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4jr6ty
why was nafta so supported in the beginning but ended up failing as a policy
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4jr6ty/eli5_why_was_nafta_so_supported_in_the_beginning/
{ "a_id": [ "d38u0u9", "d38ulpn" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "What do you mean by \"failed\"? The goal was to increase trade among Mexico, the US and Canada and it has succeeded in those goals.", "So, let's start out by explaining what NAFTA is. This is the so-called 'North Americ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
54oui7
if the goal of an experiment is to be unbiased, why even form a hypothesis in certain studies?
For example, correlational studies just look at the data and tell it like it is. I don't see the point in saying what "might be" from a purely scientific standpoint. EDIT: SOLVED
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/54oui7/eli5_if_the_goal_of_an_experiment_is_to_be/
{ "a_id": [ "d83pvhn", "d83pxfb", "d83pxfg", "d83pyq6" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 3, 4 ], "text": [ "One of the points of good experimental design (not to mention good statistical methods) is to filter out those effects. It's one of the reasons why \"Double-blind\" studies are the...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
cwtc6v
why can't we generate electricity by positioning magnets around turbines?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cwtc6v/eli5_why_cant_we_generate_electricity_by/
{ "a_id": [ "eyesimv", "eyet5eg" ], "score": [ 3, 2 ], "text": [ "That is how we generate electricity.\n\nUse something to spin a turbine, use the turbine output to spin some magnets.", "Something has to drive the turbines though.\nWhat kind of turbine are you thinking about?\nYou don'...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
61yqd6
how do zipline and cablecar wires get laid out long distances?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/61yqd6/eli5_how_do_zipline_and_cablecar_wires_get_laid/
{ "a_id": [ "dfib5c1" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "If you can get one line across the gap, you can use that to pull across larger and larger lines until you have the final cable in place. \n\nIn the case of cable cars, it's simpler because it has pylons with known distances between them, and ther...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
68v8y4
why can a company ship me a package from sweden to us for free, but if i try to ship it back to their address it costs me $100?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/68v8y4/eli5_why_can_a_company_ship_me_a_package_from/
{ "a_id": [ "dh1jgpf", "dh1jgx2" ], "score": [ 4, 3 ], "text": [ "Nothing is \"free\". The cost is covered by you. You've paid shipping, it's simply buried in the cost of the goods you purchased.", "So two things. The company pays for the shipping, they're just including it as part of ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
3snwge
why can't task manager instantly stop a process?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3snwge/eli5why_cant_task_manager_instantly_stop_a_process/
{ "a_id": [ "cwyw0bu", "cwyw26w" ], "score": [ 7, 3 ], "text": [ "It's always best if you can give tasks a chance to quit nicely. A task might be in the middle of writing data to disk, for example. If you can give a task a bit of warning that it's being killed, the task might have the chan...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
4oonx7
how bedsores develop
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4oonx7/eli5_how_bedsores_develop/
{ "a_id": [ "d4ee35r" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "They typically occur on areas where soft tissue lie over bones. When the person is immobile, the prolonged pressure between the chair and the bone causes the blood flow in the soft tissue to be decreased which leads to tissue death (necrosis). Al...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4txeuc
elon musk's 'master plans'
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4txeuc/eli5_elon_musks_master_plans/
{ "a_id": [ "d5l24mq" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "As a company that have a goal to eliminate our demands for fossil fuel it opens them up for critique when they are doing things that seams contradictory to their primary goal. For instance Tesla started making race cars and then luxury sedans, ne...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5g8sys
if you get a blood transfusion and your blood is found at the scene of a crime and tested, how does it effect the results?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5g8sys/eli5_if_you_get_a_blood_transfusion_and_your/
{ "a_id": [ "daqk8ji" ], "score": [ 36 ], "text": [ "As others have said, red blood cells have no DNA. Rather, it's other cells, such as white blood cells, that are present in blood and are the source of DNA evidence in \"blood\". \n\nWhat you may not know is that when you donate blood (or receive...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
1tuueh
what happens when you raise a number to the power of i (the imaginary number)?
