? or would you end up as a pancake on the e...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/mnehc/considering_the_universe_is_constantly_expanding/
{ "a_id": [ "c32b691", "c32b691" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Weird as it might sound, the expansion of the Universe doesn't actually mean that you're moving at all. It means that the distance we measure between two fixed points will grow with time. It's a statement about how we measur...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5xt81u
Why were so many Nazi war criminals released very early into their prison sentences?
[here](_URL_0_) is a list of them excerpts like the following are on almost all of the pages: > [After World War II, he was tried in the Doctors' Trial in Nuremberg, convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and was condemned to life imprisonment. His sentence was reduced to 15 years in 1951 and he was re...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5xt81u/why_were_so_many_nazi_war_criminals_released_very/
{ "a_id": [ "deldcox" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Not only were Nazi war criminals released relatively early into their sentences, but also Japanese war criminals. This largely took place in the mid-1950's, not only by the United States, but the majority of the Western Allies, who realised that ...
[]
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Nazi_war_criminals_released_early_from_prison", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margarete_Rabe", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Fischer_\\(medical_doctor\\)" ]
[ [] ]
127uc8
Sports in History
In your period of interest what was the most played/popular sport among the people? What were the rules? Equipment used? Frequency of games? Have at it!
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/127uc8/sports_in_history/
{ "a_id": [ "c6svpy2", "c6swutu", "c6swyik", "c6t0vzj", "c6t4mn1" ], "score": [ 2, 7, 12, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Goodness, where to begin...\n\nIn 1770s-1780s Canada, though not competitive, people loved \"carioling,\" a form of sled dragged by horses. Ice skating was a...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.gamesmuseum.uwaterloo.ca/VirtualExhibits/Brueghel/teetotum.html", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat_and_trap", "http://www.mastersgames.com/rules/rounders-rules.htm" ], [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/yzglf/why_isnt_soccer_the_most_popular_sport_in_the/", ...
38y3yx
Please steer me in the right direction about Civil wars in Republican Rome
How did civil wars cause the end of the republican rome? Sources i could visit? a general gist of what happened? I have a ten page paper to write and i really don't know anything about this topic
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/38y3yx/please_steer_me_in_the_right_direction_about/
{ "a_id": [ "cryrwuh" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Could you elaborate a bit?\n\n* What's the paper for?\n* Where have you searched for sources?\n* What have you found so far?\n* What do you know already? (You do know *something*.)\n\nAnything else you may think is relevant. " ] }
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[]
[ [] ]
313f15
how does diet coke cause cancer? was that just media hype for a while, or is there legitimacy behind it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/313f15/eli5_how_does_diet_coke_cause_cancer_was_that/
{ "a_id": [ "cpy3fl2", "cpy3hvd" ], "score": [ 27, 2 ], "text": [ "Diet Coke contains Aspartame, which is an artificial sweetener that many people believed for a long time helped contribute to cancer, specifically brain cancer.\n\nWhile there are people that will argue this is true and swe...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
fh3muh
clueless about economics. how will the dow dropping 1,400+ points today and a potential recesssion/etc affect everday working people like me? those who aren't wealthy.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fh3muh/eli5_clueless_about_economics_how_will_the_dow/
{ "a_id": [ "fk8l5e9", "fk8l8vy" ], "score": [ 2, 4 ], "text": [ "Jobs may begin to slow down due to worry or lack of funding. Because of this your employer may limit hours or lay people off.", "Immediately, it won't, outside of any 401k you may have. If the market rebounds within a mo...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
5yzjlo
The rule of India by East India Company is famously cited as a case of Corporation ruling an entire country. How did this work in practise? Did they separate their Commercial activities and Governance?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5yzjlo/the_rule_of_india_by_east_india_company_is/
{ "a_id": [ "deu5jgt", "deu8pl9" ], "score": [ 44, 26 ], "text": [ "Follow up question: what was the British people's opinion of this rule by the East Indian company? Did they have any anxieties about a company having so much power or was it mostly just accepted?", "Follow up question:...
