WHY does a train back up before moving forward?
If the driver of a heavy freight train tries to move it sharply forward, the train may not move at all, because the total frictional force of the railroad tracks acting on the wheels of the cars will exceed the sliding force of the locomotive's driving wheels.
Frequently, the driver must first reverse in order to loosen the couplings. And only then drive forward, propelling the cars one by one.
If the driver of a heavy freight train tries to move it sharply forward, the train may not move at all, because the total frictional force of the railroad tracks acting on the wheels of the cars will exceed the sliding force of the locomotive's driving wheels.
Frequently, the driver must first reverse in order to loosen the couplings. And only then drive forward, propelling the cars one by one.
Why can't you create a folder named 'con' in Windows?
In Windows, you cannot normally create a folder named 'con'. Numerous web sites claim that it is the personal wish of Bill Gates, who was teased with this word as a child (which supposedly means "nerd").
In fact, it's much simpler than that. It turns out that when Bill was designing MS-DOS, he had prescribed folders in the file system that can only be created once and they are used for the needs of the system itself. So, besides the CON folder you can't write many other names like PRN, NUL, AUX, LPT0, LPT1, COM1, COM2 and so on.
In Windows, you cannot normally create a folder named 'con'. Numerous web sites claim that it is the personal wish of Bill Gates, who was teased with this word as a child (which supposedly means "nerd").
In fact, it's much simpler than that. It turns out that when Bill was designing MS-DOS, he had prescribed folders in the file system that can only be created once and they are used for the needs of the system itself. So, besides the CON folder you can't write many other names like PRN, NUL, AUX, LPT0, LPT1, COM1, COM2 and so on.
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WHY is the saxophone called that?
The Belgian master Adolphe Sax, who invented the saxophone, originally called it something completely different - the mouthpiece ophicleide.
Only two years later, his friend, the composer Berlioz, called the new instrument the saxophone in a magazine article, and that name caught on much better.
The Belgian master Adolphe Sax, who invented the saxophone, originally called it something completely different - the mouthpiece ophicleide.
Only two years later, his friend, the composer Berlioz, called the new instrument the saxophone in a magazine article, and that name caught on much better.
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WHY do we feel frustrated in the fall?
With the onset of autumn, our body begins to save energy. This is primarily due to the natural mechanisms of adaptation to new temperature conditions. The body begins to consume less energy to prepare for a difficult winter period. As a rule, this is expressed in increased appetite, sleepiness, which is an absolutely normal reaction of the body.
The colder it is outside and the more fallen leaves appear underfoot, the more homesick the person feels. The transition from golden and warm autumn to dank and gray can be a turning point in the emotional state. Autumn moping is comparable to acclimatization.
Remember, at the first -5 degrees in winter we quickly freeze, the wind seems icy. But in two weeks, at the same temperature, you can enjoy a walk in the fresh air.
Physical activity, a balanced diet and vitamins improve health.
With the onset of autumn, our body begins to save energy. This is primarily due to the natural mechanisms of adaptation to new temperature conditions. The body begins to consume less energy to prepare for a difficult winter period. As a rule, this is expressed in increased appetite, sleepiness, which is an absolutely normal reaction of the body.
The colder it is outside and the more fallen leaves appear underfoot, the more homesick the person feels. The transition from golden and warm autumn to dank and gray can be a turning point in the emotional state. Autumn moping is comparable to acclimatization.
Remember, at the first -5 degrees in winter we quickly freeze, the wind seems icy. But in two weeks, at the same temperature, you can enjoy a walk in the fresh air.
Physical activity, a balanced diet and vitamins improve health.
WHY do people in Japan enjoy eating maple leaves?
In some regions of Japan, deep-fried maple leaves are a popular snack. The leaves are harvested, then aged for about a year in salt barrels, and then coated in a special sweet dough and deep fried in oil.
Snack makers assure us that the most appropriate thing to do when eating maple leaves is to admire the autumn colors of Japanese nature.
In some regions of Japan, deep-fried maple leaves are a popular snack. The leaves are harvested, then aged for about a year in salt barrels, and then coated in a special sweet dough and deep fried in oil.
Snack makers assure us that the most appropriate thing to do when eating maple leaves is to admire the autumn colors of Japanese nature.
