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7o0jqu
How do digital alarm clocks remain so accurate over extended periods of time?
I was wondering about my $5 alarm clock today. It is cheaply made, but has consistently shown the correct time since I bought it. If an alarm clock was off by a mere second every hour, it would only be 1/3600th or about .03% off every hour. That seems so insignificant, but that would make the clock off by a minute aft...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7o0jqu/how_do_digital_alarm_clocks_remain_so_accurate/
{ "a_id": [ "ds5y78s", "ds6skt9" ], "score": [ 19, 3 ], "text": [ "At the core you have a quartz crystal oscillator which will have a bit of drift over time but we're talking a few minutes every year. \n\nThe frequency of the oscillator depends on the physical dimensions of the crystal whi...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
2aleyp
What was the climate like in ancient Greece? Was it the same as today?
I just came back from a holiday in Greece where it is 40° Celsius at the moment and expected to get even hotter in late july and august. It's next to impossible to do any manual labor outside during the day. Athens (again) opened up airconditioned public buildings as shelter for those at risk of heart disease. Were te...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2aleyp/what_was_the_climate_like_in_ancient_greece_was/
{ "a_id": [ "ciww6uh", "ciwxfzx" ], "score": [ 2, 3 ], "text": [ "I would love to see an answer to this. I, for one, have always been curious if thousands of years have had an effect on the taste of fruits and vegetables. As in, back when 100% of the fresh water on the planet was unpollute...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://muller.lbl.gov/pages/iceagebook/history_of_climate.html" ] ]
1wgzy6
how do stormproof matches work and should i be adding them to my normal survival kit?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1wgzy6/eli5_how_do_stormproof_matches_work_and_should_i/
{ "a_id": [ "cf1uzrs" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Stormproof matches are basically regular matches with a light coating of wax to keep them waterproof. Scratching the match on a surface removes the wax, then simply strike like normal. You can easily make your own waterproof matches by simply d...
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[]
[ [] ]
3lbxgd
Why did France sold Louisiana and other regions to US, when in 18th and 19th century, every nation wanted to control as much as land possible.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3lbxgd/why_did_france_sold_louisiana_and_other_regions/
{ "a_id": [ "cv5265k" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Nations didn't just want land for land's sake, they wanted the resources attached to that land. The primary resource produced by Louisiana in the 18th century was grain. Louisiana was a huge stretch of land, and it takes money to administer and ...
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[ [] ]
46v3wv
why do some plants die even though you take good care of them while others grow all over even though you try to keep them down?
How can some be so weak and others so strong
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/46v3wv/eli5_why_do_some_plants_die_even_though_you_take/
{ "a_id": [ "d082jsv", "d085ntj" ], "score": [ 6, 3 ], "text": [ "There are so many variables that are very different for every plant. First is type of soil, how well it drains and ph. Second is the ph of the water and amount of water you give it, most plants do not like their roots soaked...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
6ebx20
how come we never see ups vehicles at gas stations?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6ebx20/eli5_how_come_we_never_see_ups_vehicles_at_gas/
{ "a_id": [ "di95vmu", "di960gx" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "they have pumps at the distribution center. Fill up when they get back at the end of the shift so the truck is ready to go for the next day.\n\nthey buy enough gas its worth it to buy direct. no reason to cut a 3rd party in ...
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[ [], [] ]
1zdnfw
Why camels don't often develop kidney stones?
Camels can go a long way without urinating, and when they do it's often a thick, syrup-like urine. What kind of protection they have against the formation of kidney stones, since they are storing under-diluted minerals for a long time in their kidneys and bladder?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1zdnfw/why_camels_dont_often_develop_kidney_stones/
{ "a_id": [ "cfuaj6t" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Unsurprisingly, camel urine is less closely studied than human urine. Surprisingly, to me, camel urine is mostly studied for its properties as a potential medicine. \n\nCamel kidneys are much better than human kidneys at concentrating urine, so i...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19710023044_1971023044.pdf", "http://www.soas.ac.uk/camelconference2011/file84329.pdf" ] ]
6njkhs
why some perfumes last for long time while the other dissappear after short time ?
I mean the the smell of that perfume and its strength also ?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6njkhs/eli5_why_some_perfumes_last_for_long_time_while/
{ "a_id": [ "dka1dr6" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Perfume is a complex substance made up of essential oils, extracts, alcohol, water, wax, and other complex molecules and they all evaporate at different rates. \n\nIn general the more volatile a molecule and the lower it's vapor pressure, the qui...
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[ [] ]
2g8gky
what does the fluffy thing on my microphone do?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2g8gky/eli5what_does_the_fluffy_thing_on_my_microphone_do/
{ "a_id": [ "ckgmf74" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Microphones measure pressure waves by responding to moving air. Wind also moves air. The fluffy things reduce the amount of wind noise the microphone picks up. " ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4val3v
Is there any other experiment that suggest wave-particle duality besides the double-slit experiment?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/4val3v/is_there_any_other_experiment_that_suggest/
{ "a_id": [ "d5x2rjk", "d5x34qs", "d5x7a50" ], "score": [ 12, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "There's [Davisson-Germer](_URL_0_). Basically all experiments today in nuclear/particle physics are examples of quantum-mechanical scattering, so both the wave-like and particle-like properties play a ...
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[]
[ [ "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davisson–Germer_experiment" ], [], [] ]
cf0gti
why does decibel level multiply way past the point of the source when there are multiple sources even though they all have the same decibel.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cf0gti/eli5_why_does_decibel_level_multiply_way_past_the/
{ "a_id": [ "eu6a5wp", "eu70jc1" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Throw a pebble in a pond, and it will make waves. \n\nThrow two pebbles in that pond and when their waves meet, they'll make extra big waves and extra big troughs. \n\nThe bigger waves in this case and troughs are bigger pre...
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[ [], [] ]
4gceqa
why are there no universally agreed on classic albums anymore?
When people look back upon the music of the 60's everyone can seem to agree on a few "classic" albums. "Sgt. Pepper", "Pet Sounds" and "Blonde on Blonde" just to name a few. In the last 20 years or so it seems that no album can reach a consensus like the ones I mentioned. The only recent albums I can think of that migh...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4gceqa/eli5_why_are_there_no_universally_agreed_on/
{ "a_id": [ "d2gbw1u", "d2gc4e2" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "I don't think it's a matter of nostalgia. Rather, it's a consequence of how music distribution has changed the fandom.\n\nFrom the 1920s to the 1970s or so, a great deal of people's exposure to music was through radio. And t...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
18k271
If I became a hermit in the woods, would I ever again get a cold or the flu?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/18k271/if_i_became_a_hermit_in_the_woods_would_i_ever/
{ "a_id": [ "c8fhehj" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Yes. The flu and cold are only transmitted through close contact with other humans. However, this does not mean *all* diseases aren't going to reach you. Many illnesses can spread through birds, air, insects, etc... " ] }
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[ [] ]
91xq7s
what does the saying have your cake and it too mean? hell yeah i’d want to eat my cake.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/91xq7s/eli5_what_does_the_saying_have_your_cake_and_it/
{ "a_id": [ "e31jkfa", "e31jvp1", "e31p3ob" ], "score": [ 3, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "If you eat it you don’t “have” it anymore. Things meant to be used, should be used and enjoyed without remorse. ", "I've heard that in Italian the phrase is \"he wants his wine unopened and his wife...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
rq1m8
Can you tell me how France became a Nation-State?
I'm doing a presentation on the birth of modern Nation-States (more specifically France), and I would like to hear what facts you have about that. So far I've been using Braudel's and Perry Anderson's take on it.