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[ [], [] ]
1d51ia
Do worms have a home?
I often see worms try to cross pavement and other hard surfaces, especially when it rains. This leads to them getting stepped on, so I sometimes pick them up and throw them in the grass when I notice them. Am I screwing them over? Are they following some path (like ants do with pheromones, for example)?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1d51ia/do_worms_have_a_home/
{ "a_id": [ "c9n6eoy" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "They just kind of roam around eating tasty soil. No set place of residence other than the entire patch of soil they came off of" ] }
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[]
[ [] ]
25se4n
How much difference was there in the way different ancient Mediterranean people dressed and clothed themselves, before the dominance of the Roman Empire?
Specifically interested in the difference between the people of Carthage and of Rome, before the punic wars were over
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/25se4n/how_much_difference_was_there_in_the_way/
{ "a_id": [ "chkfipw" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Unfortunately I can't give you a very full answer at the moment as I am away from my computer for today, but I can write something more detailed tomorrow. Until then, I would recommend this website: _URL_0_\n\nAlong the side you can see there is...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www2.rgzm.de/transformation/home/FramesUK.cfm" ] ]
g74jp
What is the fastest you can move, taking into account relativity?
Moving from point A to point B, you could theoretically move at .9999c. But, if you do you'll have made it so that people at point B are old and grey when you get there. Moving just under the speed of light means that from your perspective you are moving as fast as possible, but from the perspective that makes a differ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/g74jp/what_is_the_fastest_you_can_move_taking_into/
{ "a_id": [ "c1ldult", "c1ldw79" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Massive objects can get asymptotically close to the speed of light given enough force.", "An observer at your destination (your \"appointment\" location) would probably have a hard time distinguishing you traveling at 99...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
20b4md
POW mail in WWII: were mail ships neutral or was mail routed through neutral countries/states, or...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/20b4md/pow_mail_in_wwii_were_mail_ships_neutral_or_was/
{ "a_id": [ "cg1lqok", "cg1npxf" ], "score": [ 39, 6 ], "text": [ "I believe this was answered in another thread, so to make a long story short, the [Red Cross did most of the leg work of delivering mail to prisoners of war](_URL_1_), at least in the European theater. Mail would be routed...
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[ [ "http://www.med-dept.com/powFood.php", "http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/red_cross_and_world_war_two.htm" ], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1pg80z/how_was_correspondence_handled_between_axis_and/" ] ]
3c9nat
what is this 'google dream code' thing i keep seeing every where and what is it used for?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3c9nat/eli5_what_is_this_google_dream_code_thing_i_keep/
{ "a_id": [ "cstjry5" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Think of your own brain, and imagine you are five (slaps knee), lying down on a field of grass looking up at all of the funny shaped clouds in the sky.\n\nYou notice one cloud looks like something, but you can't quite put your finger on it. You t...
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[ [ "https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPX0SCl7OzWilt9LnuQliattX4OUCj_8EP65_cTVnBmS1jnYgsGQAieQUc1VQWdgQ?key=aVBxWjhwSzg2RjJWLWRuVFBBZEN1d205bUdEMnhB", "https://github.com/google/deepdream", "http://googleresearch.blogspot.ch/2015/06/inceptionism-going-deeper-into-neural.html", "https://en.wikipedi...
1wmkg8
Why did elevated beds arise in some cultures while others use beds low to the ground?
For example the Western bed frame vs. a Japanese futon. I'm sure there are other examples, I just don't know of them.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1wmkg8/why_did_elevated_beds_arise_in_some_cultures/
{ "a_id": [ "cf3iptj", "cf3ji3j", "cf3k75a" ], "score": [ 100, 43, 36 ], "text": [ "**EDIT: /u/extesser is right, it's mostly dominated by heat conduction and not a temperature gradient. I'll leave the post untouched for the history books, since it sparked some interesting replies...
