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cazmsj
What aspects of a speaker determine it's max volume?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/cazmsj/what_aspects_of_a_speaker_determine_its_max_volume/
{ "a_id": [ "etc3w0h", "etc416u", "etc5co8", "etc626o", "etc7cd8", "etcaj22" ], "score": [ 31, 12, 81, 3, 11, 2 ], "text": [ "Volume is just an amplitude of the signal which is carried by a sound wave. You can imagine the amplitude as a \"size\" of the sound...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiele/Small_parameters" ], [] ]
k6izx
what makes elements perform ionic and covalent bonds?(x-post from askscience)
I've heard the whole lecture about how the atoms want to be "happy" by sharing electrons, but they never tell us why or how. If you just put these elements in a room by themselves, would they do it on their own, or do they need something else? i.e. If I put one part oxygen and two parts hydrogen in a room completely b...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/k6izx/what_makes_elements_perform_ionic_and_covalent/
{ "a_id": [ "c2i64wn", "c2i64wn" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Ionic bonds are a bit easier to visualize I think. You can sort think about it this way: Atoms are composed of a nucleus with protons and a bunch of electrons. Each proton carries a positive charge and each electron carries ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMB2VR0087w" ], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMB2VR0087w" ] ]
1jwf1d
What did people do before coffee?
Coffee consumption is so pervasive now, what did people do without it? Was there a common daily stimulant used in Europe prior to the importation of goods from the New World? What about other parts of the world? When did tea become popular in Western Europe? Is tea consumption in Britain linked to the colonization of I...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1jwf1d/what_did_people_do_before_coffee/
{ "a_id": [ "cbj0xh8", "cbj7ieg", "cbj7l23" ], "score": [ 2, 6, 2 ], "text": [ "In the Arabian Penninsula and parts of Africa, [khat](_URL_0_) was (and is) sometimes used. it's a leaf that you can chew, and is a stimulant. it's quite common in yemen. while it's not used widely, ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khat" ], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1hhvv3/did_the_ancient_romans_have_their_own_version_of/" ], [] ]
e6z4cl
What equipment would ancient Romans use against armoured opponents? ~107BC-395AD
Talking about the post-Marian Republican and early imperial Rome, when fighting armoured opponents, such as other Roman legions in a civil war, what sort of weapons would they use considering the gladius seems better suited to stab lightly armoured opponents? (Unless my perception on Roman infantry warfare is off, plea...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/e6z4cl/what_equipment_would_ancient_romans_use_against/
{ "a_id": [ "f9ug5eg" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Standard fighting equipment for a post-Marian legionnaire was the gladius, pilum, pugio, scutum, galea, and some sort of body armor, either the lorica squamata, lorica hamata, or, mainly imperial, lorica segmentata. This profile rarely if ever ch...
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[]
[ [] ]
5tyqq0
why was black and white photography very high resolution at it's peak, but soon after when color photography was introduced, it was very bad quality?
Same with like video and stuff. By "it was very bad quality", I'm talking about the bad quality of the color photography when it was introduced.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5tyqq0/eli5_why_was_black_and_white_photography_very/
{ "a_id": [ "ddqbc1l" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Black and White film has one emulsion, color film has three emulsions (RGB). \n\nAccording to [Wikipedia](_URL_0_):\n\n > Photographic emulsion is a fine suspension of insoluble light-sensitive crystals in a colloid sol, usually consisting of gel...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photographic_emulsion" ] ]
3larxd
How can a layman tell how reliable a source is?
So in my spare time I've been reading up/listening to books and such about (primarily) Rome. Some sources I hear good things about (such as the ask-historians podcast and the history of rome podcast) and figure I can trust to provide good information but there are a ton of other books and authors I've never heard of a...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3larxd/how_can_a_layman_tell_how_reliable_a_source_is/
{ "a_id": [ "cv4nemc", "cv4s6dg", "cv4sgdy", "cv4t3fn", "cv4t656", "cv4tvmf", "cv4y5o8", "cv54knj", "cv57w24", "cv5q26p" ], "score": [ 17, 9, 79, 2, 10, 10, 3, 3, 2, 4 ], "text": [ "A good start is to look at the sources used....
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2nxsli/monday_methods_critical_reading_and_criticism/" ], [], [], [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/books", "http://bmcr.brynmawr.edu" ] ]
9r2lsb
If genetic testing shows Ashkenazi Jewish people have much more relation to the semitic people, where did the Khazar jews end up after the empire collapsed?
I'm aware this is a controversial topic, but I find migration of different ethnic groups fascinating. The Khazars are particularly interesting, as it's not often an entire nation converts to another religion en masse, that's a sizable Jewish population.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/9r2lsb/if_genetic_testing_shows_ashkenazi_jewish_people/
{ "a_id": [ "e8es0cx" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This thread has a pretty good compilation of threads on the religion of the khazars\n\n_URL_0_\n\n\n_URL_1_\n\nBy /u/gingerkid1234" ] }
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2sj7wo/how_was_judaism_introduced_to_the_khazars_how_did/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/92owbf/did_the_khazars_really_convert_to_judaism/" ] ]
dxbzwq
Books on early fascism's relationship to liberalism and socialism?
More specifically, the early Italian fascist movement and it's ties to anarchism, Marxism and conservative liberal forces.
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/dxbzwq/books_on_early_fascisms_relationship_to/
{ "a_id": [ "f7y1w8c" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Emilio Gentile (whose works have the additional quality of being, some times, available in an English translation) has spent a good portion of his career analyzing the early stages of the ambiguous definition of a \"fascist ideology\" within the ...
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[ [] ]
sn12o
Can a solar system or star get pulled into a different galaxy?
I saw [this post](_URL_0_) of interacting galaxies in r/spaceporn, and it made me wonder if the gravitational pull from a galaxy could be strong enough to pull a star/solar system away from a second (nearby) galaxy.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/sn12o/can_a_solar_system_or_star_get_pulled_into_a/
{ "a_id": [ "c4fc9hi" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "In around four billion years our galaxy will collide with the Andromeda galaxy (Since galaxies are largely empty space with the odd solid bit - it won't be quite as violent as it might seem - probably).\n\nAssuming that the two galaxies subsequen...
[]
[ "http://i.imgur.com/kEay5.jpg" ]
[ [] ]
1oamak
Is the Higgs field an actual physical field of energy?
Hi there I recently finished reading Physics and Psychics by Victor J. Stenger and in it he says that ''fields'' on a quantum level in science / mathematics aren't physical fields per se but they are mathematical constructs used to understand reality better. Now the book was published in 1990 (I believe) so maybe the ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1oamak/is_the_higgs_field_an_actual_physical_field_of/
{ "a_id": [ "ccqc4hi", "ccqhiw4" ], "score": [ 8, 3 ], "text": [ "First off the Higgs field is as real a field as any other field and was predicted in the 60's. As to whether particles or fields are fundamental or mathematical tools, that is really a philosophical question. ", "I'd sa...
[]
[ "http://www.huffingtonpost.com/victor-stenger/particles-are-for-real_b_2177361.html" ]
[ [], [] ]
1rhwdb
Why is the direction of the torque vector significant?
Torque is a vector, the cross-product of the force vector and r, the vector representing the distance of the applied force from the center of rotation. Since the torque vector is the cross-product of two vectors, it is also by definition orthogonal (perpendicular) to both force and r vectors. In many cases, this result...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1rhwdb/why_is_the_direction_of_the_torque_vector/
{ "a_id": [ "cdnfssi", "cdng4a7", "cdngftu" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 16 ], "text": [ "the in or out direction comes from the right hand rule, which is where you put your right hand on \"r\" and then curl your fingers towards the direction of the force. so lets say that \"r\" is going to...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
49yoj3
law of conservation of mass
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/49yoj3/eli5_law_of_conservation_of_mass/
{ "a_id": [ "d0vwkjb", "d0vz2fh" ], "score": [ 10, 2 ], "text": [ "It's like when you're playing with your legos, buddy. You can take your house apart, make it into a car, move the bricks closer together or further apart. But you can't break the bricks, they're indestructible. Now pretend ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1xklp2
just seen captain phillips, why are cargo ships sailing around the horn of africa so poorly defended?