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/rq1m8/can_you_tell_me_how_france_became_a_nationstate/
{ "a_id": [ "c47qgb6" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "When the feudal levy system fell out of favor and the army became a professional force relying on taxation for pay. All of the people under the military commanders' purview became subject to such taxation and were thus a nation." ] }
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[ [] ]
1e4muf
Why is it dangerous for someone who has been exposed to a "starvation diet" to immediately return to a normal diet ?
If I remember correctly, the prisoners from the concentration camps in WWII sometimes ate themselves to death after they got out of the camps because the jump between the meals they got in the camps and the meals that were available outside of the camps was too big. What causes this?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1e4muf/why_is_it_dangerous_for_someone_who_has_been/
{ "a_id": [ "c9wr7pl", "c9wtxt2" ], "score": [ 13, 2 ], "text": [ "There is concern for [refeeding syndrome](_URL_0_), in which a number of fluid and electrolyte abnormalities (particularly hypophosphatemia and fluid retention), which can result in cardiovascular, pulmonary, GI, muscular, ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refeeding_syndrome" ], [] ]
5yfhqc
why do football team supporters fight each other? (uk)
I don't know if this is common in other countries, but in the UK the supporters of football teams fight each other. Usually it's planned, like they go to a certain location and get into a massive fight... But why?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5yfhqc/eli5_why_do_football_team_supporters_fight_each/
{ "a_id": [ "depjkhz", "depk253", "depl74y" ], "score": [ 3, 9, 3 ], "text": [ "It is also a problem in other countries. I think that these people take things to serious.\nI mean, at the end of the day its just a sport and you won't have any disadvantages if your team loses. Just c...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/dec/19/football-violence-view-around-world", "http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/english-soccer/question-of-religion-as-basis-for-support-still-contentious-1.1655070" ] ]
1egdje
When did the modern notion of "the American dream" become popular and how has it shaped the way Americans conceptualize domestic politics?
Before asking this question I skimmed through the Wikipedia page on the subject and am looking for something a little more in depth. As with many ideals or values, the idea of the American Dream has changed over time. I'm more curious about the modern American Dream that focuses on the notion that if an individual wo...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1egdje/when_did_the_modern_notion_of_the_american_dream/
{ "a_id": [ "ca00udq", "ca012i1", "ca026cn", "ca04zfh", "ca07q17" ], "score": [ 6, 3, 3, 3, 10 ], "text": [ "There is a related documentary from PBS: _URL_0_\n\nThere are many interesting books and publications by Hayek and his critics. They make good google searche...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/shared/minitextlo/int_ralphharris.html" ], [ "http://www1.good.com/news/press-releases/current-press-releases/161009045.html", "http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/eighteen/ekeyinfo/legacy.htm" ], [], [ "http://hnn.us/articles/jim-cullen-...
12k3zl
Can light encounter any form of friction?
I'm pretty sure that light has no mass and you need mass to have friction but does light have some other resistant force maybe dark energy?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/12k3zl/can_light_encounter_any_form_of_friction/
{ "a_id": [ "c6vqgjs", "c6vwubl" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "No, light does not experience friction. Friction is a result of the electromagnetic interaction and/or the exchange interaction, and light does not experience either of those.\n\nIt's worth noting that friction is something ...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
sun1m
Curious Thought, While Studying for AP Physics B (Frequencies and Waves)
I know this may sound like a dumb question, or maybe not, but I really want to try to understand the concept of waves, especially when discussing photons and De Broglie wavelengths. From my awesome physics teacher, the best teacher at my school IMO, really helped me a lot with understanding concepts in physics (I'm th...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/sun1m/curious_thought_while_studying_for_ap_physics_b/
{ "a_id": [ "c4h3ye7" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "If you are talking about the wavelength of light, you are certainly thinking about it in the *wave* sense. We can return to the wave-particle duality in a moment after we define the wavelength of light.\n\nA wave of light is in fact a propagating...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_packet", "http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_radiation" ] ]
6ow229
why are "special forces" and "special operation forces" considered different unit types?
I was reading about NATO field symbols, and according to wikipedia, "Special Forces" and "Special Operation Forces" have distinct symbols, but their respective links lead to the same page (Special Forces). [The Wikipedia Page](_URL_0_) [A picture of the table itself](_URL_1_) Is this just a localized language thing...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6ow229/eli5_why_are_special_forces_and_special_operation/
{ "a_id": [ "dkkos09" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Special forces are people with an elevated level of training and skill. They can be embedded within normal troop squads (for example, a sniper in overwatch of a squad or patrol area).\n\nSpecial Operation Forces are a team of Special Forces who a...
[]
[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_Joint_Military_Symbology", "http://i.imgur.com/pbLxHDm.png" ]
[ [] ]
bjk4st
What would a mansion built in northern New York at 1850 by a member of the aristocracy most likely have looked like?
[deleted]
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/bjk4st/what_would_a_mansion_built_in_northern_new_york/
{ "a_id": [ "em91jqd" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I'm not 100% sure what a \"member of the aristocracy\" means in the context of 1850s New York - a New York patroon? An exiled European aristocrat? Just a really rich person in New York?\n\nBut...if you are interested in what a well-to-do, promine...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.nps.gov/mava/index.htm" ] ]
3u13ke
when you open your mouth really wide to yawn and it feels like your eardrum pops, what is actually happening?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3u13ke/eli5_when_you_open_your_mouth_really_wide_to_yawn/
{ "a_id": [ "cxazop6", "cxb5v3m", "cxb81ii", "cxbqriy" ], "score": [ 28, 4, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Your sinuses and ears are connected via a thin tube called the eustachion tube. Sometimes the tube gets kinked like a hose and the free flow of air is blocked. A change in pressur...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
61mf1y
how do the eggs we get from the grocery store not have baby chicks in them? or if the baby chick is the yolk, how does that transformation happen?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/61mf1y/eli5_how_do_the_eggs_we_get_from_the_grocery/
{ "a_id": [ "dffks1e", "dffku2x", "dffkuuc", "dffn7ei", "dffng0l" ], "score": [ 8, 3, 7, 2, 2 ], "text": [ " > if the baby chick is the yolk\n\nIt's not. The yolk is *nutrients* for the baby chick as it develops inside the egg. Mammals get the nutrients they need ...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
dbrw0s
Was Septimius Severus Rome's Black Emperor?
I've heard a lot about Rome's "black emperor" Septimius Severus, though all I've been able to verify on my own is that he was from where we would now call Libya. Of course, photography didn't exist back then, so all we have are paintings, yet I've seen this man depicted with a dark skin tone in old depictions as well a...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/dbrw0s/was_septimius_severus_romes_black_emperor/
{ "a_id": [ "f23oflz" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "Not to discourage new answers, but I've partially addressed the perceptions of skin colour in the ancient world with reference to Septimius Severus before [here](_URL_1_). Likewise, /u/cleopatra_philopater has written a [much more extensive and n...
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[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/69nsex/how_would_an_egyptian_in_alexandria_at_the_turn/dhcarob/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/b5lrko/the_classical_world_and_race/" ] ]
3ga346
why do updates for computers come straight from microsoft or apple, yet i have to wait months for cell phone updates to come from google/apple and go through my service provider?
I just had to wait 3 fucking weeks for an important security update for Android make it through AT & T, why is this allowed?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ga346/eli5why_do_updates_for_computers_come_straight/
{ "a_id": [ "ctw8cjd", "ctw8gz9", "ctw8oby" ], "score": [ 5, 17, 5 ], "text": [ "Google is now trying to change that and force updates regardless of the carrier.\n\nThe problem is that many carriers include custom programming on their handsets, which may include custom apps, config...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
guk7v
How do 'epigenetics' change our view of Darwinian evolution?