so if i^2 = -1, what happens when you raise a number to that power, and why? for example: euler's identity e^i*pi + 1 = 0. e^pi + 1 makes sense but what does e^i really *do*. any number, n, real or imaginary, raised to the i returns a number on my calculator. **2^i** = 0.7692389014 + 0.638961763i 3^i = 0.4548324228 ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1tuueh/eli5_what_happens_when_you_raise_a_number_to_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cebsmay" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "I thought this was explain it like I'm 5, not explain it like I'm in my fifth year of graduate school... " ] }
[]
[ "http://www.reddit.com/r/learnmath/comments/1tuq9y/what_does_it_mean_to_raise_a_number_to_the_power/" ]
[ [] ]
6k0hgb
why is it okay for actors to impersonate police officers when filming in public locations? are there special laws that govern filming?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6k0hgb/eli5_why_is_it_okay_for_actors_to_impersonate/
{ "a_id": [ "djibr3r", "djibrvg", "djibsb8", "djiclol", "djigs1s" ], "score": [ 5, 3, 12, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It's not like there is just the one actor and a hidden camera. \n\nThere is generally a full crew sound/light/camera crews, the director and all that jazz. T...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/02411.htm" ], [] ]
1jf6fp
the reason for supermarket membership card and coupon
Supermarket such as Pathmark, Albertson, Shoprite, etc, have membership cards that is free to get, unlike Costco, BJ, and Sam’s Club. With these membership cards, you can buy some of the products at a lower price, the sales are for members only. But if the membership card is free, everyone can get one at the cashier...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1jf6fp/eli5_the_reason_for_supermarket_membership_card/
{ "a_id": [ "cbe1fxv", "cbe2fxk" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "1. Loyalty. As in \"I have a card in this store, I might save some money, so lets go back there to get groceries\"\n\n2. Purchase tracking. The store can tell exactly what you bought in the last 6 months. They can deduce mar...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
9ze0ci
how does general anxiety disorder actually work, and why is it thought to occur? is it "all mental" or chemical?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9ze0ci/eli5_how_does_general_anxiety_disorder_actually/
{ "a_id": [ "ea8dbva" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "there is no difference between mental and chemical. there is no difference between physical illness and mental illness, they all take place in this physical world made of chemicals.\n\n & #x200B;\n\nas to how it works: we don't exactly know. we ...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
jaz1x
why do so many people think prostitution is bad?
Bonus: How would you explain prostitution to a five-year-old?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/jaz1x/eli5_why_do_so_many_people_think_prostitution_is/
{ "a_id": [ "c2alsds", "c2alu5v", "c2alx1u", "c2alzy4", "c2amcpt", "c2amrko", "c2an8h8", "c2aumur", "c2alsds", "c2alu5v", "c2alx1u", "c2alzy4", "c2amcpt", "c2amrko", "c2an8h8", "c2aumur" ], "score": [ 18, 2, 4, 7, 3, 6, 13...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_in_Sweden" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_in_Sweden" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
9isfne
why is there so many different kinds of pain medication? they all seem to do the same thing (according to their descriptions), but why does tylenol work for some headaches and ibuprofen (naproxen, aspirin, etc.) work for other headaches?
Same with prescription medications, How does a doctor know which pain medication you need?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9isfne/eli5_why_is_there_so_many_different_kinds_of_pain/
{ "a_id": [ "e6m0pmq", "e6m1ati", "e6m1odp", "e6m1z4d", "e6mf2ps" ], "score": [ 5, 4, 2, 4, 2 ], "text": [ "Some reduce inflammation which helps relieve pain, and some block pain receptors in your cells, so you don’t feel the pain. Different drugs perform different ...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/335z5f/eli5_what_is_the_difference_between_advil_tylenol/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8u54h1/eli5_what_do_pain_relieving_drugs_exactly_do_and/", "https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5ywn01/eli5_what_i...