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[ [ "http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/daily_living/text/longhouse.htm" ], [], [] ]
sp8to
If a mosquito bites a person who is HIV positive, then bites me, will I become HIV positive?
If a mosquito bites a person who is HIV positive, then bites me, will I become HIV positive?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/sp8to/if_a_mosquito_bites_a_person_who_is_hiv_positive/
{ "a_id": [ "c4ft97g", "c4ft9nc" ], "score": [ 5, 7 ], "text": [ "Almost assuredly not.\n\n_URL_0_", "[This](_URL_0_) is a pretty good answer." ] }
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~insects/aids.htm" ], [ "http://www-rci.rutgers.edu/~insects/aids.htm" ] ]
6o0xcl
if california's housing market is already incredibly overpriced, why does it keep rising?
The median cost of a home in Cali is now more than twice the national average and homelessness is rising, how is demand still surging? Aren't they running out of middle-class homebuyers? Are they used as income properties or other form of investment? Please explain.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6o0xcl/eli5_if_californias_housing_market_is_already/
{ "a_id": [ "dkdosfd", "dkdoz20", "dkdse6c", "dkdslp8", "dkdt3h3" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 2, 18, 7 ], "text": [ "Because the economy is still very strong, particularly in the Bay Area, people keep moving there. Home prices will drop once people stop wanting to move to C...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://leopard.megaphone.fm/PPY3090271787.mp3" ] ]
7gmxo7
When a person loses their vision in one eye, is their loss of depth-perception permanent or does the brain find a way to adapt?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7gmxo7/when_a_person_loses_their_vision_in_one_eye_is/
{ "a_id": [ "dqk7zq9" ], "score": [ 26 ], "text": [ "There are many monocular cues to depth such as parallax, relative size, atmospheric perspective, etc. you can find a list [here](_URL_3_). Some of these are both relative cues (something is farther away than something else) and some are absolute...
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[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereoscope", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereopsis", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiggle_stereoscopy", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_perception", "https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7dm6yk/is_there_some_way_to_see_3d_films_if_you_only/" ...
1cry92
When / why did it become a custom to put your hand on your heart for patriotic moments (specifically US pledge of allegiance and national anthem)
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1cry92/when_why_did_it_become_a_custom_to_put_your_hand/
{ "a_id": [ "c9jekbc", "c9jl41x" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "The hand over one's heart is a civilian salute. It is for use by civilians (people who are not in a nation's armed forces) at moments that would be appropriate for a military salute.\n\nSome countries (the US, Italy, etc.) u...
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[ [], [ "http://forgottenhistoryblog.com/the-official-american-flag-salute-used-to-be-a-hitler-salute/" ] ]
9k69qk
I know why the inter-war Germany was called 'Weimar Republic', but who started using that term? And when? And did it have a positive/negative connotation?
I obviously know the history behind 'Weimar' (It being the place where the assembly met and the constitution was drafted) but when did the term became common in usage? I heard that Hitler popularized it late in its short existence? For me it is easy to imagine that a national assembly which had to relocate because of...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/9k69qk/i_know_why_the_interwar_germany_was_called_weimar/
{ "a_id": [ "e6wrewl" ], "score": [ 27 ], "text": [ "The name \"Weimar Republic\" was not really used much during the existence of the Republic. The Republic used \"Deutsches Reich\" as the official name, and \"Republik\" in various compounds, but Weimar was an informal title at best. Some Angloph...
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[]
[ [ "https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Weimarer+Republik&year_start=1800&year_end=2000&corpus=20&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CWeimarer%20Republik%3B%2Cc0", "https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Weimar+Republic&year_start=1800&year_end=2000&corp...