Edit: I have heard a lot lately about how it brings into question whether Lamarck was correct in saying that some acquired characteristics are inherited. Is this perspective presenting a good argument against Darwinian evolution? Are they really even that different schools of thought?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/guk7v/how_do_epigenetics_change_our_view_of_darwinian/
{ "a_id": [ "c1qec4d", "c1qeun7" ], "score": [ 16, 3 ], "text": [ "I don't think it does. \r\n\r\nThe theory of natural selection doesn't specify the exact mechanism of heredity, it only \"requires\" some features already present in the genetic heredity: morphological features to be coded ...
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[ [], [ "http://healthland.time.com/2010/12/27/study-you-are-what-your-dad-ate/" ] ]
66tww3
While talking with an old German WWII vet today, the man gave me a rather intersting tidbit of information that I'm hoping I can get some backstory on.
I was volunteering at a nursing home and saw a man sitting by himself playing a harmonica. I sat down and introduced myself, and after a little talking the man revealed he was in the middle of training to fight in the German Army in Romania when World War 2 came to an end. He had many interesting tales (such as how he...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/66tww3/while_talking_with_an_old_german_wwii_vet_today/
{ "a_id": [ "dgld8tt", "dglf61u" ], "score": [ 4, 5 ], "text": [ "I just want to clarify/simplify your question possibly.\n\nAre you asking if it is possible that Matthias really did see African-Americans in Europe at or near the end of WW2 who were wearing leaves on their heads?", "OP...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://www.rangerjoes.com/Enhanced-Helmet-Band-2-Position-Coyote-Tan-P7482.aspx", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmet_cover", "http://www.rangerjoes.com/MICH-Helmet-Cover-P7996.aspx" ] ]
1mxx8s
How has the public perception of mental illness changed over time?
I was involved in a discussion about psychiatry being a relatively young profession and became interested in how mental illnesses were handled throughout time. Were the mentally ill seen as just not trying hard enough? Was it seen as demons? Are there any notable historical figures who were probably suffering from some...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1mxx8s/how_has_the_public_perception_of_mental_illness/
{ "a_id": [ "ccdq2fs" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Public and private perceptions of mental illness during the medieval and early modern period differed greatly from current attitudes. During the early modern period (17th century, to be more precise), an increased medicalisation of the concept of...
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[]
[ [ "http://books.google.ro/books/about/History_of_Madness.html?id=B5Pyfip2P1gC&redir_esc=y" ] ]
1y9x72
why does a wireless internet connection provide worse results when videoconferencing (skype, etc.) as opposed to using a wired internet connection
Hi, I was testing out how the video quality of videoconferencing is affected when you are connected to the video call via wired and wireless connections. Clearly, the wired connection is smoother and has less video stutter, but I don't really understand why. Everyone says a wired connection is more stable and faster...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1y9x72/eli5_why_does_a_wireless_internet_connection/
{ "a_id": [ "cfim56k" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Wireless Internet is transmitted via radio signal. Radio is easily disrupted, by microwaves, tvs, hell, even Christmas trees. It's a fickle thing. The second part to this is how this information is sent and received. It is transmitted via small \...
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[ [] ]
5nwd3j
scientifically speaking, why does a simple butter and flour roux make cheese melt better?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5nwd3j/eli5_scientifically_speaking_why_does_a_simple/
{ "a_id": [ "dcetpgh" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "A roux is made by taking oil (or butter) and flour, which is made up of several types of starch, and *slowly* evaporating all available water molecules in the flour by heating the oil-flour mixture. This causes the color to change from a white/c...
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[ [ "https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/food-dining/2016/01/25/better-macaroni-and-cheese-through-science/4ajKeGFOKChDzN1ZYXiWeK/story.html" ] ]
5psjrs
when you press the unlock button on your keys, how does it only work on your car?
I'm guessing it unlocks it with a frequency value, but there must be something more?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5psjrs/eli5_when_you_press_the_unlock_button_on_your/
{ "a_id": [ "dctgzu7" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ " > I'm guessing it unlocks it with a frequency value, but there must be something more?\n\nIt's not just something more. It's everything more. There is no \"secret frequency\" that's used. Instead, the keyfob and car both have electronic circu...
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[ [] ]
2cyrhr
If I were on a spaceship travelling towards earth, would earth-time appear to speed up?
So assume that I have an amazing telescope that can see earth at street level from any distance. And assume that the earth is at a fixed point in space, or that I am travelling faster than it is travelling away from me. Also assume that I know how to fly a spaceship/operate a telescope. Would earth-time, from my persp...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2cyrhr/if_i_were_on_a_spaceship_travelling_towards_earth/
{ "a_id": [ "cjke477" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Yes, the Doppler effect would apply, and you would see clocks on Earth going faster. _URL_0_.\n\nOther posters might say that Earth clocks will be slowed, which is what \"happens\" in a very specific perspective (_URL_1_), but this is not what y...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relativistic_Doppler_effect", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_dilation" ] ]
1n7q2m
Why is North Africa looked at as the "sanest" front of WWII?
As opposed to Europe and the Pacific, the North African front is always portrayed in pop culture as a chess match between Montgomery/Patton and Rommel. Is it purely the generals' influence that informs this view, or was it actually the "least insane" part of the war?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1n7q2m/why_is_north_africa_looked_at_as_the_sanest_front/
{ "a_id": [ "ccg57gg", "ccg78eh" ], "score": [ 8, 13 ], "text": [ "Well, you have to compare it to the rest of the war: \n\nWestern Europe is under occupation, and there is little actual land fighting going on between 1941 and 1944 - the exception being the Dieppe debacle, and isolated res...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
1wtmp8
Were there any major attempts or developments by any other persons or governments when the Wright brothers were making their first flight?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1wtmp8/were_there_any_major_attempts_or_developments_by/
{ "a_id": [ "cf5bfvo", "cf5c9pp" ], "score": [ 4, 5 ], "text": [ "A well-known attempt was by is Samuel P. Langley, who had had success with gliders and powered models. Was fond of 'tandem wing' designs (one wing behind another). His first serious manned attempt was in 1903, shortly befor...
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[ [ "http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19180001000" ], [ "http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3307743.stm", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Pearse" ] ]
2zofwh
What makes a primary source?
I am currently confused about the definition of a primary and secondary source. Tacitus' Annals struck me as an example, I thought he was considered a primary source on the Roman empire. He describes Agrippina's 'supposed' murder of Claudius, however Tacitus was not present at the event. Is this actually a primary acco...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2zofwh/what_makes_a_primary_source/
{ "a_id": [ "cpktb8e", "cpkwy0z" ], "score": [ 7, 2 ], "text": [ "Tactitus would not be considered a primary source. He was writing 100 years after the first events he describes in *Annals*. While that makes him a significantly more valuable source than a historian writing 400 years later,...
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[ [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/theory#wiki_historiography_and_studying_primary_sources" ] ]
4al68e
why do colleges accept people in bulk rather than in smaller batches?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4al68e/eli5_why_do_colleges_accept_people_in_bulk_rather/
{ "a_id": [ "d11aphd" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "most colleges do have rounds of acceptance... the notification is automated, easier to click the button for everyone in a group when your ready to. see how many accept first round and then send a 2nd round, and a third," ] }
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[ [] ]
1r6vce
Magnetic Reversals
I was wondering when the next Polar-Magnetic reversal will occur for our planet. I have read they occur every 100K years or so? if I'm not mistaken. when is the best estimate for the next one and also what are your theories on why these occur. Thanks
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1r6vce/magnetic_reversals/
{ "a_id": [ "cdkd57i" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "There are several problems with forecasting reversals. Firstly, they do not occur at regular intervals. \n\nI was going to post a big explanation with nice figures, but in searching for nice figures I found this, which does the job brilliantly. _...
