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Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Why do materials like some metals with lower heat capacities than water, require so much more heat to liquify?

Why do materials like some metals with lower heat capacities than water, require so much more heat to liquify?


Why do materials like some metals with lower heat capacities than water, require so much more heat to liquify?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 05:33 PM PST

Any recent data that shows the difference in mortality or severity of people who took flu shot vs not?

Posted: 12 Feb 2020 07:06 AM PST

You hear all the time that even though I got a flu shot, I still got flu. I mean yeah flu shot is not 100% protective against flu. I was wondering if the flu shot 1) decreases the severity of the flu - if yes, in what way (number of days or severity of symptoms ? 2) Mortality rate of people with flu shot vs placebo. Recent data would be appreciated. On a side note, why do some young healthy people die of flu and some older people with other illnesses don't?

submitted by /u/hakuna17
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Ask Anything Wednesday - Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science

Posted: 12 Feb 2020 07:08 AM PST

Welcome to our weekly feature, Ask Anything Wednesday - this week we are focusing on Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science

Do you have a question within these topics you weren't sure was worth submitting? Is something a bit too speculative for a typical /r/AskScience post? No question is too big or small for AAW. In this thread you can ask any science-related question! Things like: "What would happen if...", "How will the future...", "If all the rules for 'X' were different...", "Why does my...".

Asking Questions:

Please post your question as a top-level response to this, and our team of panellists will be here to answer and discuss your questions.

The other topic areas will appear in future Ask Anything Wednesdays, so if you have other questions not covered by this weeks theme please either hold on to it until those topics come around, or go and post over in our sister subreddit /r/AskScienceDiscussion , where every day is Ask Anything Wednesday! Off-theme questions in this post will be removed to try and keep the thread a manageable size for both our readers and panellists.

Answering Questions:

Please only answer a posted question if you are an expert in the field. The full guidelines for posting responses in AskScience can be found here. In short, this is a moderated subreddit, and responses which do not meet our quality guidelines will be removed. Remember, peer reviewed sources are always appreciated, and anecdotes are absolutely not appropriate. In general if your answer begins with 'I think', or 'I've heard', then it's not suitable for /r/AskScience.

If you would like to become a member of the AskScience panel, please refer to the information provided here.

Past AskAnythingWednesday posts can be found here.

Ask away!

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How does flour transform when you fry something?

Posted: 12 Feb 2020 06:47 AM PST

First, flour is a powder, then when you mix it with water, it becomes a soft dough like substance. When you fry that, you get this crispy solid. What are the inner chemical or physical changes happening?

submitted by /u/PleasantSport
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Does acid (specifically Hydrochloric acid) become less reactive if it is old?

Posted: 12 Feb 2020 06:29 AM PST

Ok so basically I just finished doing an experiment about how the surface area of magnesium affects the rate of reaction with hydrochloric acid. We used a concentration of 1mol/dm3 for our tests. Our reaction was extremely un-reactive. We were confused but continued on using the same acid. We did this over the span of about three days using the exact same acid every day (as it was kept in a glass container). However near the end of our last day we ran out of that specific jar of acid. We used another one with the same concentration and the reaction was very reactive. I am now doing my evaluation, is it possible that the acid we used for most of the experiment was old and therefore non-reactive? Any responses are appreciated thank you!

submitted by /u/localptsd
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How much of the planet was covered in forest before humans, and how much is covered in forest now?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 03:04 PM PST

Or how much was covered before we began harvesting trees heavily - I'm assuming this began around the industrial revolution.

submitted by /u/OlieOnEntertainment
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Is there a difference between emitted fluorescent photons under different absorption regimes?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 02:42 PM PST

This is probably a poorly worded question, but that's part of what led me here instead of being able to find a paper for this. If I want to consider an emitted fluorescent photon, is there a difference if that fluorescent photon was created through a one photon absorption or a two photon absorption? I know 1PA and 2PA have different selection rules for electronic state transitions, but does this translate into any measurable difference in the subsequently emitted photon?

If possible, could you also point me towards any sources so I can read up on this topic? Thank you in advance

submitted by /u/MyAltSPDCAcc
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Are animals' facial expressions representative of their mood or do humans just interpret them that way?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 12:04 PM PST

If an animal appears to be smiling, is it actually happy or is it's face just doing that?

For some types of expression, I imagine the answer is obviously yes. If a tiger is bearing it's teeth at you and hissing, it is pretty clear that it is demonstrating that it is aggressive.