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WHY is water in the oceans and seas salty while fresh in rivers?
Most of the salts in seawater were formed at the beginning of geologic history, at the origin of the oceans. Volcanic gases present in the atmosphere reacted with water to form acids. These reacted with the metal silicates in the rocks of the ocean floor, producing salts. Some more salts were brought to the seas by the rivers, which washed them out of the minerals of the land. The river water that enters the sea evaporates and the salts accumulate.
The water in rivers is normally fresh since they are fed by precipitation, which does not contain salt, and they flow in channels that have long since been washed away. Yet in some arid mountainous areas (e.g., the Kopetdag), saline rivers do exist.
Most of the salts in seawater were formed at the beginning of geologic history, at the origin of the oceans. Volcanic gases present in the atmosphere reacted with water to form acids. These reacted with the metal silicates in the rocks of the ocean floor, producing salts. Some more salts were brought to the seas by the rivers, which washed them out of the minerals of the land. The river water that enters the sea evaporates and the salts accumulate.
The water in rivers is normally fresh since they are fed by precipitation, which does not contain salt, and they flow in channels that have long since been washed away. Yet in some arid mountainous areas (e.g., the Kopetdag), saline rivers do exist.
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WHY can poor weather affect your Internet connection?
Rain can cause physical damage to cables, especially where telecommunications networks are of old infrastructure. Although most people are already connected to broadband, some parts of the network may run on old telephone lines that are vulnerable to damage.
Most Internet cables lie underground. In the event of a flood, water can get into the cables or their connectors. This can significantly reduce speeds or even block it completely, reducing bandwidth or causing short circuits. But it can affect more than just home communications. Wireless networks outside homes or buildings can be affected by rainfall: water droplets can partially absorb the signal, causing the coverage area to drop.
Even when the rain stops, the effect can still be felt. High humidity, which remains in the air for a long time, can slow down Internet connections.
Rain can cause physical damage to cables, especially where telecommunications networks are of old infrastructure. Although most people are already connected to broadband, some parts of the network may run on old telephone lines that are vulnerable to damage.
Most Internet cables lie underground. In the event of a flood, water can get into the cables or their connectors. This can significantly reduce speeds or even block it completely, reducing bandwidth or causing short circuits. But it can affect more than just home communications. Wireless networks outside homes or buildings can be affected by rainfall: water droplets can partially absorb the signal, causing the coverage area to drop.
Even when the rain stops, the effect can still be felt. High humidity, which remains in the air for a long time, can slow down Internet connections.
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WHY can't we see stars from space orbit?
They are visible unless interfered by sunlight. When objects illuminated by the Sun are in the observer's or camera's field of view, the eye or camera adapts to these bright sources and the other luminaries become invisible.
But when the space station flies from the night side of the Earth, the stars are clearly visible to the naked eye.
They are visible unless interfered by sunlight. When objects illuminated by the Sun are in the observer's or camera's field of view, the eye or camera adapts to these bright sources and the other luminaries become invisible.
But when the space station flies from the night side of the Earth, the stars are clearly visible to the naked eye.
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WHY do nettles burn?
Its stem and leaves are covered with thin, hardly visible to the eye, very sharp villi that easily pierce the skin and break and remain in it.
The villi contain a sap composed of formic acid, histamine and vitamin B4. When the villi enter the skin, the juice leaks under the skin and causes a burning sensation in the punctured area.
Its stem and leaves are covered with thin, hardly visible to the eye, very sharp villi that easily pierce the skin and break and remain in it.
The villi contain a sap composed of formic acid, histamine and vitamin B4. When the villi enter the skin, the juice leaks under the skin and causes a burning sensation in the punctured area.
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Lotus is about to release its first NFT collection
British carmaker Lotus is partnering with Web3 Ripple and NFT PRO to enter the world of NFT. Here, the former will provide technical support for minting digital assets on the ultra-fast, low-cost and carbon-neutral XRP Ledger (XRPL) blockchain.
The project, called the 01L Collection, will be launched in several phases, the first of which will be the release of the first collection of rare NFT Lotus. The collection includes five different assets, each of which is a dynamic and animated image of a Lotus badge with a different color background. Each design has been developed by the car company's in-house design team to ensure that the innovative spirit of Lotus is fully embodied in each NFT.