The whole boarding scene really makes you think about how ridiculous the whole piracy thing has been over the past few years. Four guys on a wooden boat with rusty AKs and no shoes capture a gigantic cargo ship that has to defend itself with water cannons and *distress flares*. All they would need is one gun to shoot b...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xklp2/eli5_just_seen_captain_phillips_why_are_cargo/
{ "a_id": [ "cfc6jvx", "cfcfzc5" ], "score": [ 9, 2 ], "text": [ "International maritime law forbids arming merchant ships.", "Captain Phillips is actually being [sued](_URL_0_) by his crew for “willful, wanton and conscious disregard for their safety.” he is not the man the film makes...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://nypost.com/2013/10/13/crew-members-deny-captain-phillips-heroism/" ] ]
67yg1m
why can't robots move exactly like humans yet? what is holding engineers back?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/67yg1m/eli5_why_cant_robots_move_exactly_like_humans_yet/
{ "a_id": [ "dgu750a", "dgu7tyl", "dgue75j", "dgur4vv" ], "score": [ 5, 13, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "My uneducated (somewhat) guess would be rapid fine tuning of balance and equilibrium of a bipedal body.\n\nIf you really try and \"feel\" your muscles as you move, or even stay in...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
1xg262
why can't the cellular infrastructure that is in place to provide 3g and lte just be used to create a giant wifi network?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xg262/eli5_why_cant_the_cellular_infrastructure_that_is/
{ "a_id": [ "cfb0fol", "cfb1jkq", "cfb1zel", "cfb2vyo" ], "score": [ 4, 4, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Those networks use different standards to provide their signals. It's not like it's all using the same frequency for all of the various forms of wireless. [Source.](_URL_0_)", ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_wireless_data_standards#Overview" ], [], [], [] ]
1q79y3
why are "bologna" and "lasagna" pronounced so utterly differently?
Is it just an English thing?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1q79y3/eli5_why_are_bologna_and_lasagna_pronounced_so/
{ "a_id": [ "cd9wq5l", "cd9wv0b" ], "score": [ 4, 7 ], "text": [ "In Italian the \"gn\" combination sounds the same for both words.", "We've Americanized the pronunciation of *bologna* a lot more than *lasagna*." ] }
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
xqqld
I'm an extremely deep-sleeper, and have massive troubles waking up on time. Is there a scientific alarm solution?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/xqqld/im_an_extremely_deepsleeper_and_have_massive/
{ "a_id": [ "c5ore6r", "c5ork1b", "c5orz92", "c5os9ec" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "I read about using sunlight/simulated natural light to help people wake up: _URL_0_\n\nI use a similar thing but I go low-tech when trying to wake up my 5-year-old (not an easy tas...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/sleep/basics/how-to-fall-asleep2.htm" ], [ "http://www.nandahome.com/" ], [ "http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/8f1a/" ], [] ]
3gxrgh
how can banks detect if someone else is using your credit/debit card when the amount is small and the location of purchase is near?
I've had a bank call me for a $16 purchase that was made in the city that 10 minutes away from where I live. I've been there and bought plenty of things before so how did they detect that I was not there at that time nor did i make that purchase?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3gxrgh/eli5_how_can_banks_detect_if_someone_else_is/
{ "a_id": [ "cu2hynt" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "What was the store? What was the time? Had you made any other purchases recently?\n\nFraud detection systems work by finding patterns in your spending and flagging things that don't fit the pattern. If it's in a weird city when you're normally...
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[]
[ [] ]
1bw8ws
Why is Napoleon often portrayed with his right hand tucked into his vest?
As an art history minor, I frequently came across portraits of Napoleon and other contemporaries in this pose. I asked a French art history professor about it once and she didn't have an answer. Is it a military stance specifically, or related to men's fashion? Why always the right hand and not the left? In looking at ...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1bw8ws/why_is_napoleon_often_portrayed_with_his_right/
{ "a_id": [ "c9ao2hv", "c9ao9a3", "c9at90s" ], "score": [ 13, 6, 8 ], "text": [ "The pose is quite common in period paintings: \n\nDirectly bearing on the \"hand-in\" posture, and underpinning Nivelon's description of it as \"manly boldness tempered with modesty,\" is Bulwer's \"Si...
[]
[ "http://historyonyx.blogspot.com/2011/09/napoleon-and-reshaping-of-europe.html" ]
[ [ "http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-17011388/re-dressing-classical-statuary.html" ], [], [] ]
dkn6ah
albinism seems like a very disadvantageous mutation. how has it continued in the animal kingdom?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dkn6ah/eli5_albinism_seems_like_a_very_disadvantageous/
{ "a_id": [ "f4hqztg" ], "score": [ 14 ], "text": [ "A mutation can appear more than once in time. Albino animals pretty much never have albino parents, it just appears randomly and likely subsides again as the chances of reproduction are lowered. The parents have instead carried an albino gene, w...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
27766e
what happens when my computer is connecting to/loading a website/?
From the moment I finish typing the URL to the moment I arrive at the webpage, whats happening?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/27766e/eli5_what_happens_when_my_computer_is_connecting/
{ "a_id": [ "chy37ji" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "There's many steps, but here is a simple explanation:\n\nYou send an \"HTTP request\" to the server. HTTP is the protocol commonly used to send/receive data on the internet. Let's just say it's like the format of when you write your address and d...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.reddit.com/**", "reddit.com", "www.reddit.com" ] ]
7sp6hj
Why is the modern nation of Ghana located far southeast of the medieval kingdom of Ghana?
[deleted]
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7sp6hj/why_is_the_modern_nation_of_ghana_located_far/
{ "a_id": [ "dt8ra92" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "This question comes up from time to time. My answer in [this thread](_URL_0_) gives the specific context for how the Gold Coast colony came to be named Ghana. Also, [this post from last month](_URL_1_) provides additional context about the oral t...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3pve7m/why_is_the_empire_of_ghana_so_far_away_from_the/cwapzxm/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7ld3ri/why_ghana_empire_isnt_in_ghana/" ] ]
1yjpg9
Why do old portraits all look so similar? I feel like I have no idea how these people really looked.
For example, I was recently reading about Henry VIII and his wives. All of their portraits look so similar other than slight differences. Very angular faces and features. His wives look virtually identical, save for their hair color. Was this a style preferred by nobility then? Or was it the style of artist at the time...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1yjpg9/why_do_old_portraits_all_look_so_similar_i_feel/
{ "a_id": [ "cfl7ft3", "cfla1hx", "cflfulo" ], "score": [ 7, 14, 7 ], "text": [ "You have to remember that portraiture is a very formal event. It takes hours for an artist to paint a portrait and they were quite expensive. People would dress up in their finest clothing to pose for ...
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[]
[ [], [], [ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Retrato_del_Papa_Inocencio_X._Roma%2C_by_Diego_Vel%C3%A1zquez.jpg" ] ]
dlnr4b
Chinese(?) coins
Hello everyone, I've got these two (what I assume are) chinese rusty coins and I've always been interested to get to know something more about them. I am possitive they are just replicas of various coins from who know what century but I'd still love to learn more about them. Unfortunately, they are not in the best ...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/dlnr4b/chinese_coins/
{ "a_id": [ "f4shu2b" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Based on your drawing the first one is from the period of the Daoguang 道光 Emperor, the 8th Qing emperor who ruled from 1820 to 1850. The second is from the reign of the Shunzhi 順治 Emperor, who was the third Qing emperor, ruling from 1644 to 1661...