2iuugl
if the tongue is a muscle, and muscles grow after the fibers are torn, why doesn't your tongue grow after being bitten?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2iuugl/eli5if_the_tongue_is_a_muscle_and_muscles_grow/
{ "a_id": [ "cl5oeo6", "cl5u4sf", "cl5uj7e", "cl5vdja", "cl5wqyz" ], "score": [ 9, 28, 12, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "The tongue is actually controlled by eight different muscles. The part you bite is just the fleshy exterior.", "Not the same type of tear. Otherwise, bo...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
517n3a
kneeling during/sitting in national anthem disrespect to armed forces?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/517n3a/eli5_kneeling_duringsitting_in_national_anthem/
{ "a_id": [ "d79wua5", "d79wuhk" ], "score": [ 2, 2 ], "text": [ "It's only disrespecting the armed forces in a super roundabout way. In the US, we stand to pay respect to the flag, which represents the US. If you're in uniform (military) you also salute. Maybe other professions as well, l...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
6ab9nc
what happens in a free falling elevator? will you go to the ceiling or stay on the floor?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6ab9nc/eli5_what_happens_in_a_free_falling_elevator_will/
{ "a_id": [ "dhd6omj" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "If the elevator is free falling then you too are free falling inside the elevator. So you would be neither in the ceiling or on the floor. However there are a few practical concerns. First of all you most likely start off standing on the floor. S...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
5hwsor
why the depth matters with water resistant devices?
For example 5ft for 30 minutes. How does the depth affect the water resistance?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5hwsor/eli5_why_the_depth_matters_with_water_resistant/
{ "a_id": [ "db3jfpb", "db3jhxz", "db3jm9t" ], "score": [ 5, 3, 3 ], "text": [ "The deeper you dive in water, the more pressure is applied across the entire exposed surface of an object. Gaskets (rubber components designed to keep water out) in a device can only stand so much press...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
d62rxx
if the single use plastic is already made, how is my refusal to buy these items helping the planet? they are already made and someone else will buy them?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/d62rxx/eli5_if_the_single_use_plastic_is_already_made/
{ "a_id": [ "f0phew2", "f0phkhp", "f0phkw7", "f0phque", "f0phrcs", "f0pi50j" ], "score": [ 9, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "If not as many single use plastic items get bought, companies will cut back on how many more they make in the future. That's important t...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
2v2yqb
islands like hawaii seem to very quickly get diverse vegetation even though they pop up in the middle of the ocean, so where do the first seeds come from?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2v2yqb/eli5_islands_like_hawaii_seem_to_very_quickly_get/
{ "a_id": [ "coe0fqz", "coe3d8w", "coe3zio", "coe49pp", "coe4wv0", "coegmg1" ], "score": [ 237, 31, 39, 3, 13, 2 ], "text": [ "Seeds travel in many ways. Some get there by water, traveling on air currents (think dandelion) or by animals (bird eats seed, und...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
6gexjc
what causes extreme heat on atmosphere re-entry and was this discovered prior to the first mission or a lesson learned later?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/6gexjc/eli5_what_causes_extreme_heat_on_atmosphere/
{ "a_id": [ "diprepi" ], "score": [ 10 ], "text": [ "Not exactly air friction. Friction would be the air rubbing against the body so much as to raise the temperature to extremes. But what happens is different. \n\nIn the upper atmosphere air is very thin - is not dense at all. As a body falls thro...
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[]
[ [] ]
2ze72u
why does my iphone say i have 4.4 gigs of memory used in pictures and yet i have no pictures on my phone
[Picture](_URL_0_) On the last update I had to delete some apps off my phone to make room for the install. I went in the usage area and noticed I had over 4 gigs of pictures on my phone. What I don't understand after backing up all of the pictures to my desktop and removing them off my iPhone it still shows I'm usin...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2ze72u/eli5why_does_my_iphone_say_i_have_44_gigs_of/
{ "a_id": [ "cpi6swl" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "It's photos saved in messages, possibly cached photos. Delete some conversations, or (I highly recommend) jailbreak your phone, install iCleaner and it will clear ALL that crap out." ] }
[]
[ "http://i.imgur.com/FgrRv8A.jpg" ]
[ [] ]
5d2i7i
how do we know there are more colors than can be seen with the naked eye, if we can't... see them?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5d2i7i/eli5_how_do_we_know_there_are_more_colors_than/
{ "a_id": [ "da17spb", "da1ao0r", "da1c5jf", "da1t638" ], "score": [ 2, 2, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "A color is just a particular wavelength of light that happens to trip some of the cells in our eyes to some degree.\n\nWe know for a fact that there are wavelengths of light that d...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrachromacy#Humans" ] ]
10e9ny
apple vs. samsung lawsuits
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/10e9ny/apple_vs_samsung_lawsuits/
{ "a_id": [ "c6cq90v", "c6creig", "c6cs8y4", "c6ctoby", "c6cvkna", "c6d2guc" ], "score": [ 18, 14, 75, 6, 2, 10 ], "text": [ "Samsung created a lot of mobile devices that do things that Apple says they thought of first. Some examples are:\n\n\"Making things ...