But for expressions like happiness, worry, fear, relaxedness and the like, is that actually how the animal is feeling or do humans just assign human emotions to vaguely similar expressions on animals?

submitted by /u/irich
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Why is 1^∞ indeterminate? Shouldn't the answer always be 1, no matter the exponent?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 06:46 PM PST

With all the epoxy-ing going on (countertops, tables, lamps...) How long does epoxy take to decompose?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 02:29 PM PST

Is the decomposition time the same as common plastics?

submitted by /u/iamamiwhatami
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Is the earth getting heavier or lighter?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 01:32 PM PST

With gases reaching the upper atmosphere and being picked off by solar winds, trips to the cosmos leaving space junk and stuff falling to earth from space is earth at a net gain or loss of mass year on year?

submitted by /u/hedonism_bot_3012
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How does one "ping" to a server?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 12:02 PM PST

I hear everyone talk about ping all the time and I always wonder what is happening actually when im getting lets say 32 ms to NA East. Is that how fast it takes to get to a server?

submitted by /u/casuallyfaded
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Why would a generator that takes advantage of raising and lowering tides not be considered a perpetual motion machine?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 08:04 PM PST

How do those quick electronic germ tests work and what exactly do they measure?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 11:18 AM PST

Like the ones seen being used in those articles about how poor hygene on planes contributes to the propagation of the coronavirus.

submitted by /u/ninja_cracker
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Assuming a spherical projectile with no spin, but WITH air resistance, does a projectile thrown in the air still follow a parabola? If not, are there equations that can model the shape?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 06:37 PM PST

Does copper IUD stop implantation of a fertilized egg?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 06:51 AM PST

For example, inserting a copper IUD when the egg is already fertilized with a sperm. Will the copper IUD stop the implantation to the uterus and therefore stop pregnancy?

submitted by /u/NixothePaladin
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Are gut microbiota and autism related and if so how?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 04:29 PM PST

How scientists keep anti-matter atoms from touching matter atoms?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 03:39 PM PST

As far as I know, scientists in CERN managed to create anti-hydrogen atoms and observe it for seconds. How do they do it since anti-matter and matter cause an explosion when they contact?

submitted by /u/fallenphaethon
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Do all Planets in Planetary systems allign occasionally?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 09:12 AM PST

It won't happen in our Solar system again before May 6, 2492, or at least come close to if my understanding is right. But a question I can't stop running in to, is whether or not this is a thing that is bound to happen in any Planetary System?

It's probably just a Mathmatical question in all honesty. Do points (in elliptical orbits), when placed at random distances with different velocities, relative to a fixed center, always end up 'somewhat' alligned when given enough time?

I realize that this period of time might vary exponentially the more planets there are added, and the velocities they are moving at. But ignoring the consequenses of speed and time, is this a true statement by any means?

submitted by /u/SinnyJ
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How does caffeine reach the liver?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 10:55 AM PST

Caffeine is metabolized predominantly by CYP1A2 in the liver; however, since caffeine is nearly 100% bioavailable and does not undergo significant first-pass metabolism by the liver, how and at what point does it reach the liver?

submitted by /u/Alina7564
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Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Can depression related cognitive decline be reversed?

Can depression related cognitive decline be reversed?


Can depression related cognitive decline be reversed?

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 10:26 PM PST

As in does depression permanently damage your cognitive ability?

submitted by /u/TorrentPrincess
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In 'Interstellar', shouldn't the planet 'Endurance' lands on have been pulled into the blackhole 'Gargantua'?

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 06:29 AM PST

the scene where they visit the waterworld-esque planet and suffer time dilation has been bugging me for a while. the gravitational field is so dense that there was a time dilation of more than two decades, shouldn't the planet have been pulled into the blackhole?

i am not being critical, i just want to know.

submitted by /u/crusnic_zero
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Our Sun and Moon appear to us to be the same size in the sky. Thinking about it my guess would be that the scenario is extremely unlikely. Is it?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 05:26 AM PST

How does tungsten bond with carbon to produce Tungsten Carbide?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 02:12 AM PST

Is it a type of metallic bond or ionic bond? I'm not sure about how it bonds together.

submitted by /u/OutcastLunatic
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How does heat capacity relate to heat conductivity?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 02:07 AM PST

I'm having a hard time reconciliating between these to two concepts, as far as I understand a material with low heat conductivity will impede the flow of heat but doesn't that also mean that it takes more effort (energy) to heat up that material? I don't understand how a material could have a low heat conductivity but not a high heat capacity.

submitted by /u/Boosty-McBoostFace
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Are there electrons in neutrons?