[]
[ "https://imgur.com/a/JQmuBGR" ]
[ [] ]
enmjub
How are artifical sweeteners digested by the body?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/enmjub/how_are_artifical_sweeteners_digested_by_the_body/
{ "a_id": [ "fe6qdn5" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It depends on the sweetener. They are very different molecules. \n\nAspartame, brand name Equal, is basically a tiny protein molecule with an alcohol molecule stuck on the end. It gets broken apart into its component parts and they are digested s...
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[ [] ]
scbm6
I have some hypothetical questions about magnetic spheres.
Sorry if this is a lay question, but I doubt it's been asked before. There are 2 spheres, or balls technically. They are made of some magnetized metal. Sphere #1 is thicker and has the larger radius, with the north pole on the outside, and the south pole on the inside. Sphere #2 is thinner and has the smaller radius, ...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/scbm6/i_have_some_hypothetical_questions_about_magnetic/
{ "a_id": [ "c4cvge0", "c4cvp11" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Based on what I can understand of your question you are horribly misunderstanding magnetism.\n\nReason: Your spheres are impossible.\n\nWithout a path to complete what I generally hear termed the \"magnetic circuit\" you are...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.kjmagnetics.com/magdir.asp" ], [] ]
153cgf
Why don't we create a small scale nuclear reactor to power cars individualy?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/153cgf/why_dont_we_create_a_small_scale_nuclear_reactor/
{ "a_id": [ "c7iwmrp" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "The cost is far too high for it to be reliable and consistent, and the waste produced would be difficult to manage, depending on the type of fuel used." ] }
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[]
[ [] ]
5i6hfk
in terms of microeconomics, how does piracy of digital goods affect supply, demand, sale, price, etc.?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5i6hfk/eli5_in_terms_of_microeconomics_how_does_piracy/
{ "a_id": [ "db5yia7", "db5zgvs" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "Within a narrow context, piracy has two effects. It depresses or increases potential demand for a product at the rate at which the file spreads through a population. There's less than 1 to 1 correlation between the number of...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
5shonw
why do emojis show up differently on ios vs android devices?
Why aren't there universal emojis?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5shonw/eli5_why_do_emojis_show_up_differently_on_ios_vs/
{ "a_id": [ "ddf4kw3", "ddf6ceb" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "Well consider it like a different font type. It still conveys the same information, but it is a separate style. ", "When your phone sends text back and forth, it's encoded as numbers. These are standard, so 33 is !, 65 ...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
4k3gb4
Did the Romans have some concept of 'standardized spelling'?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4k3gb4/did_the_romans_have_some_concept_of_standardized/
{ "a_id": [ "d3c8duj" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "I think this depends entirely on what era you're looking at.\n\nSo far as I am aware, there wasn't an institution in Rome that said \"Ok, everyone, amicus is a second declension noun, not a fourth declension one!\" I'm not sure how linguists woul...
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[ [] ]
1rl3rq
if someone were to dip a live electrical wire into the ocean, wouldn't everyone swimming in the ocean at that time be electrocuted?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1rl3rq/eli5_if_someone_were_to_dip_a_live_electrical/
{ "a_id": [ "cdob0co", "cdob5wo" ], "score": [ 10, 2 ], "text": [ "No. Electricity moves from one place to another place, along the path of least resistance. It doesn't spread out and electrocute everything that happens to be in the same body of water.\n\nIn the case of an electrical wir...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1mm794/when_lightning_hits_a_large_body_of_water_how_far/" ] ]
272cs2
why did we domesticate chickens for the use of eggs and not other birds?
I was just curious why we have domesticated chickens and not some other species of bird for the use of eggs? I know people eat duck eggs, quail eggs, etc. as well, but why are chickens the main source? Do they lay more eggs than other birds?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/272cs2/eli5why_did_we_domesticate_chickens_for_the_use/
{ "a_id": [ "chwpl2h", "chwplgx", "chwplli", "chwq3h5", "chwt2e2" ], "score": [ 2, 7, 2, 2, 6 ], "text": [ "We do. Duck eggs are very common in Chinese cuisine, for instance. The real stuff, though. Not the N American version. ", "Most likely because they tend ...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
10raxw
Does the "subconscious" really exist?
Also if it does "exist" could some people have "access" to it while others can not.
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/10raxw/does_the_subconscious_really_exist/
{ "a_id": [ "c6fy8er", "c6fybml", "c6fyv4y" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 24 ], "text": [ "You may be interested in this BBC Horizon program [\"Out of Control\"](_URL_0_) which explores the subject of the subconcious mind.", "Yes. In fact your 'conscious' is a relatively small percentage...
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[]
[ [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM_iiPFkNas" ], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindsight" ] ]
23xftf
Does tourettes exist in all languages and if so does it manifest itself differently in different cultures?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/23xftf/does_tourettes_exist_in_all_languages_and_if_so/
{ "a_id": [ "ch1mcii", "ch20mi2" ], "score": [ 8, 3 ], "text": [ "Verbal tourettes is just a very small part of the disorder at about 12% of the individuals who have it and of those only a small percent expel curse words. Most manifestations occur in physical repetitive motions such as ta...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://blogs.plos.org/neuroanthropology/2012/05/16/not-allowed-to-have-a-small-heart-tourette-syndrome/" ] ]
3ls0k8
How close to the Moon would you have to be before you would fall to the Moon instead of to the Earth?
For the purposes of this question, let's assume that you would start with zero initial velocity, and there is nothing blocking your path to either the Earth or the Moon. (If you would fall towards the Sun instead, then put that in the answer, but what I know of gravitation tells me that the Sun is too far away to beat...
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3ls0k8/how_close_to_the_moon_would_you_have_to_be_before/
{ "a_id": [ "cv8unr7", "cv8v5z8" ], "score": [ 9, 31 ], "text": [ "For the sake of simplicity lets assume that we're talking about two generic masses, M_1 and M_2, separated by some length R, with a small test mass, m, inbetween them, and no other masses around. What you're asking for is t...
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[ [ "http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=%283.84*10^8+sqrt%285.97*7.35*10^46%29-7.35*10^22%29%2F%285.97*10^24-7.35*10^22%29" ], [ "http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/mechanics/lagpt.html", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagrangian_point#Spaceflight_applications" ] ]
5ji039
What would it mean if we proved that P = NP, or P != NP ?
What are the implications of proving one way or another? For example, proving that P = NP would it mean that cryptography is "useless"?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/5ji039/what_would_it_mean_if_we_proved_that_p_np_or_p_np/
{ "a_id": [ "dbgf22t", "dbgi97k", "dbgirc0", "dbgjnwg", "dbgq5o7", "dbq94u9" ], "score": [ 3, 2, 8, 10, 4, 3 ], "text": [ "Well, proving N = NP would say that *all* of the problems that can be verified in polynomial time could be solved in polynomial time. F...
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[]
[ [], [ "https://youtu.be/YX40hbAHx3s" ], [ "https://arxiv.org/pdf/1108.1791v3" ], [], [], [] ]
flhzx
Why are mid-air manifestations of electricity jagged? (i.e. sparks, lightning bolts etc.)
Inspired by [this photo](_URL_0_).
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/flhzx/why_are_midair_manifestations_of_electricity/
{ "a_id": [ "c1gtlw0", "c1gu55e" ], "score": [ 9, 2 ], "text": [ "This was a really interesting question that I didn't know the answer to so I looked it up. [This Scientific American article](_URL_0_) does a pretty good job of explaining it.", "Path of least resistance?" ] }
[]
[ "http://i.imgur.com/cTFUm.jpg" ]
[ [ "http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-are-lightning-bolts-j" ], [] ]
495sni
"Photons" of different EM spectrum?
