Science
Exploring "Why" questions about Science
484 articles
Why are we able to see shockwaves?
refraction changes in air density (aka shockwaves) act like lenses made out of air more or less the same effect can be observed over candles, only there it is hot air and not compressed air
Why does it seem that anywhere you go these days , there is background music playing (gas stations , malls , airplanes) ?
It's mostly a subconscious thing. There is some evidence to suggest that the tempo of the music playing will affect customers behavior. Slow music in a store might cause some customers to slow down an
Why do microwaves make my fish sticks mushy?
Microwaves heat food mostly by exciting the water molecules in it. Water can only be heated to 100C before it becomes water vapor. So, microwaves generally don't heat your food beyond that temperature
Why “Gravity” Does Not Exist
Newton said gravity is a mysterious force that affects everything with mass. He didn't know what causes this force but he did create some useful equations. Then Einstein came up with General Relativit
why it takes so many years for a county like Iran to build a nuclear weapon when the technology has been around for over 60 years?
There are certain resource hurdles involved in just acquiring the right materials. There are then just lots of technological hurdles involved in refining and enrichment. Countries like North Korea tha
Why moving air feels cold
The most energetic particles of water on your skin evaporate from liquid to gas, taking away their energy from your body and lowering the overall kinetic energy of the water on your skin. This is how
Why can pizza delivery drivers have light up signs on their cars, but my after market lights are considered a ‘distraction’?
There are strict requirements around how the signs can be set up. Your lights don't meet the requirements set forth in the applicable laws regulating vehicle lighting.
why does the max volume on my device vary so much based on what it is playing?
It is entirely dependent on the volume level used when mastering the video/song/etc. Some use a standard 'volume'. This is why all songs on iTunes are almost identical volume when they play at the sam
Why seeing a very bright light leave an imprint in one’s vision?
Your eyes retina has photoreceptors (rods and cones) . There's a chemical reaction happening when light hits it, and if the light is very bright that chemical reaction is bigger than normal and it tak
Why does the US and Russia possess enough nuclear weapons to destroy the earth
Tactically speak, a surprise nuclear attack could wipe out a significant number of a countries nuclear arsenal. To maintain a nuclear deterrent, it is necessary to be able to wipe out your adversary w