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[ [ "http://all-geo.org/highlyallochthonous/2009/02/is-the-earths-magnetic-field-about-to-flip/" ] ]
18nuuj
Why are planets all relatively small compared to stars?
I have never heard of a rock based planet that wasn't a tiny fraction of the size of the star it's orbiting. Are there planets comparable to the size of stars? To clarify, I mean planets like Earth or Mars, not like Jupiter or Saturn.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/18nuuj/why_are_planets_all_relatively_small_compared_to/
{ "a_id": [ "c8gokog", "c8gr8b0" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Jupiter and Saturn are also an insignificant fraction of the sun.\n\n > Jupiter's radius is about 1/10 the radius of the Sun,[24] and its mass is 0.001 times the mass of the Sun,\n\nIf Jupiter was ~13 times heavier it might...
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[ [], [] ]
32n9yb
What controls a transistor's input current?
I've learned a bit about transistors, and fully understand the whole process of the input current creating an "electron bridge" that allows electricity to flow from the source to sink through the doped metal. However, I'm not seeing how the input current is controlled. A light switch can change from "on" to "off" bu...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/32n9yb/what_controls_a_transistors_input_current/
{ "a_id": [ "cqd0ebj" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "For most transistors, it's another transistor. \n\nThere is no universal answer to your question, as it's entirely dependent on the circuit in question. A transistor could be driven by an LDR (light dependent resistor), a potentiometer, a thermis...
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[ [] ]
1k220v
how a plasma cutter can achieve temperatures of over 45,000 degrees fahrenheit?
I was watching Man At Arms on YouTube and he briefly mentioned that his plasma cutter achieved temperatures of 45,000 degrees Fahrenheit. How is that possible? Wouldn't temperatures like that be too hot for a human to be around?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1k220v/eli5_how_a_plasma_cutter_can_achieve_temperatures/
{ "a_id": [ "cbklnrw", "cbkr8ji" ], "score": [ 10, 4 ], "text": [ "A small plasma cutter requires ~2500 watts. A small space heater burns the same amount of electricity, so there isnt a lethal amount of energy. Also, with a plasma arc, the point that reaches extreme temps is very small, an...
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[ [], [] ]
b2a3v2
what would the crew of a wwii tank be facing inside once they were hit?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b2a3v2/eli5_what_would_the_crew_of_a_wwii_tank_be_facing/
{ "a_id": [ "eirbica", "eird3bo", "eirtzkz" ], "score": [ 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "If the armor is not pierced they would be jostled severely, but not much more than if they hit bad potholes. \n\nIf the armor is pierced then they would be facing the percussive energy of whatever pierc...
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[ [], [], [] ]
1am4ia
What was the involvement of Irish-America soldiers at the battle of Gettysburg?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1am4ia/what_was_the_involvement_of_irishamerica_soldiers/
{ "a_id": [ "c8yqtsg" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "The Irish Brigade (with the 69th, 88th, and 63rd Regiment ) was made up of Irish men from NY.\n\nAt Gettysburg, they attacked and held a part of the battlefield known as Wheatfield, considered one of the bloodiest areas of the battle. They fought...
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[ [ "http://www.history.army.mil/topics/ethnic/irish/Ir-gbg.htm" ] ]
34pc3k
what is so big about the recent boxing fight?
I don't follow the sport, so can someone explain why this match was so hyped/ talked about (at least seen on the media, and my facebook news feeds/friends statuses). What makes it so special and why is there so much hype surrounding it?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/34pc3k/eli5_what_is_so_big_about_the_recent_boxing_fight/
{ "a_id": [ "cqwt8vu", "cqwtbgz", "cqwtdy6" ], "score": [ 4, 9, 3 ], "text": [ "If some one can answer please do? I am curious as well", "For you and /u/spartan1124\n\n_URL_3_\n\n_URL_6_\n\n_URL_1_\n\n_URL_2_\n\n_URL_5_\n\n_URL_0_\n\n_URL_4_\n\nTl:dr They're both big boxers, th...
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[ [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/34p3d4/eli5_what_is_the_big_deal_with_the_mayweather_vs/", "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/34ojhe/eli5_whats_the_big_deal_with_this_fight_tonight/", "http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/34o7ah/eli5_why_are_peo...
30epyp
why do not more regions of the world have different dialects of a language that persist today? considering a great many humans lived for centuries in smaller group conditions that lend themselves to variations in language (unlike today), why is, say, chinese more an exception than a norm?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/30epyp/eli5_why_do_not_more_regions_of_the_world_have/
{ "a_id": [ "cprqece", "cprrzaq" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "The different \"dialects\" of Chinese are really different languages -- we group them together because they share the same writing system and are all related, but honestly, they can be just as different as, say, French and I...
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[ [], [] ]
3d669d
Does a birds song usually stay within a key and possibly follow a chord progression? Are they just singing nonsense as far as music theory is concerned?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3d669d/does_a_birds_song_usually_stay_within_a_key_and/
{ "a_id": [ "ct2scb2" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "As far as human musicality is concerned they're pretty much singing nonsense. Many bird species don't necessarily 'sing' *per se* at all. A lot of it is simply mimicking sounds in their environment. Also, songs change with geographical location w...
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[ [ "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3947120/" ] ]
3tb90w
the differences of a business trust versus an llc.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tb90w/eli5_the_differences_of_a_business_trust_versus/
{ "a_id": [ "cx4ojwy" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Both are entities under state law, so the answer will depend upon the state where they're organized as well as the state or states where they'd doing business. If this is something you need to know for decision making, you need to see a lawyer.\...
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cbzamx
what happens when a child breaks his leg right before a big growth spurt?
Is the leg able to heal and grow at the same time? Is growth potential compromised in any way? Will the leg resume growing once the healing process ends?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cbzamx/eli5_what_happens_when_a_child_breaks_his_leg/
{ "a_id": [ "etjccpw", "etjkygi", "etjw2fw", "etjwk5t" ], "score": [ 3, 15, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Depends where the break is. Growth in long bones like the leg occurs at growth plates, so growth should continue if the plates weren't compromised.", "A kid in my elementary s...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
88vef2
how do all politicians become filthy rich while in office?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/88vef2/eli5_how_do_all_politicians_become_filthy_rich/
{ "a_id": [ "dwnifow", "dwnin5p" ], "score": [ 2, 11 ], "text": [ "Frequent, but that's not always the case.\n\nThe Clinton's claim to have been almost broke when they left the white house. They weren't made of money to begin with and even the 6 figure salary of the president wasn't enough...
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[ [], [] ]
a5uze0
How does a muscle attach to a tendon and how does a tendon attach to a bone?
Is it physical structures like microscopic hooks/anchors? Some kind of biological "adhesive"? Edit: Question answered. Several very knowledgeable people have done a great job of explaining that there is no "attachment" rather there is no end between bone/tendon and muscle, they all just merge into each other. Which is...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/a5uze0/how_does_a_muscle_attach_to_a_tendon_and_how_does/
{ "a_id": [ "ebpnfjf", "ebpo49y", "ebpo5us", "ebpob3o", "ebpqmx2", "ebps53t", "ebpzw00", "ebq45ss", "ebq7der", "ebqz6qe", "ebrfaff", "ebrrwxl", "ebsxxal" ], "score": [ 40, 396, 212, 2720, 10, 13, 44, 26, 2, 5, 2, 2...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2100202/#!po=54.6875" ], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/301images/muscle_structure.jpg", "http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/301images/muscle\\_structure.jpg" ], [] ]
41v5pi
What was the state of battlefield medical care during the Napoleonic period?
