WHY do audiences in some theaters not applaud until the very end of Wagner's Parsifal?
The premiere of Wagner's Parsifal in Bayreuth was warmly received by the audience, but the composer, wishing to set the mood for serious applause, asked not to call the performers to their feet after each act, but only at the very end. The audience was confused and stopped even applauding, which confused Wagner himself. But it was too late - avoiding applause until the end of Parsifal had become a tradition in Bayreuth.
At one performance Wagner, seated in the auditorium himself, shouted: "Bravo!" to which he heard his neighbors hiss. In some theaters, such as the Metropolitan Opera, the audience supports this tradition; in others they applaud as usual.
The premiere of Wagner's Parsifal in Bayreuth was warmly received by the audience, but the composer, wishing to set the mood for serious applause, asked not to call the performers to their feet after each act, but only at the very end. The audience was confused and stopped even applauding, which confused Wagner himself. But it was too late - avoiding applause until the end of Parsifal had become a tradition in Bayreuth.
At one performance Wagner, seated in the auditorium himself, shouted: "Bravo!" to which he heard his neighbors hiss. In some theaters, such as the Metropolitan Opera, the audience supports this tradition; in others they applaud as usual.
WHY did cars used to be depicted in cartoons with oval wheels?
Early cameras didn't have fast central shutters, so they used shutters with moving shutters to take pictures of moving objects. This caused pictures of cars on the move to have oval wheels.
But this was not seen as a defect, as it was believed that such photos could not better emphasize the swiftness and speed. Later that is why artists of comics and cartoons often depicted cars with oval wheels.
Early cameras didn't have fast central shutters, so they used shutters with moving shutters to take pictures of moving objects. This caused pictures of cars on the move to have oval wheels.
But this was not seen as a defect, as it was believed that such photos could not better emphasize the swiftness and speed. Later that is why artists of comics and cartoons often depicted cars with oval wheels.
WHY does the expiration date on a bottle of drinking water refer to the bottle, not the water?
Drinking water itself has no expiration date - unlike the containers in which it is stored. When liquids are stored for long periods of time, plastic containers release chemicals that affect the taste and safety of the product. This does not mean that the water immediately becomes poisonous, but it gradually loses its freshness and can become stale.
It is believed that water in glass bottles retains its taste longer.
Drinking water itself has no expiration date - unlike the containers in which it is stored. When liquids are stored for long periods of time, plastic containers release chemicals that affect the taste and safety of the product. This does not mean that the water immediately becomes poisonous, but it gradually loses its freshness and can become stale.
It is believed that water in glass bottles retains its taste longer.
WHY do dried plants lose flavor and color, but retain their scent?
Many fruits retain their flavor and some of their color when dried, such as hot peppers. The insides of saffron blossoms are used as a food coloring because of their resistance to drying. But in general, the smell is really more persistent than the taste and color.
The reason for this is that the aroma of plants is determined by the presence of essential oils, esters and higher alcohols, which are chemically stable even in the absence of moisture. And color and taste depend on substances that are usually stable only in aqueous solutions. When they dry out, they break down or combine with other substances, losing their properties.
Many fruits retain their flavor and some of their color when dried, such as hot peppers. The insides of saffron blossoms are used as a food coloring because of their resistance to drying. But in general, the smell is really more persistent than the taste and color.
The reason for this is that the aroma of plants is determined by the presence of essential oils, esters and higher alcohols, which are chemically stable even in the absence of moisture. And color and taste depend on substances that are usually stable only in aqueous solutions. When they dry out, they break down or combine with other substances, losing their properties.
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WHY are there freshwater icebergs in the salty ocean?
Since the glaciers of Greenland and Antarctica.
When the salty ocean water evaporates, it turns fresh and falls as precipitation. In Greenland and Antarctica, the fallen snow compacts under its own weight and slides off the edges of the land. A so-called ice shelf glacier is formed, and huge pieces of icebergs break away from the edges of the glacier.
Since the glaciers of Greenland and Antarctica.
When the salty ocean water evaporates, it turns fresh and falls as precipitation. In Greenland and Antarctica, the fallen snow compacts under its own weight and slides off the edges of the land. A so-called ice shelf glacier is formed, and huge pieces of icebergs break away from the edges of the glacier.
WHY are the lights dimmed on board during take-off?
The flight crew turns off the main cabin lights during take-off and landing for the safety of the passengers in case of an emergency.
It is done so that passengers' eyes become accustomed to the dark, not for comfort but for safety reasons.
If passengers need to be evacuated immediately, their eyes will be better prepared for darkness or smoke. In addition, emergency signs will be more visible.
The flight crew turns off the main cabin lights during take-off and landing for the safety of the passengers in case of an emergency.
It is done so that passengers' eyes become accustomed to the dark, not for comfort but for safety reasons.
If passengers need to be evacuated immediately, their eyes will be better prepared for darkness or smoke. In addition, emergency signs will be more visible.