British carmaker Lotus is partnering with Web3 Ripple and NFT PRO to enter the world of NFT. Here, the former will provide technical support for minting digital assets on the ultra-fast, low-cost and carbon-neutral XRP Ledger (XRPL) blockchain.
The project, called the 01L Collection, will be launched in several phases, the first of which will be the release of the first collection of rare NFT Lotus. The collection includes five different assets, each of which is a dynamic and animated image of a Lotus badge with a different color background. Each design has been developed by the car company's in-house design team to ensure that the innovative spirit of Lotus is fully embodied in each NFT.
WHY did the church conclude that the fork was a tool of the devil?
At one point, Christian theologians in Europe declared that the fork was "Satan's fork".
Perhaps it was the medieval denial of all things ancient. Since the culture of ancient Greece was based on belief in multiple gods, Christian preachers saw the cutlery as a mini-trident of Poseidon, god of the sea.
For centuries, the Catholic Church did not allow the use of a fork. When the French queen Jeanne d'Herve, who treasured her only fork, died of the plague in the fourteenth century, churchmen called her demise payback for her reckless fondness for the devil's object.
Only by the 16th century did the fork overcome Catholic prejudice. And in 1630 Governor Winthrop of Massachusetts had the first and only fork in colonial America.
At one point, Christian theologians in Europe declared that the fork was "Satan's fork".
Perhaps it was the medieval denial of all things ancient. Since the culture of ancient Greece was based on belief in multiple gods, Christian preachers saw the cutlery as a mini-trident of Poseidon, god of the sea.
For centuries, the Catholic Church did not allow the use of a fork. When the French queen Jeanne d'Herve, who treasured her only fork, died of the plague in the fourteenth century, churchmen called her demise payback for her reckless fondness for the devil's object.
Only by the 16th century did the fork overcome Catholic prejudice. And in 1630 Governor Winthrop of Massachusetts had the first and only fork in colonial America.
WHY do some birds walk while others jump?
In general terms, the rule is this: the lighter birds usually jump, the heavier birds save strength and don't lift their entire body off the ground, leaving one leg to lean on. A classic example is tits and finches. They are small and usually move in leaps and bounds. But there is such a bird as the wagtail, for example. It is comparable to a tit in size, but it walks on the ground rather than hopping. There is a difference in lifestyle.
Tits usually spend a lot of time in trees, and hopping is the most efficient way to move from branch to branch. Wagtails, on the other hand, feed by running on the ground and chasing tasty insects. Thus, jumping is not typical for it. If we turn to the ravens (grackles, rooks, crows, etc.), these larger birds usually move with a step. But magpies and jays belonging to the same family gallop. The reason is that they spend more time on branches than the rest of their congeners.
In general terms, the rule is this: the lighter birds usually jump, the heavier birds save strength and don't lift their entire body off the ground, leaving one leg to lean on. A classic example is tits and finches. They are small and usually move in leaps and bounds. But there is such a bird as the wagtail, for example. It is comparable to a tit in size, but it walks on the ground rather than hopping. There is a difference in lifestyle.
Tits usually spend a lot of time in trees, and hopping is the most efficient way to move from branch to branch. Wagtails, on the other hand, feed by running on the ground and chasing tasty insects. Thus, jumping is not typical for it. If we turn to the ravens (grackles, rooks, crows, etc.), these larger birds usually move with a step. But magpies and jays belonging to the same family gallop. The reason is that they spend more time on branches than the rest of their congeners.
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WHY are the pipes of thermal power plants painted with red and white stripes?
The purpose of these pipes is to carry the gas after fuel combustion to a height that is safe for people. Accordingly, the higher the chimney, the farther and better the dispersion.
Smoke comes out of the pipe due to the draft, which, as in cooling towers, arises from the difference in height and diameter of the outlet. Although at first glance it appears that these pipes are straight, in fact they are cylindrical.
And they are painted in red and white stripes to meet aviation safety requirements. The combination of red (sometimes orange) and white colors is easiest to see in different weather conditions, so chimneys within a radius of four kilometers of airfields, and all chimneys over 50 meters in height, regardless of location, are marked in this way.