If photons are particles of light (visible light? correct me if I'm wrong), do photon equivalents of x-ray or gamma exist?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/495sni/photons_of_different_em_spectrum/
{ "a_id": [ "d0pa5y3" ], "score": [ 47 ], "text": [ "All electromagnetic waves are made of photons -- visible light, radio waves, X-rays, gamma rays, ultraviolet light, infrared light, you name it." ] }
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[ [] ]
3z1jth
why is being deaf or blind much more common than say having no taste, touch, or smell?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3z1jth/eli5_why_is_being_deaf_or_blind_much_more_common/
{ "a_id": [ "cyigzec", "cyih52y", "cyih5fb", "cyij8ie", "cyim6p9" ], "score": [ 17, 55, 13, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Because you only have two eyes and two ears whereas you have billions of touch taste and scent receptors, it would be impossible for them to all fail so th...
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[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
2js1tm
how can the un give sanctions for nuclear weapons to some countries and not to others?
It all seems so unjustifiable *on paper*. I mean... Is there a regulation stating "good countries" can handle uranium and stuff while "bad countries" can't? If there is such a regulation... what's the definition of "good country". I guess that we're far better off with the UK or France having nuclear weapons than wit...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2js1tm/eli5_how_can_the_un_give_sanctions_for_nuclear/
{ "a_id": [ "cleja7i", "clejgmk" ], "score": [ 3, 3 ], "text": [ "The nuclear nonproliferation treaty recognized the then-nuclear states as legit, and called on them to disarm to some degree (which they haven't) and tried to prevent nuclear capability from further spreading. It's called, c...
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[ [], [] ]
3fasgu
What language/script is this? Where can I have it translated?
My great-grandfather was a Russian Jew who immigrated to the US around 1910. He corresponded a few times with his father who seemed to move around between Russia and Poland. Here's a few samples of their correspondence: [Letter](_URL_1_) [Letter](_URL_2_) [envelope](_URL_0_) Any help would be greatly appreciated. I a...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3fasgu/what_languagescript_is_this_where_can_i_have_it/
{ "a_id": [ "ctng1v2", "ctmva71", "ctmzuxx", "ctn2ve3", "ctn988d" ], "score": [ 3, 30, 14, 7, 4 ], "text": [ "To supplement what has already been said by u/farquier and others, the script is [Hebrew Cursive](_URL_1_), which was used to write Yiddish before modern He...
[]
[ "http://imgur.com/xDij8c9", "http://imgur.com/rQpC0Y7", "http://imgur.com/OGOuxC0" ]
[ [ "http://www.blatner.com/adam/scriptology/1-Intro/cocacola.jpg", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cursive_Hebrew" ], [], [], [], [] ]
hrbcr
What oscillates in light?
Like for waves in the sea it's the water height, right? For sound, it's the pressure. For light, what oscillates?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/hrbcr/what_oscillates_in_light/
{ "a_id": [ "c1xp4qq", "c1xp5f0", "c1xqfp2" ], "score": [ 5, 9, 3 ], "text": [ "Light doesn't have a medium that it travels through. For a long time people thought that it did (and they called it the luminiferous aether), but experiments show that it doesn't exist.", "The thing...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
doq3ze
Medieval French translation help (again!)
Can anyone enlighten me to the meaning of the word cuyler? It’s amongst entries of an inventory of the royal treasure and these are pantry items. Here is the entry for context: R 789 xj cuylers d'argent enorrez, du poys, xxiiijs. Can these items be bowls/dishes as it’s similar to ecuelles. I’ve Googled and use bo...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/doq3ze/medieval_french_translation_help_again/
{ "a_id": [ "f5pegsr" ], "score": [ 23 ], "text": [ "Looks like an ancient french version of the actual « cuillère » (\"spoon\").\n\nSource : french and historian" ] }
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[ [] ]
6o8fgk
Who were the Desert Fathers? What was their impact on early Christianity? What happened to them and the desert monastic movement?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6o8fgk/who_were_the_desert_fathers_what_was_their_impact/
{ "a_id": [ "dkfel6k" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "The desert fathers emerge toward the end of the fourth century as Christianity transitioned from a fringe cult to an accepted community in the pantheon of faiths. While earlier Christian communities had faced persecution and martyrdom, in this n...
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[]
[ [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simeon_Stylites", "https://faculty.washington.edu/brownj9/LifeoftheProphet/The%20Rise%20of%20the%20Holy%20Man%20-%20Brown.pdf" ] ]
2cxylb
how did my plane yesterday depart late but it was able to reach the destination before it's original scheduled arrival time?
My plane the other other day left it's origin about an hour after it was originally meant to. How then did it arrive to my destination before it's original scheduled arrival? Did the pilot just put his foot down?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2cxylb/eli5how_did_my_plane_yesterday_depart_late_but_it/
{ "a_id": [ "cjk52ca", "cjk5e2d", "cjk8t6c", "cjkbsfa", "cjkdz41", "cjkgi9e", "cjklfak" ], "score": [ 24, 40, 2, 3, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ " > Did the pilot just put his foot down?\n\nYes, plus you may have encountered better than average conditions. ...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
22687x
How did Taiwan handle the massive influx of Chinese refugees following the Chinese Civil War? How did the Kuomintang "set up shop", so to speak?
I know that there has been significant Chinese presence on the island since the Qing Dynasty, but were there enough houses, farms, jobs, etc. to meet the needs of all the new migrants? Or did the Kuomintang have to build new ones really, really quickly?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/22687x/how_did_taiwan_handle_the_massive_influx_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cgjrg17" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "In the memoir of Taiwanese author [Chiung Yao](_URL_0_), she said because her father was an intellectual and easily found another professor job, her family received a Japanese style house the size of twenty [\"tatami\"](_URL_1_) from the universi...
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[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiung_Yao", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatami" ] ]
2sacag
Why did the Tlaxcalans allow Cortes to remain in Tenochtitlan/Mexico?
I read this the other day on badhistory: _URL_0_ It basically stated that the Tlaxcalans manipulated Cortes to bring down their enemies, including the Cholulans and Aztecs. After they were victorious, why didn't they take all of the spoils? Why did they share their gains with a few hundred Spaniards?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2sacag/why_did_the_tlaxcalans_allow_cortes_to_remain_in/
{ "a_id": [ "cno8pk5", "cnoe9gn" ], "score": [ 2, 21 ], "text": [ "If I may add a tangent to this question - what rewards did the Tlaxcalans receive from the Spanish after the Aztecs were defeated? ", "There's two big misconceptions that are commonly held about post-Conquest Mexico: t...
[]
[ "http://www.reddit.com/r/badhistory/comments/2qjnyo/should_it_mexico_accept_the_historical_record/" ]
[ [], [ "http://www.historicas.unam.mx/publicaciones/publicadigital/monarquia/volumen/04/mi_4/02Libro%20Undecimo/miv4025.pdf", "http://www.gutenberg.org/files/32474/32474-h/32474-h.htm#CHAPTER_CXXIX", "http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/25y5j0/what_was_daily_life_like_for_the_indigenous/chmc...
22uwym
moving matter from a neutron star
I've seen on various places that a thimbleful of matter from a neutron star would weigh something ridiculous. But I always wondered does it only stay that compressed due to the gravity of the star? What would happen to that thimbleful once it was say brought to Earth? Would it still occupy the same amount of space? I s...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/22uwym/eli5_moving_matter_from_a_neutron_star/
{ "a_id": [ "cgqmbup" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "If you were to bring a chunk of neutron star matter to the Earth, it would expand. Before I can explain this I have to explain what's actually going on in a neutron star. \nWhen a star 'dies' it collapses in on itself and blows off its outer lay...