[]
[]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent" ], [], [ "http://www.theverge.com/2012/8/8/3227289/samsung-apple-ux-ui-interface-improvement" ], [], [], [] ]
1pzgq4
eili5 how does file encryption work?
How does file encryption work with a key? What does it change in the file structure? Also, when adding a password to a file - how does that little phrase obfuscate the rest of the contents?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pzgq4/eili5_how_does_file_encryption_work/
{ "a_id": [ "cd7mywn" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "Encryption takes a key, and combines it with the message mathematically to scramble it.\n\nA simple encryption scheme might move the letters of the message forward in the alpha. If my key was 1 2 3, and my message was REDDIT, it would encrypt it...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
bzld7h
why are wall outlets 110v or 220v? those seem like such arbitrary values; why not 100v?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bzld7h/eli5_why_are_wall_outlets_110v_or_220v_those_seem/
{ "a_id": [ "eqt9r8c", "eqtb9yv", "eqtiqf7", "eqtr9qs", "equ7a6w" ], "score": [ 47, 7, 4, 13, 2 ], "text": [ "In many parts of the world, electric companies sprung up, each making their own flavor of power (certain voltage, amperage, cycles per second, etc.). This c...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
45e4ue
why are doctors england on strike?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/45e4ue/eli5_why_are_doctors_england_on_strike/
{ "a_id": [ "czx66rg", "czx6jti", "czxbkp1" ], "score": [ 26, 6, 3 ], "text": [ "The UK government wants to introduce a new contract for doctors. The changes would include modification of standard working hours which will result in unsafe working practices and reduced pay, as well ...
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[]
[ [], [], [] ]
25z7sy
tuition is increasing faster than inflation. cable prices are increasing faster than inflation. healthcare costs too. isn't that the definition of inflation?
I see a lot of posts about various industries and the exorbitant price increases they are experiencing - healthcare in the last 10 years, cable prices, cell service, the tuition bubble, etc. Home prices are back to 2007 levels and the Zillow AMA indicated that this is still 15% undervalued. Where I live in Los Angeles,...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/25z7sy/eli5_tuition_is_increasing_faster_than_inflation/
{ "a_id": [ "chm4l9f", "chm4mz8" ], "score": [ 6, 2 ], "text": [ "First, you need to understand how Inflation is measured. Its simply not practical to have the primary inflation number we talk about include every possible product that you could by or spend money on, not to mention the prob...
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[]
[ [], [] ]
2hyalj
why does radiation in a disaster stay for so long? (like in chernobyl)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2hyalj/eli5_why_does_radiation_in_a_disaster_stay_for_so/
{ "a_id": [ "ckx3wi4" ], "score": [ 5 ], "text": [ "All radioactive materials have a half-life. The half-life is the amount of time it takes for half of the material to decay into something else.\n\nIf the material from Chernobyl has a half-life of 1000 years then after 1000 years only 1/2 of it w...
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[]
[ [] ]
5c9248
serious question - is there science behind a face that appears more desirable to punch? aka: "punchable face"
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5c9248/eli5serious_question_is_there_science_behind_a/
{ "a_id": [ "d9ulwkt" ], "score": [ 2 ], "text": [ "There is no definitive single answer, but there are some answers. It probably shouldn't be a surprise that given how sensitive to facial expressions humans are, that we'd have the capacity for a strong reaction. By the way, there is a German word...
[]
[]
[ [ "https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-fallible-mind/201601/why-ted-cruz-s-facial-expression-makes-me-uneasy" ] ]
4lp2t2
what is a senator and what is a congressman?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4lp2t2/eli5_what_is_a_senator_and_what_is_a_congressman/
{ "a_id": [ "d3p22sr" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "Congress is more or less the US equivalent of the UK's Parliament. Like the UK Parliament, it has two houses.\n\nThe lower house is the House of Representatives. The people who sit in that are called Congressmen/women. It's very much like the UK'...