The purpose of these pipes is to carry the gas after fuel combustion to a height that is safe for people. Accordingly, the higher the chimney, the farther and better the dispersion.
Smoke comes out of the pipe due to the draft, which, as in cooling towers, arises from the difference in height and diameter of the outlet. Although at first glance it appears that these pipes are straight, in fact they are cylindrical.
And they are painted in red and white stripes to meet aviation safety requirements. The combination of red (sometimes orange) and white colors is easiest to see in different weather conditions, so chimneys within a radius of four kilometers of airfields, and all chimneys over 50 meters in height, regardless of location, are marked in this way.
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WHY can fish sink?
Most pelagic fish (that is, living near the surface of the oceans) are kept afloat by a gas-filled bubble. At depth, the pressure of the gases in their bubble cannot compensate for the pressure of the water, and the bubble collapses.
The fish will begin to sink, and if it has no time to rise with its muscles, it will die. This also applies to fish lacking a swim bladder, such as sharks.
Only some fish can drown, and only theoretically.
Most pelagic fish (that is, living near the surface of the oceans) are kept afloat by a gas-filled bubble. At depth, the pressure of the gases in their bubble cannot compensate for the pressure of the water, and the bubble collapses.
The fish will begin to sink, and if it has no time to rise with its muscles, it will die. This also applies to fish lacking a swim bladder, such as sharks.
Only some fish can drown, and only theoretically.
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WHY do octopuses change color while sleeping?
Octopuses, recognized masters of camouflage, change their skin color even while they sleep. Some scientists believe that this color change directly reflects the clams' dreams, although we can't find out if they can dream in the human sense at all.
Skeptics argue that octopus chromatophores flicker only because their muscles relax and undergo small contractions at rest.
Octopuses, recognized masters of camouflage, change their skin color even while they sleep. Some scientists believe that this color change directly reflects the clams' dreams, although we can't find out if they can dream in the human sense at all.
Skeptics argue that octopus chromatophores flicker only because their muscles relax and undergo small contractions at rest.
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WHY do we cry from happiness?
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Our autonomic nervous system consists of sympathetic and parasympathetic. One part is responsible for "fighting" and the other for "relaxing" respectively. It is the sympathetic nervous system that kicks in when we are under stress, for example by making our heart beat faster. And the parasympathetic system, with its calming function, is directly connected with the lacrimal glands.
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When we experience intense happiness, our heart rate increases. And the emotion is so strong that our body cannot recognize it. So our heartbeat activates the parasympathetic system, which sends a signal to the lacrimal glands, and we start to cry.
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That is, the body simply cannot distinguish between a strong positive emotion and a negative one.
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Our autonomic nervous system consists of sympathetic and parasympathetic. One part is responsible for "fighting" and the other for "relaxing" respectively. It is the sympathetic nervous system that kicks in when we are under stress, for example by making our heart beat faster. And the parasympathetic system, with its calming function, is directly connected with the lacrimal glands.
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When we experience intense happiness, our heart rate increases. And the emotion is so strong that our body cannot recognize it. So our heartbeat activates the parasympathetic system, which sends a signal to the lacrimal glands, and we start to cry.
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That is, the body simply cannot distinguish between a strong positive emotion and a negative one.
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WHY are watermelons, cherries and other fruits often the game symbols in slot machines and casinos?
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The era of slot machines called "one-armed bandit" began in the U.S. in the late 19th century. But the government fought this business in every way, imposing fines and bans. The company Bell-Fruit Gum in 1910 to get around the bans set up the production of slot machines, which gave out very cheap chewing gum for each rotation of the reels.
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Also, the symbols of card suits were replaced by drawings of watermelons and cherries, which symbolized the flavors of different types of gum. When the drawings matched, as before, the winnings were awarded.
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This fruit symbolism is still found even in modern, fully computerized slot machines.
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The era of slot machines called "one-armed bandit" began in the U.S. in the late 19th century. But the government fought this business in every way, imposing fines and bans. The company Bell-Fruit Gum in 1910 to get around the bans set up the production of slot machines, which gave out very cheap chewing gum for each rotation of the reels.
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Also, the symbols of card suits were replaced by drawings of watermelons and cherries, which symbolized the flavors of different types of gum. When the drawings matched, as before, the winnings were awarded.