Posted: 11 Feb 2020 01:47 AM PST

During Beta radiation a neutron (according to our teacher) basically turns into one Proton and one Electron, the proton stays in the atom and the electrons gets sent out. is this correct? Where does the electrons come from?

submitted by /u/Melkerlexdn
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Why do some people experience hallucinations and see dead people before their death?

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 07:24 PM PST

Why are the tonsils so uniquely susceptible to bacterial infection (Strep)?

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 08:46 PM PST

Why do we raise our hot drinks?

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 08:44 PM PST

So I was on the shuttle to school the other day, and I had a fresh cup of coffee. I saw we were approaching a speed bump and I instinctively raised my coffee higher in the air as we went over said bump. I then realized that many other people do the same thing to sort of brace for any incoming bumps if that makes sense? Can someone give me the physics or logics to why we do this? Thanks

submitted by /u/mytummyhurtfirsr
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Which mountain could overtake Everest?

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 08:40 PM PST

With the constant geologic forces, is there a mountain that could overtake Everest as the highest mountain in the next 10,000 or more years?

submitted by /u/BayRunner
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Can a baby inside the womb have an allergic reaction? If so how would it be treated?

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 11:17 AM PST

Is there a simple method for differentiating between genera of actinobacteria?

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 08:54 PM PST

I'm in a second year microbiology course trying to ID a culture isolated from a local dirt sample. I decided to try to ID one of the filamentous colonies that grew despite the course being geared towards more basic organisms. I've determined that my culture is an actinobacteria, and I suspect that it's within the genus Streptomyces (based on morphology). However, I can't seem to find much literature on methods of confirming that it's a type of Streptomyces within my means (or even exactly what it is that makes a species Streptomyces and not another type of actinobacteria). I have access to a phase contract microscope (up to 1000x), various selective and differential media, some basic biochemical tests, and solutions to make most commonly used stains. I do NOT have fluorescence microscopy or any genetic analysis equipment (or experience). I've learned everything I know about actinobacteria in the last 3 days, but from my understanding, they're incredibly diverse. Due to the ridiculous variety in colony formation, morphology, structure, and biochemical function within actinobacteria, I'm having difficulty discerning the genus of my culture. Is there any specific differentiating morphological trait between genera, or any series of stains or growth conditions?

submitted by /u/beesdotcom
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Why does GPS use so much power on phones?

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 02:35 PM PST

Using location services is known to be a battery hog on smartphones. But if my understanding of how GPS works is correct, it seems like the smartphone never transmits any radio signals: your phone simply listens for broadcasts from GPS satellites and computes its position from the data they transmit.

I can't imagine that the calculations are all that intense, and antennas are passive devices. Why then does GPS use up so much battery power?

submitted by /u/whereswalden90
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Specifically how do scientists identify viral DNA in the human genome?

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 01:15 PM PST

I have heard the claim that humans have some odd 2-8% viral DNA and that some of this DNA is shared across species, I am curious how scientists actually determine what is viral DNA and what's not.

submitted by /u/Angrysliceofpizza
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Orbiting Moon at low altitude , how low can we go and would there be a point?

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 01:15 PM PST

Since there is no atmosphere on the moon to slow down a ship, is it possible to orbit the moon at a very low altitude (say several to several dozens of meters)? How fast would the ship go? And would there be a point to do this either for one ship or for a constellation?

submitted by /u/Lsh20xx
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In terms of hydration, is there a difference between drinking lots of water every few hours vs drinking very small amounts constantly?

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 06:53 AM PST

ESA’s Solar Orbiter probe has launched. “One of the coatings that makes sure the spacecraft doesn't get too hot is actually made out of baked animal bones.” What is the process of preparing these bones and why are they so useful over other materials?

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 07:27 AM PST

Why do we need multi-stage rockets to get to space?

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 07:24 AM PST

I recognize that it takes a lot of energy to get to orbit, but why do we need more than one type of rocket? To dumb it down a bit, what's wrong with one big rocket that powers you all the way? Or two of the same rocket?

submitted by /u/JeremyTheRhino
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If our cells constantly replace themselves, how do our bodies or even individual organs get worn out?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 10:21 PM PST

Cell replication, as far as my freshman, non-biology-major coursework puts it, is a cell making copies of itself based on instructions passed down through generations. How does the cell, the organ, and the body age if they are constantly being replaced with new copies on the cellular level?