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[]
[ [] ]
2rz0c1
why do people become outraged and upset at other people's sexual preferences?
If nobody's getting hurt or coerced, why do people get so bent out of shape about what other folks do in the bedroom?
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2rz0c1/eli5_why_do_people_become_outraged_and_upset_at/
{ "a_id": [ "cnkknhg", "cnkkxbp", "cnklu6e", "cnkmtrz", "cnkqpp8", "cnktpoe" ], "score": [ 2, 5, 7, 8, 3, 5 ], "text": [ "Bisexual here. I've been called mentally handicapped, told that I should be institutionalized or put on medication, and told that I don'...
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[ [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
5nw6wr
why constant friction leads to orgasm? what makes the brain think "yeah... i wasn't sure you were having sex, but now that 20 minutes has passed i'm certain... take the reward now"?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5nw6wr/eli5_why_constant_friction_leads_to_orgasm_what/
{ "a_id": [ "dceswyo" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "As far as I know (not a biologist) human males generally last so long because they train to, because they want to get human females off, which i'm guessing have a longer time to orgasm to encourage them to have more sex, to guarantee pregnancy. S...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
4s354f
what happened to the panama papers story? it was supposed to be this giant scandal, yet it seems to have disappeared.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4s354f/eli5_what_happened_to_the_panama_papers_story_it/
{ "a_id": [ "d564qg1", "d565ds0", "d566v3g" ], "score": [ 23, 3, 2 ], "text": [ "1. It's still a thing, but given that there haven't been any new major revelations (e.g. The Pope) most news organizations have chosen to focus on more topical things (The Euro 16, Brexit, etc.)\n\n2. ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
5h3786
what factors cause people from different countries to protest differently?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5h3786/eli5_what_factors_cause_people_from_different/
{ "a_id": [ "dax2yt3", "dax3hsm" ], "score": [ 9, 4 ], "text": [ "Nothing's to say that can't happen in the US, but a part of it comes out of necessity. Many parts of Asia are heavily populated, and not just heavily, but densely. The need to be clean isn't just a good idea, it has roots ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
2yc8mg
how on earth do batteries work?
I've researched it, and I don't understand it.
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2yc8mg/eli5_how_on_earth_do_batteries_work/
{ "a_id": [ "cp87lfl", "cp87uyx", "cp8gghn" ], "score": [ 28, 3, 6 ], "text": [ "They have a chemical inside that is capable of holding extra electrons. When you charge them, you use the energy from the power plant ( or solar panels/ wherever the hell it comes from) to pump the che...
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[ [], [], [] ]
66zmb2
if things with different mass fall at the same velocity, why do heavier things cause more 'damage' when they land?
For example: a 1kg plastic ball falling on you would slightly hurt as opposed to a 1 ton one falling on you would crush you.
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/66zmb2/eli5_if_things_with_different_mass_fall_at_the/
{ "a_id": [ "dgmiq6f" ], "score": [ 7 ], "text": [ "Force = mass x acceleration\n\nAs you point out, objects fall at the same rate, i.e. acceleration is constant. So, for falling objects, force is proportional to mass. Using your example, a 1 ton (1,000 kg) ball will hit with exactly 1,000 times...
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[]
[ [] ]
b6cj5m
how does a charger charge your phone for a split second after it was removed from the socket?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b6cj5m/eli5_how_does_a_charger_charge_your_phone_for_a/
{ "a_id": [ "ejjh0ub", "ejjh1i7", "ejjh99k", "ejjv8uk" ], "score": [ 2, 3, 10, 2 ], "text": [ "The charger has electrical storage components inside of it called capacitors, and these components can store electricity for a very short time after being disconnected from the po...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
1h2l1l
the senate bill 5 being discussed in today's filibuster in the texas senate.