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This fruit symbolism is still found even in modern, fully computerized slot machines.
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WHY did Morse leave painting and begin developing the telegraph?
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Samuel Morse was a painter until he was 34 and had no interest in technology. In 1825 a messenger delivered a letter from his father telling him that his wife was dying. Morse immediately left Washington and went to New Haven, where his family lived, but by the time he arrived his wife had already been buried.
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This incident caused Morse to leave painting and delve into the study of ways to deliver messages quickly over long distances, leading to the development of Morse code and the electric telegraph in 1838.
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Samuel Morse was a painter until he was 34 and had no interest in technology. In 1825 a messenger delivered a letter from his father telling him that his wife was dying. Morse immediately left Washington and went to New Haven, where his family lived, but by the time he arrived his wife had already been buried.
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This incident caused Morse to leave painting and delve into the study of ways to deliver messages quickly over long distances, leading to the development of Morse code and the electric telegraph in 1838.
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WHY do flamingos stand on one leg?
It turns out that standing on one leg is really related to the heat exchange: the ratio of uncovered feathers to the body is such that the bird loses too much heat in the wind. For this reason, flamingos warm their legs by alternately hiding them in their plumage.
This pose requires no efforts from them: a special physiologic device prevents bending of the supporting leg, due to which it remains elongated even without using muscular force.
It turns out that standing on one leg is really related to the heat exchange: the ratio of uncovered feathers to the body is such that the bird loses too much heat in the wind. For this reason, flamingos warm their legs by alternately hiding them in their plumage.
This pose requires no efforts from them: a special physiologic device prevents bending of the supporting leg, due to which it remains elongated even without using muscular force.
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WHY do we hear a rustling noise inside a tennis ball?
A tennis ball is not inflated from the outside, like a soccer ball, but from the inside, so to speak. Before fusing its two rubber halves, a tablet consisting of sodium nitrite and ammonia is placed between them.
Sodium nitrite is well known to anyone who loves smoked sausages: it gives the naturally gray stuffing a delicious pink color and specific taste, and is labeled on the packaging as a "color enhancer" E250. Ammonia is a salt that decomposes in water to produce ammonia, which is why the aqueous solution of this gas is called ammonia alcohol.
So, when heated, these two substances react to form nitrogen, water vapor, and table salt. Nitrogen and water vapor expand the ball from the inside. We can hear the rustle inside the ball when the salt crystals are relatively large.
Note that not all modern balls are made in this way, so not every ball rustles.
A tennis ball is not inflated from the outside, like a soccer ball, but from the inside, so to speak. Before fusing its two rubber halves, a tablet consisting of sodium nitrite and ammonia is placed between them.
Sodium nitrite is well known to anyone who loves smoked sausages: it gives the naturally gray stuffing a delicious pink color and specific taste, and is labeled on the packaging as a "color enhancer" E250. Ammonia is a salt that decomposes in water to produce ammonia, which is why the aqueous solution of this gas is called ammonia alcohol.
So, when heated, these two substances react to form nitrogen, water vapor, and table salt. Nitrogen and water vapor expand the ball from the inside. We can hear the rustle inside the ball when the salt crystals are relatively large.
Note that not all modern balls are made in this way, so not every ball rustles.
WHY did one Englishman appear naked in a duel between two gentlemen?
In 1806, two gentlemen, Humphrey Howarth and the Earl of Barrymore, argued in an English bar. A duel was arranged for the next morning, where Howarth appeared completely naked, shocking the assembled audience.
He had previously served as an army surgeon and knew that death often came not from the bullet itself, but from an infection carried with a piece of clothing. The count had no desire to be remembered in history as the man who had killed a naked man in a duel, and the rivals resolved the situation peacefully.
In 1806, two gentlemen, Humphrey Howarth and the Earl of Barrymore, argued in an English bar. A duel was arranged for the next morning, where Howarth appeared completely naked, shocking the assembled audience.
He had previously served as an army surgeon and knew that death often came not from the bullet itself, but from an infection carried with a piece of clothing. The count had no desire to be remembered in history as the man who had killed a naked man in a duel, and the rivals resolved the situation peacefully.