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[ [] ]
ddjj4o
we see ordinary city pigeons in most major cities, but never in between (e.g., chicago and denver but not in north dakota). how do they get there?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ddjj4o/elif_we_see_ordinary_city_pigeons_in_most_major/
{ "a_id": [ "f2ijl06" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "1. Pigeons and doves are the same thing. People tend to call them pigeons in cities and doves in the country. They are common in cities and in rural areas. North Dakota has seven types of pigeons/doves.\n\n2. City pigeons are often domesticated p...
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[ [] ]
54zjxf
it is said that there are more possible games of chess than there are atoms in the observable universe. how is something like this calculated?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/54zjxf/eli5_it_is_said_that_there_are_more_possible/
{ "a_id": [ "d86ckph" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "I don't think there is an easy way to calculate the exact number of games. One can estimate though and get a ballpark figure. Claude Shannon, father of information theory, was the first one to publish his ballpark estimate. It is based on the ass...
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[ [] ]
2gtxy8
since a country can print its own currency indefinitely, why can't the us for example just arbitrarily pay off all its debt that way?
Even if it's adding a ton of money into the international economy, as long as the money doesn't influence the United States' own economy, does that still devalue the dollar?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2gtxy8/eli5_since_a_country_can_print_its_own_currency/
{ "a_id": [ "ckmhj9n", "ckmhkyb", "ckmio2h" ], "score": [ 6, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "Yes. The more money in circulation, the less it's really worth, period.", "Printing more money makes the money worth less, i.e. inflation.", "Let's imagine \"Purchasing Power\" as a cake. Lets i...
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[ [], [], [] ]
30mue4
How did Egypt become so thoroughly Arabised?
To the degree that the local culture was completely replaced by Arabic? Also, I've heard the claim that Arabia was overpopulated significantly in the 7th century, is this true and how significant was it as a factor in the Arabasation of the Fertile Crescent and the Maghreb?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/30mue4/how_did_egypt_become_so_thoroughly_arabised/
{ "a_id": [ "cptwkdp" ], "score": [ 19 ], "text": [ "Egypt was under the control of the Arabs directly for six consecutive centuries, and then under the control of people who likely used Arabic for government functions due to the varied origins of the Mamluks themselves. So, in short, for almost a...
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[ [] ]
70nven
Has the U.S. Military ever conducted assassinations of foreign leaders in the past?
In the past the CIA conducted numerous assassinations of foreign leaders, has the U.S. Military ever conducted at least one such assassination in the past?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/70nven/has_the_us_military_ever_conducted_assassinations/
{ "a_id": [ "dn5fc3c" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Going off that, of the assassinations done by either CIA or military was it widely known who did it or did people think it was different countries? " ] }
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[ [] ]
3l32wn
terryology.
Can someone explain what Terrance Howard means in his explanation of terryology? Does he have any basis for his hypothesis or is it all just randomness? Link of Rolling Stones article: [link](_URL_0_)
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3l32wn/eli5_terryology/
{ "a_id": [ "cv3yiul" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "He's just mixing up multiplication and addition. He thinks 1 X 1 is the equivalent of holding up one index finger for each hand and seeing 2 fingers. He also said everyone thinks √4 is 2, so √2 must be 1, but it's not *because we're told it's 2...
[]
[ "http://mashable.com/2015/09/14/terrence-howard-one-times-one/#uDkUOjBnvZk_" ]
[ [] ]
1h9pxq
what is the difference between a bison and a buffalo?
i always throught it was one animal.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1h9pxq/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_a_bison_and_a/
{ "a_id": [ "cas7w26", "cas7w73", "cas8s0l" ], "score": [ 2, 10, 6 ], "text": [ "Basically \n1. The bison are native to North America and Europe.\n2. The buffalo is native to Africa and Asia. African buffaloes are wild animals while Asian buffaloes are mostly domesticated.\n3. Biso...
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[ [ "http://imgur.com/tATgXoA" ], [], [] ]
a0f116
how to best describe/explain ionization energy and electron affinity?
I have a science test tomorrow about ionization energy and electron affinity (more specifically surrounding Sodium Chloride) and I have absolutely no clue how to explain these concepts. I understand them broadly speaking, but I feel like my science teacher won't take vague explanations as an answer on a unit final. Ca...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a0f116/eli5_how_to_best_describeexplain_ionization/
{ "a_id": [ "eah8jf5" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Ionization energy is the amount of energy that must go into an atom to remove an electron. As you remove more electrons, the amount of energy required becomes larger and larger because of the effective nuclear charge. This pulls the electrons clo...
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[ [] ]
55gczv
What happened to the Rockefellers fortune?
Today the Rockefellers as a collective own as much as 10 billion. Thats is a large chunk of money, but John D Rockefeller's net worth was valued at 336 billion adjusted for inflation. Now typically wealth creates more wealth. So how did this historical figure go from being so ungodly rich with the most powerful company...
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/55gczv/what_happened_to_the_rockefellers_fortune/
{ "a_id": [ "d8au75i", "d8b42ar" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "This is a complicated question because when people see that the brothers had such a large sum they automatically assume the same thing you did. That wealth typically creates more wealth. The trouble is no one takes into acco...
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[ [], [] ]
9okjl4
what would happen if a massive planet came very close to earth, as in, would our gravity change?
Also, if we jumped, while on earth, would we be in the air longer because the other planet also had gravity pulling us up?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9okjl4/eli5_what_would_happen_if_a_massive_planet_came/
{ "a_id": [ "e7uro4o", "e7uwi2c", "e7uyb1y" ], "score": [ 9, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "The planets would disrupt each others orbit, draw each other closer together and then shoot apart again, over and over and over like this for years as gravity ripped chunks off of each with every pass,...
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[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.quora.com/If-Earth-passed-within-Jupiters-Roche-limit-could-we-expect-to-find-recognizable-objects-like-cars-floating-in-the-new-rings", "https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=gravitational+force+between+1.9e27kg+and+100kg+at+403000+km" ] ]
5babn8
which one is more environmental friendly - eating with a disposable plate and cutlery to save water; or eating with normal plate and wash them with water and soap?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5babn8/eli5_which_one_is_more_environmental_friendly/
{ "a_id": [ "d9mxs5w", "d9mzrmf", "d9mzucu", "d9mzzav", "d9n0r3h", "d9n127n", "d9n19e7", "d9n1ssv" ], "score": [ 47, 113, 80, 18, 2, 8, 4, 8 ], "text": [ "Trick question. Eating with compostable dinnerware and silver ware is best.\n\nPlastic ...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq7L9-0XdVw" ], [] ]
73hcgu
why do animals in a particular ecological niche often look so similar even if they are completely unrelated?
For example why do birds and the now extinct flying reptiles share such strong similarities as far as appearances go? Why did marine reptiles look like either fish or whales?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/73hcgu/eli5_why_do_animals_in_a_particular_ecological/
{ "a_id": [ "dnqaqbh", "dnqxia8" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "This is a concept called \"convergent evolution.\" Basically, if the pressures on one creature were such that flight was advantageous to survival in a particular environment, those same pressures could easily select for si...
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[ [], [] ]
fgkgaf
non-native speaker here, why is "biannually" considered to be twice a year, but "biweekly" only once every two weeks instead of two times per week?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/fgkgaf/eli5_nonnative_speaker_here_why_is_biannually/
{ "a_id": [ "fk53ekr" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "\"Biweekly\" can refer to either twice a week or two times a week. The same for \"bimonthly\" (i.e. once a month or two times a month).\n\nThe issue stems from the prefix *\"bi-\"*, which is inherently ambiguous in that it can mean either **occur...
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[ [] ]
4ntosg
why are people/businesses moving to the south and not detroit?