As mentioned in a few of the top threads today in /r/politics. _URL_1_ [Here's the live feed.](_URL_0_)
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1h2l1l/eli5_the_senate_bill_5_being_discussed_in_todays/
{ "a_id": [ "caq8w4s" ], "score": [ 12 ], "text": [ "Might be a little over EIL5, but meh...\n\nThe bill does a few things. From [_URL_1_](_URL_4_):\n\n* The bill would restrict abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy \n* Require all clinics to be certified as ambulatory surgical centers\n* Require ...
[]
[ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2Q8Hr0O20LY", "http://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/1h1lfy/today_wendy_davis_a_texas_state_senator_from_ft/" ]
[ [ "http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/texas_lege/bill-requires-surgical-center-at-abortion-clinic", "kut.org", "http://medical-malpractice.lawyers.com/The-Doctor-is-In-How-Doctors-Work-with-Hospitals.html", "http://www.prochoice.org/about_abortion/facts/safety_of_abortion.html", "http://kutnews.org/po...
9njare
why does a magnetic field do no work on a stationary particle but yet electric field does work on it?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9njare/eli5_why_does_a_magnetic_field_do_no_work_on_a/
{ "a_id": [ "e7mo0wn", "e7mrij1" ], "score": [ 4, 6 ], "text": [ "The electric field (ac) is moving so the stationary particle has motion with respect to the electric field creating work. The magnetic field is stationary and thus is stationary with respect to the stationary particle so no ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
70sqhz
why do we sometimes twitch or spaz when we get a random chill?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/70sqhz/eli5why_do_we_sometimes_twitch_or_spaz_when_we/
{ "a_id": [ "dn5vblt" ], "score": [ 17 ], "text": [ "Those are transient myoclonic jerks . These are just short burst of muscle contractions that you see especially when you are falling sleep. These are similarly seen in many physiological and pathological conditions. \nIf excessive they are call...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
b5uxhv
why does your arm shake when you flex really hard?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/b5uxhv/eli5_why_does_your_arm_shake_when_you_flex_really/
{ "a_id": [ "ejg6dva" ], "score": [ 4 ], "text": [ "When you stretch or flex your muscles, they can affect the body’s nervous system, which in effect controls the body’s muscle movements. When the body becomes overly stressed, it can cause involuntary muscle spasms.\n\n" ] }
[]
[]
[ [] ]
7mwr6r
plasma, in the electrical sense. why is it its own state/phase?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7mwr6r/eli5_plasma_in_the_electrical_sense_why_is_it_its/
{ "a_id": [ "drxa8q3", "drxae8v", "drxaejm", "drxjwxr" ], "score": [ 23, 2, 7, 3 ], "text": [ "Plasma forms when you heat up a gas to really high temperatures. The electrons get ripped away from the atoms due to their high energy. This is called ionization. This makes plasm...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [] ]
bv4e9k
why are vehicles insured, instead of people/drivers?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bv4e9k/eli5_why_are_vehicles_insured_instead_of/
{ "a_id": [ "epl3kh8", "epl919r", "epljzu4" ], "score": [ 7, 2, 3 ], "text": [ "I some countries it's actually both. The vehicle is insured, but the insurance won't cover driver liability, so the driver needs their own insurance too.", "The biggest variable in insurance is the ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
3qu54d
what's the point of the russians visiting the moon in 2029 when we're planning on visiting mars in the 2030's?
The moon has already been visited and I'm sure that there are still some things to learn from a another visit there, but it seems that if there was anything of extreme importance there, NASA would already have planned another visit. The Mars trip will take place so shortly after Russia's moon trip that I just don't se...
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3qu54d/eli5_whats_the_point_of_the_russians_visiting_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cwibnhp", "cwibsam", "cwiextw", "cwig8y9" ], "score": [ 5, 3, 10, 2 ], "text": [ "There hasn't been a person on the moon since the 70s and we've not sent a person beyond orbit since then either.\n\nNot to mention no other country besides the US has actually sen...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [ "http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/08/31/russians_on_moon_by_2025/" ] ]
684rxj
after the initial sleepiness feeling, why do we suddenly feel more alert after a few hours pass your normal sleeping time before you suddenly feel lethargic and sleepy again?
