Everyday Life
Exploring "Why" questions about Everyday Life
479 articles
Why does salt make other flavours stand out more?
Here's a nifty history on salt : _URL_0_ So basically, we should distinguish taste from flavor. Taste is usually defined as the intensity of a sensory reaction to a food on the anatomical tongue. Flav
Why do we add up chances differently? (diminitive addition)
The odds of getting anything other than a 1 are 5/6. The odds of getting anything other than a 1 twice in a row is 5/6 * 5/6. Keep multiplying, and you should find that the odds of rolling anything bu
Why doesn’t a pistol shrimp’s snap boil water?
Not enough energy to. It's like lighting a match in a snow storm and expecting it to melt everything. Sure, the match is hot, but theres a lot more cold than there is hot.
Why does your throat hurt when you chug down carbonated drinks repetitively?
Our bodies have sensory receptors that allow us to feel and respond to things like pressure, changes in temperature, light, and pain. "Nociceptor" is the specific type of sensory receptor that allows
why do new airplanes still have ashtrays in the bathroom?
If someone violates the no smoking rule you want to ensure they have a good place to put out the cigarette. If they put it in the trash can and a fire starts at 38,000 feet then everyone is dead [CNN
Why is cooking wine not regulated in stores like regular wine is?
Its not intended to be consumed as alcohol. Vanilla extract is well known way for minors to get alcohol.
Why do I find spiders in my sinks and shower tub more than any other location of my house?
I can't remember where, but I read somewhere that they go to places that make them easy to spot for a potential mate. If they are confident enough that there are no threats, they will climb out of the
Why do our noses run when we eat spicy foods?
Capsaicin is what makes food taste spicy. When the mucous membranes (mouth, nasal passages, etc) get exposed to it, it irritates them and mucous is produced by the body as a defense to try to flush ou
Why are bus steering wheels (nearly) parallel to the ground whereas car steering wheels are (nearly) perpendicular to the ground?
Professional bus driver here. It has to do with the angle of the rod that connects the steering wheel to the tires. Since the bus driver is much more elevated and basically sits directly above the tir
Why are bidets and other water integrated toilet seats common in Europe and other countries but almost non-existent in the US?
I come from a country in Europe where bidets are normal. The main use is to ~~earth~~ wash your feet and to place the dirty clothes while you shower. Babies use them as washbasin.