As a side question, what organ(s) would last the longest if they were able to run independently? Which organs or parts of the body wear out the fastest?

submitted by /u/Furiously_Fortuitous
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Does the MMR vaccine lower the risk of complications from these diseases if an individual doesn't gain immunity?

Posted: 10 Feb 2020 07:41 AM PST

We know that vaccination doesn't have 100% efficacy; my question is aimed at the 5%+ of people who the vaccine doesn't induce immunity in.

Is this group of people still susceptible to the effects of these disease in all its horrific glory (i.e. sterility, encephalitis, deafness, pneumonia, etc.)? Or are they still susceptible to infection but far less likely to develop complications?

submitted by /u/MorboDestroyer
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Monday, February 10, 2020

Can fish fart? If so, is it similiar to how mammals fart?

Can fish fart? If so, is it similiar to how mammals fart?


Can fish fart? If so, is it similiar to how mammals fart?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 08:14 AM PST

The title says it all, one time my friend got really high and he couldn't sleep because he couldn't find a definite answer to this question.

submitted by /u/normieguy420
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If the moon causes high and low tide due its gravitational forces, does the sun also cause its own variation of high and low tide as well?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 10:07 PM PST

Why does a wound itch when healing?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 08:25 AM PST

Why is iodine used as a disinfectant? I've looked for information online but several articles say its "unknown." Why is iodine a good disinfectant?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 01:38 PM PST

Could you actually fall into a black hole ?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 12:13 PM PST

As I understand it, time goes faster and faster (in your reference frame) as you approach the speed of light (in the black hole's reference frame) when falling into a black hole, until it eventually gets infinitely fast. But thanks to Hawkins radiation black holes have finite lifespans, so woudn't the black hole die before you reach its event horizon ?

submitted by /u/tktz91
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Do neurons push or pull signals?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 07:33 PM PST

When computers talk they either push or pull. Pushing is when a computer sends a message to the other (notifications) and pulling is when a computer asks another computer for the message (refreshing your inbox or checking the weather).

Do neurons push messages to each other, pull messages, or both?

submitted by /u/RyanMatonis
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Are modern day lenses for glasses (the kind you wear) still made of actual glass, or are they plastic now? If they’re made of plastic, how can they correct vision as effectively as actual glass lenses?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 04:02 PM PST

Why do neutrons embrittle material?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 01:09 PM PST

If we assume Pangea existed, what was going on in the other hemisphere? Water, water, everywhere...?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 04:43 PM PST

What is Martian soil like? Is there more than one kind, like on Earth?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 11:39 AM PST

I saw today's SMBC comic, and it got me wondering--could you actually make clay on Mars? I know clay is a specific type of soil--is earth of that kind found on places other than, well... Earth?

submitted by /u/Pale_Chapter
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What came before the latin language and what are the origins as far as we know ?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 02:57 PM PST

Why does light slow down in medium?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 04:42 PM PST

The usual explanation I heard is "light bounces back and forth between atoms of the medium, effectively slowing down". But that cannot be the correct explanation, because it is purely corpuscular. Slowing down in a medium must have a wave explanation, because it causes refraction on boundaries between different media, and refraction is purely wave phenomenon.

submitted by /u/EquilateralCircle
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Does penis size come from your mother’s side?

Posted: 07 Feb 2020 09:42 PM PST

Why RNA is more sensible to nucleases than DNA?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 01:32 PM PST

How do fish/whales/other aquatic animals drink?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 12:42 PM PST

How are cluster/massively parallel computers applied to solve problems in pure mathematics?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 07:33 AM PST

All the work I have done on clusters has been related to informatics. For example, I might get a huge dataset and process it in parallel to get the job done faster. It makes sense to me why clusters are used for hyperparameter searching neural networks or doing molecular dynamics. Are clusters commonly used to do mathematics research, perhaps in the form of computer aided proofs?

submitted by /u/jppdan
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What determines the power of a radio transmitter? What is it in big commercial transmitters that makes them radiate more power than tiny DIY transmitters? Is it the antenna size? The operating voltage? What would you need to change in a transmitter circuit to make it radiate more power?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 09:54 AM PST

How do you exactly calculate things like the speed of light, the speed we travel around the sun and the speed the milkyway is travelling in the universe?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 05:58 AM PST

How do trees know when to stop growing a straight trunk and start - literally - branching out?

Posted: 09 Feb 2020 05:37 AM PST