As we all know the the city of Detroit has gone through a lot of problems in the last few decades, but now the city is on a big upswing and things are looking bright. My question however is, why are movie studios, large corporations and people in general moving to southern states? The land is super cheap down south, ...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ntosg/eli5_why_are_peoplebusinesses_moving_to_the_south/
{ "a_id": [ "d46va6o", "d46vln9" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "A lot fewer unions in the south is a big part. Also rules and regulations setup over decades that are unfriendly to new business in Detroit.", "Another thing that hasn't been said is weather: people don't like winter and...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
8ivlfa
Would a helium filled balloon float on Mars?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8ivlfa/would_a_helium_filled_balloon_float_on_mars/
{ "a_id": [ "dyvm332", "dyvsp31" ], "score": [ 10, 3 ], "text": [ "You can solve this with the ideal gas law, pV = nRT. Pressure x Volume = #molecules x ideal-gas-contant x temperature. \n\n\nMars' atmosphere is made of carbon dioxide, which has a molar mass of 44g/mol. Air, which is basic...
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[]
[ [], [ "https://www.nasa.gov/scientific-balloons/types-of-balloons", "http://mathscinotes.com/2012/10/earth-altitude-with-equivalent-pressure-to-mars/" ] ]
3jruq8
Japan and the UK were allies in WW1. What happened to this alliance post WW1 and pre WW2?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3jruq8/japan_and_the_uk_were_allies_in_ww1_what_happened/
{ "a_id": [ "curw7j9" ], "score": [ 30 ], "text": [ "Japan's entry into the First World War was a highly measured response. Japan acted against German interests in the Pacific, most notably invading the German concession at Tsingtao. Japan did not put its economy on a wartime footing and only afte...
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[ [] ]
bidy74
how do glute muscles become weak?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bidy74/eli5_how_do_glute_muscles_become_weak/
{ "a_id": [ "elzx9bb" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "The same way any other muscle gets weaker. Over time and extended periods of low use, they deteriorate and lose mass." ] }
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[ [] ]
216qhy
why is fertilizer the primary ingredient in many homemade bombs?
How does it work?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/216qhy/eli5_why_is_fertilizer_the_primary_ingredient_in/
{ "a_id": [ "cga4uhi" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "It's the nitrogen//nitrogen-based chemicals in the fertilizer. The nitrogen stuff is great for growing crops... but it's also good for explosives.\n\nYou can search for \"nitrogen explosive compounds\", but read here this one example of why:\n\n_...
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[]
[ [ "http://ask.metafilter.com/6301/Why-is-nitrogen-part-of-so-many-explosives" ] ]
c91rpz
how is it that someone (like myself) is allergic to almost every antibiotic? what makes the body hate them so much?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/c91rpz/eli5_how_is_it_that_someone_like_myself_is/
{ "a_id": [ "ess22j4" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Essentially an allergy is an immune response to a foreign substance. \n\nFor you, the antibiotics has 'proteins' antigens which trigger the white cells of you immune system to attack them. This appears as massive inflammation due to degranulation...
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[ [] ]
gljcj
Is cancer a preventable disease?
More precisely, can one significantly lower chances of getting cancer through certain lifestyle changes? If so, what might those changes be?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/gljcj/is_cancer_a_preventable_disease/
{ "a_id": [ "c1ofek5", "c1offkt", "c1og6dw" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 8 ], "text": [ "Yes. Nutrition plays a big role. For instance, [selenium prevents prostate cancer](_URL_0_).\n\n[Here's a book](_URL_1_)", "Sometimes yes, sometimes no.\n\nI mean, the obvious: don't smoke anything ...
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[]
[ [ "http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1464-410x.1998.00630.x/full", "http://www.amazon.ca/Foods-That-Fight-Cancer-Preventing/dp/0771011350" ], [], [] ]
2aryiq
What is the maximum rate of rainfall possible?
I know it depends on how big of an area it is raining in, but what would the theoretical limit of rainfall rate be for a set area like a 1 mile by 1 mile? Are clouds even capable of holding enough water to "max out" the space available for water to fall or would it be beyond their capability?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2aryiq/what_is_the_maximum_rate_of_rainfall_possible/
{ "a_id": [ "ciyb786", "ciybavq", "ciybr0h", "ciybsth", "ciybve7", "ciyd31e", "ciydabu", "ciydt5a", "ciyk2u3", "ciyl8zp", "ciymqre", "ciyzc17" ], "score": [ 10, 231, 15, 1279, 14, 5, 156, 13, 6, 11, 6, 6 ], "text":...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://www.appliedweatherassociates.com/uploads/1/3/8/1/13810758/ne-region-asdso-smethport-reanalysis.pdf" ], [], [], [ "http://icons.wxug.com/hurricane/chrisburt/usarain.jpg", "http://www.wunderground.com/blog/weatherhistorian/what-is-the-most-rain-to-ever-fall-in-one-minute-or-one-hou...
9b0ii6
Do the Strong and Weak Forces have a field like Gravitation and EM?
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/9b0ii6/do_the_strong_and_weak_forces_have_a_field_like/
{ "a_id": [ "e4zh7w2", "e4zhuxl" ], "score": [ 15, 3 ], "text": [ "Yes, but unlike gravity and EM, their fields have very short interaction lengths. They are mediated by W+-/Z bosons and gluons, respectively. ", "The strong force has 8 gauge fields (the gluon fields). The weak force ha...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
1p4kfg
What are some lesser known epidemics of the past?
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1p4kfg/what_are_some_lesser_known_epidemics_of_the_past/
{ "a_id": [ "ccypg6r", "ccyqi4n", "ccyu9r0" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "The bubonic epidemic no one ever hears about: [The Plague of Justinian](_URL_0_). \n\nIt is estimated to have killed over twenty-five million people, only 25% of the casualties caused by the Black Deat...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plague_of_Justinian" ], [ "http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/crux/2013/08/01/climate-not-spaniards-brought-diseases-that-killed-aztecs/#.UmlMpxBmQdU", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hantavirus", "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2730237/" ], [ "h...
43xvog
why can you only know an electron's position if you give up on knowing its momentum and vice versa?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/43xvog/eli5_why_can_you_only_know_an_electrons_position/
{ "a_id": [ "czlvlww", "czlvmkz", "czm0ag8" ], "score": [ 3, 9, 3 ], "text": [ "Imagine you wanted to take a detailed and clear photo of a mosquito buzzing around your room. You'd have to zoom in really close to get such a picture. Imagine then that you've zoomed in far enough so a...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2UEe1TisJCU/TO0w2l0YGSI/AAAAAAAAAEY/DYeTh8Ap3wQ/s1600/Tennis%2BBall%2BFalling.jpg", "http://www.wallcoo.net/sport/ball/images/%5Bwallcoo.com%5D_EL128.jpg" ] ]
omav3
Are thoughts physical objects?
I know it's a strange question, but I have a hard time thinking about it. How do we see and hear thoughts, are thoughts three-dimensional? Thank you very much for the enlightening responses, they help tremendously. For anyone else interested, this might set you on the correct path- _URL_0_ . If somebody has a more le...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/omav3/are_thoughts_physical_objects/
{ "a_id": [ "c3idg0j", "c3idvr8", "c3idyy1" ], "score": [ 4, 5, 2 ], "text": [ "Thoughts are to your brain like Walking is to your legs.\n\nThoughts are an emergent property of brain activity, just like walking is what happens when you legs work.\n\nYour brain is a physical thing, ...
[]
[ "http://www.edeycaldwell.com/thoughts-are-physical-things/" ]
[ [], [], [] ]
3fzshs
why on mobile devices can i find nothing except live and cover songs on youtube?