If a soldier was shot but not something immediately fatal, what care could they expect immediately? Assuming they survived long enough to be removed from the battlefield, what treatment would they have in a field hospital, and then in a convalescent ward or similar? Assuming they survive all that, maybe minus a leg, w...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/41v5pi/what_was_the_state_of_battlefield_medical_care/
{ "a_id": [ "cz5p8uk" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Although the Napoleonic period saw some of the first attempts at providing systematic battlefield care for the wounded, the general state for of battlefield medicine for all combatants was generally poor and inadequate. A typical Napoleonic era b...
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[ [ "http://h2g2.com/edited_entry/A5103271", "http://www.napoleonicsociety.com/english/riaudwars.htm" ] ]
14358p
Is there marble on the moon?
Are there metamorphic rocks on the moon? Does regolith have a metamorphic counterpoint the way some earth rocks turn into marble? Are there gemstones on the moon that do not exist on earth?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/14358p/is_there_marble_on_the_moon/
{ "a_id": [ "c79keoo", "c79l5pl" ], "score": [ 11, 2 ], "text": [ "Absolutely not. Marble is a metamorphic rock made from limestone - which is a sedimentary rock made from the hard shells of marine animals. so to get marble we need both oceans & life on the moon. ", "We don't yet ...
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[ [], [] ]
1yk99f
Why are berserkers depicted biting shields in Viking culture?
For example, the rooks in the Lewis chessmen. I live in York which was founded by vikings and there are also statues of berserkers biting their shields in fury. Is this merely artistic interpretation or was this a way of intimidating enemies? Was this common?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1yk99f/why_are_berserkers_depicted_biting_shields_in/
{ "a_id": [ "cflsq01" ], "score": [ 6 ], "text": [ "Was it common? Commonly depicted, certainly, in a wide range of written and visual art we can see in the surviving antiquities of the Viking Age. In trying to figure out what berserkers *really* did, though, it's important for us to remember that...
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6nvj3t
what is a stock 'put' and how does it work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6nvj3t/eli5_what_is_a_stock_put_and_how_does_it_work/
{ "a_id": [ "dkcj1fj", "dkcjieb" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "A put or put option is a contract that gives the holder the right to sell stock at a certain price to the other party in the contract, but without an obligation to sell (it's the buyer's choice) usually either on or before b...
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[ [], [] ]
6kg6n1
if a baby is born in canada to an american mother and the father has dual-citizenship in america and australia, what does that mean for the child's citizenship?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6kg6n1/eli5_if_a_baby_is_born_in_canada_to_an_american/
{ "a_id": [ "djlr8ln" ], "score": [ 18 ], "text": [ "In most cases, citizenship is not determined by international law, but only by the domestic law of the sovereign state granting a person citizenship of that state.\n\nThe child would be a Canadian citizen because it was born in Canada. The child...
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[ [] ]
8rn608
Is the British monarch a direct male line descendant of Rollo the Conquer, the Viking who settled Normandy after being baptized? If not why?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8rn608/is_the_british_monarch_a_direct_male_line/
{ "a_id": [ "e0snqwj" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "No, Queen Elizabeth is not a direct male-line descendant of Rollo, or of Rollo's great-great-great-grandson William I the Conqueror. As you can see from [this family tree](_URL_0_), the throne has changed lines several times.\n\nHowever, you did...
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_tree_of_English_and_British_monarchs" ] ]
jkkqz
How are we able to block out "noise" when talking together?
When I am talking a friend, it easy to "block out" other sounds, like say other people talking beside or between us, but when i am having a group conversation over the phone, skype ect. its impossible to focus on one voice, and block out the rest.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/jkkqz/how_are_we_able_to_block_out_noise_when_talking/
{ "a_id": [ "c2cwdap", "c2cwdap" ], "score": [ 5, 5 ], "text": [ "This is called the Cocktail Party Effect. I did a bit of research on it a while back because I can't do it (I have [King-Kopetzky syndrome](_URL_0_)).\n\nIn normal brains, the incoming soundstream is parsed into tiny interva...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%E2%80%93Kopetzky_syndrome" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%E2%80%93Kopetzky_syndrome" ] ]
6bxoky
what actions constitute collusion? is collusion inherently illegal or does the action need to be illegal?
**I'm not asking if it happened or not, I'm asking what it could look like if it did happen.** I'm legitimately interested and hoping for an apolitical explanation without the speculation about what did/didn't happen. With that in mind, let's talk about Jill Stein colluding with Jamaica. 1. I've heard about Stein coll...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6bxoky/eli5_what_actions_constitute_collusion_is/
{ "a_id": [ "dhqbicf", "dhqbnck" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Collusion just means working together in secret or behind the scenes. It's not inherently a crime. It can be used loosely to describe the crime of conspiracy, which is committed when two or more people agree to commit some u...
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[ [], [] ]
39r24w
Would a common roman (first century) be influenced by long distance trade, or was commercial access to benefits of Indian and eastern goods something exclusive to upper class luxuries?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/39r24w/would_a_common_roman_first_century_be_influenced/
{ "a_id": [ "cs5sgmp" ], "score": [ 21 ], "text": [ "Ooo, one of my favorite questions, and the answer is: yeah, a bit. Now there is a bit of a cop-out answer in which you can say that common people would be affected do to economic ripples, in the same way that the price of houses in Florida can e...
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fwdyi
Different transportation containers
This might seem like an extremely silly question, but I hope someone here has an answer for me. Why are solids transported in cubes, but liquids transported in cylinders? And I'm not really referring to cans of soda, but on trucks and such. And trains. Why the cylinder for a liquid, and not a square? Doesn't the squa...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/fwdyi/different_transportation_containers/
{ "a_id": [ "c1j4drh", "c1j4jji", "c1j4nmk", "c1j4vg7" ], "score": [ 3, 8, 14, 3 ], "text": [ "The main concern that I'm aware of is 'slosh'. The center of gravity is high with those containers. A truckload in the US would be between twenty and twenty-six tons, so you can i...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
902ojz
What did police work in Louis XIV's Paris look like and what makes a police force "modern?
Hi Historians!  I have a couple of related questions about police work in 17th century Paris, and would welcome insights or book recommendations. \-Gabriel Nicolas de la Reynie, who became Lieutenant General of Police of Paris starting in 1667, is often credited with creating France's first modern police force.  What...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/902ojz/what_did_police_work_in_louis_xivs_paris_look/
{ "a_id": [ "e2sgbeh" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "**PART 1**\n\nFirst and foremost, we need to define what the word police meant in 17th-century France, which was not the same as today. Today, the word *police* is pretty much restricted to an institution or institution that has the missions to s...
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[]
[ [ "https://criminocorpus.org/fr/reperes/legislation/textes-juridiques-lois-decre/textes-relatifs-a-lorganisati/edit-de-creation-de-loffice-d/", "http://portail.atilf.fr/cgi-bin/dico1look.pl?strippedhw=police&dicoid=NICOT1606" ] ]
2iikyj
i clean about 2 pounds of dust from my room every month. what does this means for my lungs ?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2iikyj/eli5_i_clean_about_2_pounds_of_dust_from_my_room/
{ "a_id": [ "cl2idf2", "cl2jrlu", "cl2k1as", "cl2ke56", "cl2kt70", "cl2lkfj", "cl2ls8d", "cl2mm6m" ], "score": [ 9, 24, 15, 2, 3, 10, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Not much, unless the dust is something allergen inducing (dander, mite poop), or with car...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.colorado.edu/outreach/BSI/k12activities/interactive/actidhpamucociliary.html" ], [], [ "http://youtu.be/wtVGnoOJKfI?t=5m8s" ] ]
9356wm
why do humans see little perfect circles when there is light bloom irl?