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Why don't people wake up from their own snoring?
Since even in sleep the brain analyzes sounds, and the sleeper wakes up if the sound is unexpected or has a signal meaning (call, name calling). A person may also be awakened by the absence of a sound, for example, if a night train, which constantly passes by his house at the same time, for some reason did not pass by.
At the same time, the loud but familiar noise does not bother the person, which is known to anyone who has fallen asleep in the subway. Here, too, the snorer's brain does not perceive snoring as an unexpected sound.
Since even in sleep the brain analyzes sounds, and the sleeper wakes up if the sound is unexpected or has a signal meaning (call, name calling). A person may also be awakened by the absence of a sound, for example, if a night train, which constantly passes by his house at the same time, for some reason did not pass by.
At the same time, the loud but familiar noise does not bother the person, which is known to anyone who has fallen asleep in the subway. Here, too, the snorer's brain does not perceive snoring as an unexpected sound.
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WHY does the sloth's fur turn green?
The sloth got its name because of its sedentary, half-sleeping lifestyle. The animal has poorly developed hearing, but this drawback is largely compensated by its sense of smell and sight, as well as the presence of two extra vertebrae, which allow it to turn its head by 270°.
The sloth's long, shaggy, often piled fur grows toward its belly, and in its "grooves" live and multiply two kinds of algae, which give the animal a greenish-brown color.
This "camouflage suit" allows the animal to live relatively quietly, remaining unnoticed in the jungle among numerous predators.
The sloth got its name because of its sedentary, half-sleeping lifestyle. The animal has poorly developed hearing, but this drawback is largely compensated by its sense of smell and sight, as well as the presence of two extra vertebrae, which allow it to turn its head by 270°.
The sloth's long, shaggy, often piled fur grows toward its belly, and in its "grooves" live and multiply two kinds of algae, which give the animal a greenish-brown color.
This "camouflage suit" allows the animal to live relatively quietly, remaining unnoticed in the jungle among numerous predators.
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WHY are Dalmatians "carriage dogs"?
In Great Britain, the Dalmatian became known as a carriage dog. Their carriage escort, strength, endurance and fearlessness made them the constant companions of the English nobility. The dogs ran under the front axle of the carriage and could travel long distances on a par with horses.
During the halts the faithful animals, caressing and entertaining their masters, did not forget to vigilantly guard their peace. At the slightest danger, they bravely fought both wild animals and forest robbers.
This is why "carriage" dogs had their floppy ears cropped, which suffered most during fights. The first official "Dalmatian Club" was established by the British in 1890 and they also developed a show standard for this breed.
In Great Britain, the Dalmatian became known as a carriage dog. Their carriage escort, strength, endurance and fearlessness made them the constant companions of the English nobility. The dogs ran under the front axle of the carriage and could travel long distances on a par with horses.
During the halts the faithful animals, caressing and entertaining their masters, did not forget to vigilantly guard their peace. At the slightest danger, they bravely fought both wild animals and forest robbers.
This is why "carriage" dogs had their floppy ears cropped, which suffered most during fights. The first official "Dalmatian Club" was established by the British in 1890 and they also developed a show standard for this breed.
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WHY can trees grow on sand?
Few trees grow on clean sand because it quickly loses moisture. The tree needs the proximity of groundwater, or a long root that can reach the aquifers. Another problem is the lack of mineral nutrition, especially nitrogen nutrition.
Trees growing on sand have to make do with scarce nitrogen compounds dropped out of the atmosphere during thunderstorms and bird droppings. Almost all trees on sand grow more slowly than on richer soils and grow smaller.
Few trees grow on clean sand because it quickly loses moisture. The tree needs the proximity of groundwater, or a long root that can reach the aquifers. Another problem is the lack of mineral nutrition, especially nitrogen nutrition.
Trees growing on sand have to make do with scarce nitrogen compounds dropped out of the atmosphere during thunderstorms and bird droppings. Almost all trees on sand grow more slowly than on richer soils and grow smaller.
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WHY are bananas crooked?
The banana is a perennial herb, not at all the palm that it so resembles.
The stem reaches a length of about 8-10 meters in height and is about 35-40 centimeters in diameter. The fruits take an average of two to six months to mature.
Initially they grow downwards, but under the influence of growth hormone the fruits bend upwards and curve under the pressure of their own weight.
By the way, in Cuba bananas are deep-fried, in Indonesia they are served with fish, in Australia bananas are a great side dish to a nutritious steak.
The banana is a perennial herb, not at all the palm that it so resembles.
The stem reaches a length of about 8-10 meters in height and is about 35-40 centimeters in diameter. The fruits take an average of two to six months to mature.
Initially they grow downwards, but under the influence of growth hormone the fruits bend upwards and curve under the pressure of their own weight.
By the way, in Cuba bananas are deep-fried, in Indonesia they are served with fish, in Australia bananas are a great side dish to a nutritious steak.
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WHY do goats graze on trees in Morocco?