Gunna throw my fuckin phone shortly. Even went to desktop version, found the song, switched back to mobile, video not available. Losing it here.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3fzshs/eli5_why_on_mobile_devices_can_i_find_nothing/
{ "a_id": [ "ctthnmc" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Youtube checks the user-agent header and blocks certain videos from appearing on mobile. Music videos seem to be a popular choice for such filtering. I don't know why it's done, but you can get around it.\n\nYou need to change your user agent hea...
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[]
[ [] ]
1py4v4
why is the distribution of elements on earth not uniform?
Its one of these questions I'm embarrassed I don't have an answer to by now. I tried googling for it and couldn't find an answer. My logic is that seeing how the heavier elements are created from supernova explosions, I'd expect them to be scatted uniformly over the Earth, or at least uniformly over the outer layer. I...
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1py4v4/why_is_the_distribution_of_elements_on_earth_not/
{ "a_id": [ "cd79ebk", "cd79l41", "cd79px2", "cd7blmb", "cd7fb9n" ], "score": [ 2, 20, 3, 2, 6 ], "text": [ "there is difference between coal and minerals. coal is now there, where were many trees/plants.\n\nminerals were \"pushed\" near surface by few things (like ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europium_anomaly" ], [], [], [] ]
et2i2j
when smoking, why does your throat hurt only when you breathe in air?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/et2i2j/eli5_when_smoking_why_does_your_throat_hurt_only/
{ "a_id": [ "ffdqrt5" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "You're breathing in hot air and chemicals that get absorbed by your lungs and cooled down by the time they're breathed out.\n\nYou should probably look into quitting it's super unhealthy :)." ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
d9vt3n
Why can Phosphate have five bonds? (More than an octet)
I was confused about PCl5 then I realized that phosphate can make five bonds with the chloride. I have looked this up on google and is still confused about it. Someone else explained it had something to do with hybridizations? Thank you
askscience
https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/d9vt3n/why_can_phosphate_have_five_bonds_more_than_an/
{ "a_id": [ "f1ohate" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "First off, I want to say that d-orbitals are not involved in the bonding of hypervalent main group compounds like PCl5. The central atoms in molecules like PCl5, SF6, etc. still obey the octet rule. Many introductory resources claim otherwise, bu...
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[ [] ]
81powv
The New Testament largely covers the final three years of Jesus's life; is there any more known about the first 30 years of his life?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/81powv/the_new_testament_largely_covers_the_final_three/
{ "a_id": [ "dv4anl3" ], "score": [ 15 ], "text": [ "The simple answer is no.\n\nApocryphal sources exist but are universally pretty late. Even the length of Jesus' ministry isn't exactly known. We assume it was a three year ministry because of the Gospel of John, but the interesting point there i...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
3qwcl2
how wind can push my car sideways when my wheels are pointed straight forward?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3qwcl2/eli5_how_wind_can_push_my_car_sideways_when_my/
{ "a_id": [ "cwiw3n0" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Eh? When does your car move sideways?" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
avy48o
why is it that there are plenty of tropical small islands throughout the pacific (guam, us virgin islands, etc) but there are hardly such islands in the atlantic ocean?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/avy48o/eli5_why_is_it_that_there_are_plenty_of_tropical/
{ "a_id": [ "ehim7yg", "ehimsjr", "ehipobp", "ehixdtp" ], "score": [ 44, 10, 9, 2 ], "text": [ "The pacific ocean is a hotbed for volcanic activity. Under water volcano explodes, creates an island, plants and animals move in. Pretty neat", "There are a few volcanic hots...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
5wx6g9
how do night contacts work?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5wx6g9/eli5_how_do_night_contacts_work/
{ "a_id": [ "dedhpxe" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "My understanding is they reshape the eye. The degree of how concave or convex the lens of the eye causes near sightedness or far sightedness. Sleep contacts temporarily shape your eyes back to neutral. " ] }
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[ [] ]
thjts
based off of this photo that keeps going around reddit what would actually happen to the moon and this person.
_URL_0_
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/thjts/based_off_of_this_photo_that_keeps_going_around/
{ "a_id": [ "c4mns6w" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Alot of shrapnel, if not that then the lack of oxygen after a couple of days." ] }
[]
[ "http://i.imgur.com/WRoIL.jpg" ]
[ [] ]
1xzirz
The lack of a strong socialist party in the US linked to the absence of feudalism?
I've been reading various articles and a book by Lipset for the complete lack or a weak presence of a social democratic or socialist party in the United States. Hartz contends that the lack of a feudal tradition is one reason for the lack of a strong left-wing party in the United States; men were relatively 'equal' and...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1xzirz/the_lack_of_a_strong_socialist_party_in_the_us/
{ "a_id": [ "cfg48ce", "cfhex0e" ], "score": [ 26, 6 ], "text": [ "I think the contention that feudalism was a heavy contributor to socialism is a pretty weak one. What is Lipset's evidence for that assertion? I think the rise of socialism is a heck of a lot more complex than \"the struggl...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
21qt5m
why do we still take test and learn the same as how people did in the whole of history when technology has advanced so far?
Technology has advanced to the point memorizing some things has become redundant. Is there no better way?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/21qt5m/eli5_why_do_we_still_take_test_and_learn_the_same/
{ "a_id": [ "cgfmaji" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "Learning has advanced a great deal since formal education began. There are some things that have become redundant, and some things may seem useless. For instance, why bother learning that there are 4 quarts in a gallon when I can just look it up?...
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[ [] ]
3hv6j3
why is norway so horrendously expensive?
I just don't understand why everything in this country is so expensive - more than any place I have ever visited and I have done some international traveling. It's not like the country is in the middle of nowhere and has to import everything, they have oil reserves and great income from tourism. I was just riding the t...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3hv6j3/eli5_why_is_norway_so_horrendously_expensive/
{ "a_id": [ "cuatg31", "cuatiws" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "It is difficult to transport anything to Norway because the land is very difficult to traverse and the sea can be incredibly rough. However though it does have large income from oil it also has an extremely generous social w...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
b3u5x9
Prior to the rise of Ataturk, what made someone in the Ottoman Empire a “Turk”?
Ataturk himself was born in modern day Greece, yet he identifies as a Turk. What was a Turk in the Ottoman Empire? What culture binded them together? And did they feel as if the Ottomans failed them too as the other groups under the Ottomans did?
AskHistorians
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/b3u5x9/prior_to_the_rise_of_ataturk_what_made_someone_in/
{ "a_id": [ "ej2j3q3" ], "score": [ 8 ], "text": [ "Short answer: ethnicity and language (both in place well before the 19th century), plus some negative experiences with other nationalities (mostly in the 19th-20th centuries, triggering the rise of Turkish nationalism.) When you read the memoirs ...
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[ [] ]
x3vdo
I hoped this isn't looked down upon in this subreddit, but I think that it's inevitable. Either way, I'm curious. How accurate are the age of empire games?
I assume that some of the 30,000 of you have played it, and I know that the game is hugely based on history, but are they entirely accurate? Do you think they did a good job? When I ask this, I want to include all 3 of the games into consideration. I don't know much about it, but I really like what they did in the th...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/x3vdo/i_hoped_this_isnt_looked_down_upon_in_this/
{ "a_id": [ "c5iy8y5", "c5j3fw3", "c5j6kcj", "c5j6kom", "c5j8621" ], "score": [ 12, 7, 3, 3, 5 ], "text": [ "Off the top of my head:\n\nAge of Empires 3 is completely made up.\n\n* Specifically, there were no Ottomans in the New World and no Russians except on the P...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gavin_Menzies", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Malta_%281565%29", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sepoy_Rebellion", "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Acre_%281189%E2%80%931191%29" ], [], [], [], [] ]
7m9evl
if trees initially were non-biodegradable, and a fungus adapted to degrade them could the same be done for plastic?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7m9evl/eli5_if_trees_initially_were_nonbiodegradable_and/
{ "a_id": [ "drs9y00", "drs9yi5", "drsa3nh" ], "score": [ 3, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "Sure and we are working on it. But its a slow process and we are producing literally thousands of tonnes of plastic every day. \n\nRecycle.", "Yes! Exactly this is being done, and micro-organisms ha...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/7lbulh/til_for_the_first_40_million_years_that_woody/drl2t2h/" ] ]
1g9n08
what is software and how does it all work?
