Nature
Exploring "Why" questions about Nature
487 articles
Why is current a scalar quantity even though it has direction?
Current is only a scalar in a circuit, because the directionality is one dimensional. It either flows into a point or out of that point. In real life current through a wire is a vector, like when you
Why don’t you see rain in sports tv broadcasts?
My guess is that it's the focal length. When they show the field they have to use a rather large focal length since the players are rather far away. When they show the bench they would use a smaller f
Why is Windows 10 required after Skylake?
It isn't; Skylake still gets support from Microsoft out through 2018. The reason as to why there is an expiration date is because Microsoft doesn't want to keep supporting Windows 7, just like they st
why is it called lake michigan and not michigan sea? lake superior and not superior sea?
Geologically speaking, altitude. 200' above present sea level is, by definition, always a lake. Inland seas are low enough that at maximum sea level (when there is no ice) they are part of the ocean.
Why is dew point important? Can it be used to predict weather?
The dew point is not very interesting by itself. But the difference between the temperature and the dew point is important - that's what determines the humidity. A temperature and a dew point which ar
Why don’t the two back windows in cars roll all the way down?
Look at the geometry of the door and the rear wheel well. Most sedans don't have enough space in the rear door to put the whole window.
Why do Ice Sheets melting raise the ocean level globally? Woudln’t the mass of the Ice Sheet be replaced by the water melted from it.
You are basically correct, because the ice in your drink is already floating. Arctic ice is floating. If it melts, it will not directly affect sea levels.
Why do mosquitoes crop up seasonally each spring? Is it a more “fit” group each year that is more adapted for colder weather, or does natural selection not apply?
they essentially lay "eggs" in stagnant water before dying off each year. once it gets warm enough the "eggs" come out of hibernation and develop into mosquitoes
Why does night seem brighter when there’s snow?
The snow reflects the light making it brighter. When there is no snow the light is not reflected by the ground.
Why is it that when I drive through Iowa and I see a stand of windmills, only half (or so) of them are spinning?
Several reasons, but usually the first one based on the units we have in operation: The grid is receiving the desired output of energy, so the additional wear is avoided. The wind is too strong in tha