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/684rxj/eli5after_the_initial_sleepiness_feeling_why_do/
{ "a_id": [ "dgwesyz" ], "score": [ 3 ], "text": [ "A certain sleep writer suggests it's because there is a metabolitic release timed to coincide with the early part of sleep intended to for the heavy lifting your lymphatic and endocrine systems will do in the early part of sleep. Apparently this ...
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[]
[ [] ]
8snsj8
why do fermented foods turn into alcohol and cause intoxication?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8snsj8/eli5_why_do_fermented_foods_turn_into_alcohol_and/
{ "a_id": [ "e10wjym", "e10x2qk" ], "score": [ 19, 2 ], "text": [ "Yeast. Yeast is a microscopic fungi that is intentionally added to the process of making alcoholic drinks. It consumes the sugars, and excrete alcohol. As the alcohol content rises, the yeast dies off. They also produce CO2...
[]
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[ [], [] ]
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" ] ]
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" ] ]
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 ...
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[ [], [] ]
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*." ] }
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
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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[ [] ]
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" ] ]
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...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
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 ...
[]
[]
[ [], [] ]
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...
[]
[]
[ [], [ "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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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [] ]
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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[]
[ [], [] ]
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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[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
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...
[]
[]
[ [] ]
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...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [] ]
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...
[]
[]
[ [ "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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[]
[ [] ]
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,...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [ "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 ...
[]
[]
[ [], [], [], [], [], [], [ "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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[ [], [] ]
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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[ [] ]
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...
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[ [], [], [ "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" ] ]
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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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 :)." ] }
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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?" ] }
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[ [] ]
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...
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[ [], [], [], [] ]
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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[ [] ]
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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[ [], [] ]
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...
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[ [], [], [ "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" ], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [], [] ]
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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[ [], [] ]
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" ] ]
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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[ [], [] ]
1xzib1
how do scientists/anthropologists explain the seemingly quick ascent of the human species?
The wheel was created around 3500 BCE and within roughly 5000 years, humans have been to the moon. What is the explanation for such quick progress in a species? Dinosaurs were around for millions of years and never accomplished even a fraction of the technological progress as we have. I have heard that opposable thu...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1xzib1/eli5_how_do_scientistsanthropologists_explain_the/
{ "a_id": [ "cfg02ag", "cfg4q1v" ], "score": [ 5, 3 ], "text": [ "[Punctuated Equilibrium, my man. Evolution of species or ideas shouldn't be be viewed as a gradual and constant change but as a series of leaps and bounds interspersed with periods of stability.](_URL_0_)", "Am I the onl...
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[ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kardashev_scale#Type_I" ]
[ [ "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punctuated_equilibrium" ], [] ]
2u1fvs
why do boobs in classical artworks look so different from those sported by today's models? [nsfw]
I've always wondered about this. Did Titian, Rubens and the like have different ideas about how nice boobs were supposed to look? Were they going for some "classical ideal" of nice boobs, and if so, what was it? I've read that beauty comes from an evolutionary instinct towards healthy, child-bearing figures, so surely ...
explainlikeimfive
http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2u1fvs/eli5_why_do_boobs_in_classical_artworks_look_so/
{ "a_id": [ "co496k1", "co49dp9", "co49fu3" ], "score": [ 6, 2, 5 ], "text": [ "The models have all had surgery, or are naturally big-breasted. \n\nIn antiquity, it was considered more attractive to have smaller breasts, so the artists chose smaller-breasted women.", "I'm sure ...
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[ "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Maja_desnuda_%28museo_del_Prado%29.jpg", "http://imgur.com/r/Page3Glamour/EOAW9G1", "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Tiziano_-_Venere_di_Urbino_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg", "http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/10/18/article-2050520-0E6D16CB0...
[ [], [], [] ]
3jqs5y
why was the race to the moon more important than the race to the first man in space?
[deleted]
explainlikeimfive
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3jqs5y/eli5_why_was_the_race_to_the_moon_more_important/
{ "a_id": [ "curhokx", "curhqwn", "curm6ma" ], "score": [ 8, 2, 2 ], "text": [ "They know him in Russia. \n\nBecause the Soviets sent a man into space first, the achievement was downplayed in the West, and then the Moon Race was really hyped up to compensate. ", " \"It remind...
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[ [], [], [] ]