Ashamed to say this - but totally clueless - how does software work? For that matter hardware too. So guess my question is all about computing? I hear these terms - application, server, middleware. How do they all work together? When I read something like - "x application was built on top of y server" - what does that ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1g9n08/eli5what_is_software_and_how_does_it_all_work/
{ "a_id": [ "cai3gyu", "cai649r" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "That's a **very** broad question, so rather than go into detail, I'll just give some very high-level answers, and you can ask for clarification as needed.\n\n > how does software work?\n\nSoftware is simply a set of instruct...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
1u2p2s
why do different regions of usa sell varying octanes of gas? i can buy 85 octane in idaho, but can't find anything less than 87 in arizona.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1u2p2s/eli5_why_do_different_regions_of_usa_sell_varying/
{ "a_id": [ "cedx6c9" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Elevation.\n\n\"Octane\" is a description of how much compression the fuel can be put under before it spontaneously ignites. The higher the octane number, the more pressure the fuel can take before it just ignites. An engine wants to take the fue...
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[]
[ [] ]
tat36
what causes laziness? is it a physical condition?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/tat36/eli5_what_causes_laziness_is_it_a_physical/
{ "a_id": [ "c4l0zib", "c4l1880", "c4l1dk9", "c4l1k55", "c4l1rwr", "c4l1wba", "c4l321l", "c4l32ob", "c4l3ent", "c4l3h23", "c4l4pva", "c4l593p", "c4l5chj" ], "score": [ 16, 8, 616, 15, 10, 5, 14, 8, 2, 3, 3, 2, ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://www.livescience.com/20026-brain-dopamine-worker-slacker.html" ], [], [ "http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/addicted-scientists-show-how-internet-dependency-alters-the-human-brain-6288344.html" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
214xta
What was the basis of the Nazi war machine? How did the managed economy of the Nazis work?
I was reading [about cash and carry](_URL_0_), which stated that the Germans had no funds for their war effort. I further understand that the Nazis had a managed economy. Why was the German managed economy more successful than the USSR's managed economy of the 1970s and 80s? How did the Germans keep up in research, ...
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/214xta/what_was_the_basis_of_the_nazi_war_machine_how/
{ "a_id": [ "cg9p4kk" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "The Nazis did not nationalize all off industry; now they forced Jews to sell their businesses for peanuts to non-Jewish owners, under the policy of Aryanization/Arisierung - that was in 1938.\n\nHowever they placed limited on what owners could do...
[]
[ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cash_and_carry_\\(World_War_II\\)" ]
[ [ "http://www-wiwi.uni-regensburg.de/images/institute/angegliedert/goemmel/Deutsche_Wirtschaft_und_Wirtschaftspolitik_1914-1945-komplette_Vorlesung.pdf" ] ]
1i628l
how to talk to children
Usually ages 5-12
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1i628l/eli5_how_to_talk_to_children/
{ "a_id": [ "cb1c6g6", "cb1ct3q", "cb1ctfz", "cb1huz7", "cb1k8jn" ], "score": [ 9, 15, 8, 5, 3 ], "text": [ "Use simple words, but otherwise talk to them the same way you'd talk to a regular person. If they don't understand, they'll let you know - they're kids.\n\nA...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
apsr8l
did thousands of people die trying 'food' that we now know is poisonous?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/apsr8l/eli5_did_thousands_of_people_die_trying_food_that/
{ "a_id": [ "egaumyy", "egax0k6" ], "score": [ 8, 2 ], "text": [ "Probably. And more than a few avoided food that we know is fine. Many people in Europe in the 1400s thought fruit was slightly poisonous and shouldn't be given to young children. Many people used to think tomatoes were toxic...
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[ [], [] ]
phqs3
When people say some metals are "better" at conducting electricity what does this mean, do they conduct faster or more efficiently?
Also what effect does this have on a normal circuit, I.E. if you replaced a house's copper wiring with silver wiring? Thanks for your time! Edit: upvotes for all thanks guys!! :)
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/phqs3/when_people_say_some_metals_are_better_at/
{ "a_id": [ "c3plk6r" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Both. The conductivity of a material is the constant that relates the current per unit area to the applied electric field. σ = J/E. So using a more conductive material you could design a circuit that moves the same amount of current using a wea...
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[]
[ [] ]
1f6i12
3g/4g.
Basically, how does 3G/4G work? Is there just a magical satellite? I don't understand and wikipedia hurts my brain so...Really, please actually explain it like you would to a 5 year old.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1f6i12/eli5_3g4g/
{ "a_id": [ "ca7aelp", "ca7cch6", "ca7d321", "ca7d44g", "ca7kton" ], "score": [ 20, 10, 768, 13, 2 ], "text": [ "Awesome question!\n\nBasically, telecom companies install cell towers, which allow you to connect your phone with a wireless connection. Similar how you ...
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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [ "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il4swGfTOSM" ] ]
fjz4f
Does "smell" expand at different rate, due to surrounding temperature?
askscience
http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/fjz4f/does_smell_expand_at_different_rate_due_to/
{ "a_id": [ "c1gkab5" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Absolutely. When you smell something, molecules from whatever source you're smelling are in your nose. But they had get there from the source - they had move. As it happens, temperature is actually a measure of molecular motion; when things get h...
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[ [] ]
2ejkw8
Why did American snipers in World War 2 were given the Springfield 1903 when the M1 Garand uses the same type of ammunition and is Semi-Automatic?
Why did American snipers in World War 2 given the Springfield 1903 when the M1 Garand uses the type of ammunition and is Semi-Automatic? EDIT: a word
AskHistorians
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2ejkw8/why_did_american_snipers_in_world_war_2_were/
{ "a_id": [ "ck0ajjb", "ck0m7qe", "ck0yvbb" ], "score": [ 45, 9, 2 ], "text": [ "Short answer. Because that's what they had on hand. \n\nShort answer number 2. Because nobody had bothered developing the M1 as a sniper platform until late in the war.\n\nLong answer. Well, nobody w...
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[]
[ [], [ "http://www.nramuseum.org/media/940657/sniper%20garands.pdf" ], [] ]
4bbtwe
why are asians buying real estate all over the world, causing a housing crisis in various cities?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4bbtwe/eli5_why_are_asians_buying_real_estate_all_over/
{ "a_id": [ "d17pqb0", "d17pwri", "d17qhj4", "d17skfx", "d17syvu", "d17uel6", "d17uqxh", "d17utlo", "d17v3x3", "d17v4nu", "d17vdws", "d17ve5s", "d17vfll" ], "score": [ 38, 24, 1219, 12, 5, 3, 11, 37, 2, 3, 6, 2, ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "question.it", "safety.in" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
1kt2rm
why can we tell an airplane is pitched up when looking straight down the aisle.
I know it probably has to do with our sense of balance, but its weird that you can tell even when you cant see out a window.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1kt2rm/eli5_why_can_we_tell_an_airplane_is_pitched_up/
{ "a_id": [ "cbsat1n", "cbsawru" ], "score": [ 8, 3 ], "text": [ "Cause of your ears. Your ears have, on the inside of your skull, structures in them that are filled with fluid. The insides of these structures are lined with little sensory nerves that \"tell you\" where the fluid is. Since...
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[ [], [] ]