36w0xr
Who were the most influential figures in the Bolshevik Party who weren't executed during the purges? Why did Stalin spare them?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/36w0xr/who_were_the_most_influential_figures_in_the/
{ "a_id": [ "crhn68k" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "I think most influential is pretty subjective and the range of purges meant pretty much everyone who -was- overly influential and famous got purged. And the remainder of the Communist party in the aftermath of Stalin's purges was absolutely subo...
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vk0mt
French Colonies Gone Wrong
I am not an historian, but I have noticed (through discussion both IRL and here) that the former French colonies are significantly more screwed up than the other former colonies of major European powers. First, is this true or am I making it up, and second, why? What did the French do differently causing their coloni...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/vk0mt/french_colonies_gone_wrong/
{ "a_id": [ "c555sgm", "c556bnf", "c556t7i", "c557a50", "c557dei", "c5580i0", "c559b6v", "c559fa2", "c55al0u" ], "score": [ 32, 12, 4, 4, 15, 6, 7, 12, 4 ], "text": [ "It is hardly just France, The Belgian Congo and Portuguese Angola ...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
e7wo35
when two tvs in tvs same house are run through the same cable service, why does one seem to always lag behind the other?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/e7wo35/eli5_when_two_tvs_in_tvs_same_house_are_run/
{ "a_id": [ "fa6ot6y" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "A modern TV contains electronics which decode the digital HDMI signal and then turn it back into a picture and sound. Unfortunately these usually introduce a delay, and on some models it can be a notable fraction of a second, and it's not a stand...
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[ [] ]
ohc49
What actually is going on as electrons move through a circuit?
I'm trying to understand the physical details of current more thoroughly. Let's consider a simple example with a battery and a resistor. Electrons are "flowing" from - to +. But what does that mean? Are the excess electrons at the negative terminal leaving that terminal? If so, how do they propagate through the wire? ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/ohc49/what_actually_is_going_on_as_electrons_move/
{ "a_id": [ "c3ha3w3", "c3ho2gh" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The best way to think of it is that the electrons in a wire are moving because of the electric field in the wire. The electric field is established in the wire when you connect it to the battery terminals, and the speed at w...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
mqh35
why can't leaded engines use unleaded petrol?
I've asked this question for years, and I have gotten two different answers for it. One is that the lead lubricates the cylinder walls, and the other is that the lead reduces the temperature of the burn, allowing the engine to run cooler. Is either of these correct, or is there a different answer?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/mqh35/why_cant_leaded_engines_use_unleaded_petrol/
{ "a_id": [ "c332n9e", "c332n9e" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Neither of those is correct. The leaded gasoline vapor can be compressed more than unleaded without spontaneously exploding due to the temperature increase. The compression ratio is determined by engine geometry, so an engin...
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[ [], [] ]
j9msq
From where do we measure distances between celestial bodies? (center-to-center? surface-to-surface?)
Essentially exactly what's in the title. For example if you're saying the earth is on average 1 AU from the sun, then does that mean that the center of the earth is 1 AU from the center of the sun (kind of what I figure) or that the surface of the earth is 1 AU from the surface of the sun. The reason I ask is [this v...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/j9msq/from_where_do_we_measure_distances_between/
{ "a_id": [ "c2aamgy", "c2ac3dt", "c2aamgy", "c2ac3dt" ], "score": [ 2, 7, 2, 7 ], "text": [ "It varies. Most celestial bodies aren't \"measured\", their distances are estimated using a variety of techniques.\n\nThe Moon for example can be measured by firing a laser at a sm...
[]
[ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1Yi58jtNdY&feature=player_embedded" ]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
8vxu8d
why does our heartbeat and blood pressure lower in our sleep and why is it important for our body to do so?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8vxu8d/eli5_why_does_our_heartbeat_and_blood_pressure/
{ "a_id": [ "e1rfjfd" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "* You are lying down. It takes more effort for your heart to pump blood straight up to your brain than it takes to pump when your whole body is horizontal\n\n* Your muscles aren't moving during sleep so they requires less blood\n\n* Your brain us...
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