I've always noticed these perfect discrete circles of light, especially when it's a light in a dark location. Can anyone explain why it seems to form these perfect circles which almost seem to spread out discretely?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9356wm/eli5_why_do_humans_see_little_perfect_circles/
{ "a_id": [ "e3ao5d7", "e3aonvm" ], "score": [ 3, 5 ], "text": [ "What little perfect circles are you talking about? I don't see them. I do see auras of light around very bright lamps, such as the street lamps at night. Is that what you're referring to?", "When you look at a single sma...
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[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airy_disk" ] ]
3wpp8g
what is the piezoelectric effect
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3wpp8g/eli5_what_is_the_piezoelectric_effect/
{ "a_id": [ "cxy2f5y" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Basically it's where a material will generate electricity if mechanical force is placed on it, and it will vibrate if electricity is placed on it. One of the more interesting aspects of physics, imo. If you get a piezoelectric material (generall...
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eoe7l6
why does chapstick/lip balm make your lips peel more than before you used it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eoe7l6/eli5_why_does_chapsticklip_balm_make_your_lips/
{ "a_id": [ "fecl52z", "fecmi5l", "fecpvpv", "fecsqxa", "fecss1a", "fecwfp2", "fecxdh6", "fecyesh", "feczycg", "fed9efo", "fedb4of" ], "score": [ 2324, 180, 4, 6, 17, 9, 7, 12, 60, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "You’re getting a l...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1ja3nj
what does the atf do and why are those 3 entities lumped together?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ja3nj/eli5_what_does_the_atf_do_and_why_are_those_3/
{ "a_id": [ "cbcn1t7", "cbcn4sq", "cbcn7og", "cbcnnyz", "cbcpct3", "cbcr3ny", "cbcwelq" ], "score": [ 6, 7, 2, 6, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The ATF is basically defined by just a couple of federal laws, primarily the Volstead Act (Booze), the 1934 Natio...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
64dgzq
Are the effects of quantum entanglement instantaneous or are limited by the speed of light?
If two photons are entangled and are separated by a light-year, would it take a year for one photon to show the changes made to the other?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/64dgzq/are_the_effects_of_quantum_entanglement/
{ "a_id": [ "dg1ib86", "dg1icj8", "dg1ijvr", "dg1jfvf", "dg3h5tk" ], "score": [ 6, 23, 5, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "The effect is instantaneous. Specifically, say two people separate two entangled particles some great distance apart without destroying the entanglement betw...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
51yz37
why is the iphone 7 waterproof in 1 meter deep water, but not any deeper?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/51yz37/eli5_why_is_the_iphone_7_waterproof_in_1_meter/
{ "a_id": [ "d7fznbi", "d7fzoqu", "d7fzsie" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Because water pressure increases the deeper you go into water and something that can withhold the pressure of 1M of water can't necessarily withhold the pressure of 10M of water. ", "Add-on question...
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[ [], [], [] ]
25kou3
I've seen AskHistorians answer many questions, but never THE question: What can accurately be said to have caused the "Fall of Rome", and how drastic was this fall?
Speaking of the collapse of the western roman empire in the 5th century, of course. What are the underlying changes occurring in western civilization and the world at that time that allowed this to happen? I know I'm opening a big door here, but this is the most reputable venue to pose this question outside of acade...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/25kou3/ive_seen_askhistorians_answer_many_questions_but/
{ "a_id": [ "chi6avd" ], "score": [ 9 ], "text": [ "**What is the “fall of Rome”?** Of course, as any Byzantinist can tell you, the Roman Empire did not cease to exist in the 5th century; for this reason, I'll try to stick to the expression “fall of the WRE” (Western Roman Empire) for the remainde...
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[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1zq13r/how_did_constaninople_replace_rome_as_a_capital/cfvydk6" ] ]
7i1kx9
why are printers so much harder to configure than other appliances?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7i1kx9/eli5_why_are_printers_so_much_harder_to_configure/
{ "a_id": [ "dqvefjh" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "1. Printers aren't really an appliance. They're a computer peripheral.\n\n2. In what ways are printers hard to configure? Sometimes drivers can be a pain, but again, that's a computer thing, not an appliance thing. Once installed they're fairly s...
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[ [] ]
8fy00z
how does a coil generate a magnetic force?
Most answers I've read assume I know what happens at the atomic level. I know about the flow of electricity sure, but I don't know why coils specifically have the same properties as a typical bar magnet.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8fy00z/eli5_how_does_a_coil_generate_a_magnetic_force/
{ "a_id": [ "dy7c5vp" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "When electrical current flows through a conductor, it creates a magnetic field around the wire. This field is oriented such that the lines of Force revolve around the axis of the wire. When this wire is coiled, aligns all of these magnetic fields...
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[ [] ]
qysos
The Mongols and Islam
Can someone point me in the right direction for English-language primary documents regarding the Mongol conquests from Iran and westward, mainly dealings with Islam? I'm actually not too picky about what they are I'm just looking for something to start with and from there I'm good. Thank you very much, I must have swal...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/qysos/the_mongols_and_islam/
{ "a_id": [ "c41kjum", "c41kmm4", "c41l1ng", "c41tb9u", "c41yz7q", "c4214gg" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 2, 2, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Primary documents? In English regarding the Mongol conquests? Uh, I don't think so. The amount of writing done in the 1300s in English i...
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[ [ "http://books.google.com/books?id=fxC5_iUVY-YC&pg=PA253&dq=ghazan+islam&hl=en&sa=X&ei=6cdiT4HMLtDyrQfH09G9Bw&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=ghazan%20islam&f=false", "http://books.google.com/books?id=7FLUMVIqIvwC&dq=The+Mongols+and+the+West&hl=en&sa=X&ei=nshiT9i...
40e9rm
Dinosaur carving on wall inside Angkor Wat?
Several months ago, my big brother travelled to Cambodia and took tons of photos of the magnificent temple of Angkor Wat. He took tons of picture of carvings. On one wall, it showed three animals (a hoofed animal, as it seems, and some reptile, and another animal that I forgot). Engraved in the wall of the *some repti...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/40e9rm/dinosaur_carving_on_wall_inside_angkor_wat/
{ "a_id": [ "cytkvmm" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "There's numerous reasons that it's very clearly *not* a stegosaurus.\n\n* You mention a small head, but the animal depicted has a rather large one, with horns at that. It's much more of a rhino or boar head than anything a mildly talented artists...
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[ "http://www.paleo.cc/ce/cambo-mammal2.jpg" ]
[ [ "http://res.cloudinary.com/dk-find-out/image/upload/q_80,h_700/Stegosaurus1_gmj1la.jpg" ] ]
n1wqk
Do the symptoms your body creates during a flu help you get rid of the virus?
I know the flu causes stuffy nose, runny nose, cough, fever, sore throat and I also know that many of these things are a mechanism by the body as a result of the virus and not the virus itself doing these things. My question is do any of these symptoms actually help your body rid you of the virus? Would I die if I neve...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/n1wqk/do_the_symptoms_your_body_creates_during_a_flu/
{ "a_id": [ "c35o7hv", "c35q7p5", "c35o7hv", "c35q7p5" ], "score": [ 6, 2, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes, the symptoms do help you during infection.\n\nFever is useful for multiple reasons. One is that processes that the virus needs to replicate may not work as well at higher tem...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/mayer/vir-host2000.htm" ], [], [ "http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/mayer/vir-host2000.htm" ] ]
6hfmov
how come europeans measure everything with the metric system except screens/monitors and wheels?
