Science
Exploring "Why" questions about Science
483 articles
Why do animals eyes light up in certain colours when shone at with a torch/light?
Many especialy night active animals have a layer of reflective tissue behind the light sensing cells at the back of the eye. That allows them to caputer more light in their light sensing cells. Additi
Why cant we add smells to carbon monoxide like we do to other gases?
We certainly could. But the dangerous sources of carbon monoxide aren't pre-bottled, where someone could add an odor. Instead they are the product of combustion.
Why does turning electronic items off and on usually fix the problem?
Look at it like a chess board: After 100+ moves, it's hard to set every step back until you're in the start position. It's easier to remove all the pieces from the board and start all over. ^This ^was
Why are we not harnessing solar energy from unpopulated areas?
Cost. Plus the further away the power generation is, the more is lost in transferring that power over long distances (and also the larger the cost to set up the power lines). Plus, solar panels can't
Why some pre-modern societies developed base-2, base-12, or base-20 numbering systems, instead of base-10?
Actually, 10 based system doesn't have any advantages. The only reason we use it is because we have 10 fingers. 2 based system is very comfortable for computing.
Why can’t we dispose of nuclear waste by putting on a subduction tectonic plate to sink it into the earth’s core?
It would work. But the subduction plates move at the same rate that your toenails grow, or thereabouts. So it would take years and years and years for the waste to disappear.
Why do cigarettes need to contain so many dangerous chemicals if it is the nicotine that keeps you buying them?
Seems that a lot of people here have missed the main point. Cigarettes go out pretty easily. They add one chemical to keep it burning despite windy conditions, one to keep it from burning too quickly,
Why does it smell different outside when it’s cold?
Are you talking about day to day cold or seasonal. Diffenrt plants die when its cold and different plants have pollen released at different times in the season, its possible that day to day temperatur
Why do our eyes get crusty in the morning?
Tear ducts produce tears regularly to clean and lubricate the eyes. Overnight, this often builds up and dries leaving you with crusty eyes.
Why has Iran so quickly reversed its footing on its nuclear program?
The latest sanctions on the Iranians have effectively crippled the countries economy to a point that is essentially unsustainable and will only get worse if they continue on their current course. The