I've lived in Europe for almost 4 years and these are the only exceptions I've noticed.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6hfmov/eli5_how_come_europeans_measure_everything_with/
{ "a_id": [ "dixy6b0", "diy010r" ], "score": [ 3, 4 ], "text": [ "Industry Standards. Some regulations or standardization rules were developed first in areas where the metric system was not used, thus it became industry standard for an international company (even if they are in a country t...
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[ [], [] ]
3yokeq
How safe was it for VIPs such as Churchill to visit active theatres of war during WW2?
I've recently seen footage of Churchill visiting troops in North Africa and it got me thinking about the logistics involved in ensuring someone as important as this was kept safe when visiting such places. Obviously I'm not an expert and so the first reaction I have to this is that's an unnecessary risk given that Euro...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3yokeq/how_safe_was_it_for_vips_such_as_churchill_to/
{ "a_id": [ "cyfgx97" ], "score": [ 11 ], "text": [ "Churchill's trip to North Africa in August 1942 was probably the most potentially hazardous. He certainly passed through airspace where Axis aircraft patrolled including the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean. He could have taken a safer (from...
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[ [] ]
n226l
Time and the Death of the Universe
I am by no means a science expert, but as I understand it, the universe is expanding at an ever increasing rate. Eventually, all matter will decay back into energy, right? So my question is when we get to the point when the last particle decays and the universe is billions of times bigger than it is now, and expanding ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/n226l/time_and_the_death_of_the_universe/
{ "a_id": [ "c35ni1a", "c35ni1a" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ " > all matter will decay back into energy\n\n[Only if the proton is not stable](_URL_0_).\n\n", " > all matter will decay back into energy\n\n[Only if the proton is not stable](_URL_0_).\n\n" ] }
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_decay" ], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_decay" ] ]
vapnf
Is the Islamic slaughtering of animals actually less painful than "regular" slaughtering?
Some time ago, professor Schultz and Dr. Hazim from the Hanover (Germany) did research on the subject of ritual slaughtering of animals. They concluded that in the Halal method of slaughtering, the group of test subjects felt less pain than those in the group that goth the method with CBP stunning. I have a hard time ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/vapnf/is_the_islamic_slaughtering_of_animals_actually/
{ "a_id": [ "c5310qb" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "According to the Farm Animal Welfare Council, Halal and Kosher butchering processes cause more pain and suffering than newer methods.\n\n_URL_0_\n" ] }
[]
[ "http://www.radioislam.org.za/a/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1558&Itemid=47", "http://www.imamreza.net/eng/imamreza.php?id=7197" ]
[ [ "http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2977086.stm" ] ]
t60g3
How big are lake tides?
In answer to another question, someone said lakes have tides, but very small ones, compared to the ocean. This seems reasonable, but how big are they? Is there a formula that predicts how big a tide will be, based on the size of the lake? How would you go about measuring a lake tide, assuming the tide is so small it wo...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/t60g3/how_big_are_lake_tides/
{ "a_id": [ "c4jxfmu" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "Any body of water will have tides because of the response to tidal forcing. Because of reasonably complex orbital mechanics, the tidal forcing [has several constituent periods](_URL_1_).\n\nBy itself, that will create a small tide -- but it wil...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelvin_wave", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_tide#Tidal_constituents", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_resonance", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_tide" ] ]
43jtyt
how do the high explosive shells of naval artillery explode on impact? how do the armor piercing shells explode once they've penetrated armor and are inside a ship?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/43jtyt/eli5_how_do_the_high_explosive_shells_of_naval/
{ "a_id": [ "czipxg2" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Shells that go off on impact use a simple [contact fuze](_URL_2_). Armor-piercing shells (like HEAT rounds), however, don't actually explode inside anything. Rather, they explode just outside the armor, sending forward a jet of molten metal which...
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[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaped_charge", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjH0tpnisLo", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contact_fuze" ] ]
nissp
why don't people check wikipedia before submitting an eli5 post?
Hmm...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/nissp/eli5_why_dont_people_check_wikipedia_before/
{ "a_id": [ "c39fbc2", "c39fbc2" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Did you look up human psychology and laziness/natural enegy conserving before posting this?", "Did you look up human psychology and laziness/natural enegy conserving before posting this?" ] }
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[ [], [] ]
1kp262
When firing a bullet out of a gun, at which point does the bullet reach its maximum speed? Is it at the point the bullet leaves the barrel or is it a couple of feet later?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1kp262/when_firing_a_bullet_out_of_a_gun_at_which_point/
{ "a_id": [ "cbr7077", "cbrage0" ], "score": [ 5, 6 ], "text": [ "It depends on the length of the barrel and other factors like rifling, twist rate, smooth bore. It's possible the bullet could reach its maximum velocity somewhere in the barrel if it's long enough. Short barrelled guns like...
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[ [], [] ]
69om27
how is the value of a new floating currency determined?
In forex trading, what determines the 'value' of a currency? Especially when it's being initially floated?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/69om27/eli5_how_is_the_value_of_a_new_floating_currency/
{ "a_id": [ "dh8aseh" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "every morning in the market square they will auction off one forex. however many goats the winning bid is gets translated to their weight in salt and the salt is then sold on the open market. the value of the salt then becomes the price of one ...
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5pzk6v
how does our brain "edit out" our nose from our line of sight?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5pzk6v/eli5how_does_our_brain_edit_out_our_nose_from_our/
{ "a_id": [ "dcv6h6y", "dcvqjov" ], "score": [ 5, 2 ], "text": [ "The same way you stop noticing anything else. It is always there completely unmoving and unchanged. It's there in your view and your brain sees it but compared to everything else in the view it's so unimportant that you igno...
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[ [], [ "https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=view+trough+binoculars&view=detailv2&&id=25BD60081D498498C2C80558258DC9CA2B06B085&selectedIndex=37&ccid=kEijzOBx&simid=608012996432169687&thid=OIP.kEijzOBxRdcIrmibWWvp1AEsCh&ajaxhist=0" ] ]
bwq56v
What’s the best modern translation of the Epic of Gilgamesh?
I’m slightly obsessed with the Epic of Gilgamesh and own it in 3 translations already, including the 1960 Nancy Sandars translation, the 2003 (republished) Andrew George edition and the 2004 Stephen Mitchell version. Of them, I know the first is outdated (although some parts of the translation are still superb), the se...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/bwq56v/whats_the_best_modern_translation_of_the_epic_of/
{ "a_id": [ "eq082bv" ], "score": [ 623 ], "text": [ "You have excellent timing. [A new edition by Benjamin Foster](_URL_1_) was published just last month. In addition to incorporating the new textual finds, it includes supplementary essays such as Gary Beckman's discussion of the Hittite fragment...
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[ [ "https://books.google.com/books?id=gy6ODwAAQBAJ", "https://books.wwnorton.com/books/webad.aspx?id=4294998181", "https://books.google.com/books?id=P8fQuAEACAAJ" ] ]
2ryadv
deep sea exploration. what's being done and what has been done?
I'm just curious regarding the exploration of the deep deep sea, what has been done to uncover the secrets and is anything planned in the near future? And what has been found so far. Why can't they just send a submarine down and see what they find?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ryadv/eli5_deep_sea_exploration_whats_being_done_and/
{ "a_id": [ "cnkeitu" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "I have a friend who is a hadal (deep deep sea) ecologist so I'll answer with what I know from talking to her. \n\nWhat do we know? very little. Her PhD dissertation is trying to figure out what is down there and what they eat - in other words, th...
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71gkfw
When/how was the Atlantic Ocean named?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/71gkfw/whenhow_was_the_atlantic_ocean_named/
{ "a_id": [ "dnanv2d" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "According to the Oxford English Dictionary *Atlantic* first appears in Late Middle English. It was adopted from the Latin *Atlanticus*, which in turn came from the Greek *Atlantikos*, which in turn came from *Atlant*- and the god Atlas.\n\nBut ho...
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9xberc
why do drafts of air extinguish small fires (e.g. candles) , yet intensify larger fires (e.g. bonfires)?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9xberc/eli5_why_do_drafts_of_air_extinguish_small_fires/
{ "a_id": [ "e9qw0k3", "e9qwqjk" ], "score": [ 3, 5 ], "text": [ "Imagine a wave of food falling on a starving child. Imagine that same wave of food crashing into an obese person.", "For most fires you have a _URL_0_ that illustrate what is needed for combustion. \n\n\nThat is heat, f...
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[ [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_triangle" ] ]
4e5y07
Was there any point during the Cold War where the US or the Soviet Union considered using the atomic bomb?
If there was such a point, why weren't the weapons used? On a similar note, in what way would the absence of nuclear weapons have changed the dynamics of the cold war? My understanding is that the Soviet Union had far more troops than the Americans, and the atomic bomb acted as a deterrent to possible Soviet aggressi...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4e5y07/was_there_any_point_during_the_cold_war_where_the/
{ "a_id": [ "d1xatn3" ], "score": [ 30 ], "text": [ "There were numerous \"close calls\" to the use of nuclear weapons. The Berlin airlift crisis, for example, as early as 1948. The Korean War. The Cuban Missle Crisis. Many more. Some of these came quite close to actual use, especially in a tactic...
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2a0yn0
if there have been no major flight terrorism incidents recently, why is the tsa still "beefing up" security measures constantly?
Maybe I'm not watching the right news, but there hasn't been much in last 5ish years of people trying to attack planes. Despite this, it seems like the Tsa is putting new requirements out every few weeks. The most recent of which, dead phones don't fly, made me think of this question. Why do they have all this power if...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2a0yn0/eli5_if_there_have_been_no_major_flight_terrorism/
{ "a_id": [ "ciqmp1j" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Administration is pushing this story in the news and a media blitz about this \"new threat\" is part of it. The rise of ISIS as the #1 jihadi group has placed incredible pressure on the old-style Al-Qaeda groups, which face irrelevance in the nea...
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abnyrp
for the average person, what would be the basic steps between having a million dollar idea for a product, and manufacturing and selling that product?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/abnyrp/eli5_for_the_average_person_what_would_be_the/
{ "a_id": [ "ed1r97l", "ed1rolf" ], "score": [ 3, 9 ], "text": [ "First you'd probably need to register as a business, through whatever method is existing in your jurisdiction (you don't have to, but I'd really, really recommend it).\n\nThen you'd need to figure out how you're producing it...
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[ [], [] ]
1o7lni
What is the earliest record of human contact with radioactive material?
Presumably humans had contact with uranium and other such material before they understood it's atomic potential. Did it have alternative uses? Was there anyone before Marie Curie who we think died of radiation sickness?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1o7lni/what_is_the_earliest_record_of_human_contact_with/
{ "a_id": [ "ccpi0pe", "ccpioub", "ccppzcs" ], "score": [ 30, 3, 9 ], "text": [ "Butugichag was apparently known of and avoided by the local nomads, as it made their deer, and themselves, sick. Presumably humans have died in locations similar to this for millennia.\n\nThere is a d...
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[ [ "http://www.dangerouslaboratories.org/radoz.html" ], [], [ "http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/226113?uid=3739400&uid=2&uid=3737720&uid=4&sid=21102737085491" ] ]
3p7xi9
why are adobe products so expensive?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3p7xi9/eli5why_are_adobe_products_so_expensive/
{ "a_id": [ "cw3wgdl", "cw3wxij" ], "score": [ 32, 4 ], "text": [ "There are many reasons why:\n\nAdobe's softwares are the results of a long time of research and programing, they are to say the least, products of great quality and gives other businesses tools to create their activity and ...
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[ [], [ "paint.net" ] ]
1y2y2q
Did people actually used to think that there were Martians on Mars? Or was that never actually a popular theory among scientists and/or the public?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1y2y2q/did_people_actually_used_to_think_that_there_were/
{ "a_id": [ "cfgzmyv" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "There were at least a few respected scientists/philosophers of science during the 19th century who were somewhat confident that there either were martians living on Mars or that there had been martians at some point. I can remember Herschel and W...
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2y9zs5
i get that muscles generate force, but how do they do it? why do bigger muscles mean more force generated?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2y9zs5/eli5i_get_that_muscles_generate_force_but_how_do/
{ "a_id": [ "cp7lq4d" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Not necessarily more force, but more force in a given period of time. Muscles generate force by processing and releasing stored energy, which causes them to contract, (for example, contracting your biceps pulls your forearm up). Generally, the ...
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1wntrz
Was "shell shock" it's own disorder, or was it an extreme case of PTSD?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1wntrz/was_shell_shock_its_own_disorder_or_was_it_an/
{ "a_id": [ "cf3z4ia", "cf3zc6s", "cf3zswo" ], "score": [ 8, 18, 10 ], "text": [ "First, most historians are very reticent to \"diagnose\" people of the past for two reasons. One, diagnosis and medical understandings are greatly influenced by cultural understandings of \"normality\...
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[ [], [], [ "http://www.simonwessely.com/Downloads/Publications/Military/historical/Jones%202007%20-%20shell%20shock%20mtbi.pdf", "http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/shellshock_01.shtml" ] ]
1zur50
Did Japanese atrocities in China, such as Nanjing, continue at the same level throughout WWII or did it change over time?
The most famous Japanese atrocity occurred in Nanjing, but it occurred during the first year of the Second Sino-Japanese War. I know things like the comfort women continued throughout the war, but did Japanese troops sustain these kind of massive massacres whenever they captured cities? Or was there a shift over time (...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1zur50/did_japanese_atrocities_in_china_such_as_nanjing/
{ "a_id": [ "cfxaqfk" ], "score": [ 17 ], "text": [ "In many ways, yes. After the fall of Wuhu in December 1937, for instance, an American missionary reported: \"During the first week of occupation, the ruthless treatment and slaughter of civilians and the wanton looting and destruction of the hom...
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[ [] ]
t7247
Is there any possibility of life in lava/magma?
I've been thinking, if bacteria can survive in the coldest temperatures on Earth, why not some of the hottest?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/t7247/is_there_any_possibility_of_life_in_lavamagma/
{ "a_id": [ "c4k356x", "c4k37qc", "c4k3t6t", "c4k455s" ], "score": [ 9, 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Carbon based life would not be able to withstand the extreme temperature found in liquid rock, it would simply burn away. \n\nExtremophiles take advantage of all manner of seemingl...
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[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extremophile" ], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperthermophile" ], [] ]
1d9nmf
how tv ratings work
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1d9nmf/eli5_how_tv_ratings_work/
{ "a_id": [ "c9oaded", "c9oae21", "c9ob4x3" ], "score": [ 3, 108, 14 ], "text": [ "For clarification: content ratings ([listed here](_URL_0_))? Or popularity ratings ([mentioned here](_URL_1_))? Both have more info if you search in the sidebar, but if someone has a good explanation...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.tvguidelines.org/ratings.htm", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_ratings" ], [], [] ]
28lk1j
Did ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Rome, Greece, etc ever sail any amount into the Atlantic?
Did they? And if they did, did thy go very far and how would they describe / see the Atlantic ocean?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/28lk1j/did_ancient_civilizations_such_as_egypt_rome/
{ "a_id": [ "cic7s72" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This topic is one which has been of much debate; rather controversial truly. However we are certain that some ancients did in fact sail into the Atlantic; how far? That's the controversial debate. \nI will make a specific example of antiquated Gr...
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