Morocco is the only country where goats do not graze on the ground but on trees. The reason is an acute shortage of grass. The goats climb the argania trees that grow there, where they eat the leaves and fruits. The task of shepherds is usually not only to drive the goats from tree to tree and control the herd, but also to collect bones from the argania fruits, which the goats spit out.
They produce valuable argan oil, used in cosmetology and cooking.
Morocco is the only country where goats do not graze on the ground but on trees. The reason is an acute shortage of grass. The goats climb the argania trees that grow there, where they eat the leaves and fruits. The task of shepherds is usually not only to drive the goats from tree to tree and control the herd, but also to collect bones from the argania fruits, which the goats spit out.
They produce valuable argan oil, used in cosmetology and cooking.
WHY don't those working on poppy plantations fall asleep?
Morphine and the other narcotic alkaloids of the opium poppy are virtually volatile under normal conditions. They evaporate only when heated strongly, such as in smoking devices.
So even a full day's work in a poppy plantation cannot produce a dose capable of causing any noticeable narcotic intoxication.
Morphine and the other narcotic alkaloids of the opium poppy are virtually volatile under normal conditions. They evaporate only when heated strongly, such as in smoking devices.
So even a full day's work in a poppy plantation cannot produce a dose capable of causing any noticeable narcotic intoxication.
WHY are modern screens safe?
Electron-beam screens (with the volumetric kinescope box behind) could theoretically damage the eyes, because the electron bombardment of the phosphor layer produces weak X-rays. There were special protections on such screens. But these monitors are practically out of use, and they have never been used in portable devices.
Modern liquid crystal screens do not emit anything but visible light, and the eyes can get tired when working with them, just like when reading a book, for example.
Electron-beam screens (with the volumetric kinescope box behind) could theoretically damage the eyes, because the electron bombardment of the phosphor layer produces weak X-rays. There were special protections on such screens. But these monitors are practically out of use, and they have never been used in portable devices.
Modern liquid crystal screens do not emit anything but visible light, and the eyes can get tired when working with them, just like when reading a book, for example.
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WHY does an airplane seem to be moving so slowly as it flies?
The reason is that it is high above the ground. The flight altitude of a civilian airliner is about 10 kilometers. It takes about that much time for the view behind the window to change noticeably. At a normal speed of 700-900 km / h (200-250 m / s) for this requires almost a minute.
A car moves on the highway 10 times slower, but the distance to the trees does not exceed ten meters, and the picture behind the side window is updated on average twice a second. Therefore it seems that the plane "drags" in comparison with the car.
However, the illusion disappears as soon as the plane descends, although when landing its speed is about three times less than at altitude.
The reason is that it is high above the ground. The flight altitude of a civilian airliner is about 10 kilometers. It takes about that much time for the view behind the window to change noticeably. At a normal speed of 700-900 km / h (200-250 m / s) for this requires almost a minute.
A car moves on the highway 10 times slower, but the distance to the trees does not exceed ten meters, and the picture behind the side window is updated on average twice a second. Therefore it seems that the plane "drags" in comparison with the car.
However, the illusion disappears as soon as the plane descends, although when landing its speed is about three times less than at altitude.
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WHY can't trees grow indefinitely?
Thus, even the very thick trunk of the strongest tree, once it gets to a height of a couple of hundred meters, either it cannot support its own weight, or it will fall under a gust of wind. If the trunk were not a column, but a cone with a very wide base, the tree would be able to grow up to 500 meters.
As for trees, they use the so-called turgor pump to transport nutrients, which uses osmotic pressure and water molecules that "bind" to each other by surface tension, or cohesion. However, soon after 130 meters of ascent, the turgor pump will stand up.
Besides, the efficiency of photosynthesis decreases in a tall tree: such a giant cannot have a sprawling crown commensurate with its size.
Thus, even the very thick trunk of the strongest tree, once it gets to a height of a couple of hundred meters, either it cannot support its own weight, or it will fall under a gust of wind. If the trunk were not a column, but a cone with a very wide base, the tree would be able to grow up to 500 meters.
As for trees, they use the so-called turgor pump to transport nutrients, which uses osmotic pressure and water molecules that "bind" to each other by surface tension, or cohesion. However, soon after 130 meters of ascent, the turgor pump will stand up.
Besides, the efficiency of photosynthesis decreases in a tall tree: such a giant cannot have a sprawling crown commensurate with its size.
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WHY do the carvings of a 12th century Spanish cathedral depict an astronaut in a spacesuit?
On the carvings of the New Cathedral of Salamanca, built in the 16th-18th centuries, you can find the figure of an astronaut in a spacesuit.
Nothing mystical here: according to a local tradition, every time buildings are restored, elements reflecting modernity are added. One of the craftsmen chose the astronaut during the next restoration in 1992.
Vandals have since damaged the hand and face of the figure, making it look as if it has survived the centuries.
On the carvings of the New Cathedral of Salamanca, built in the 16th-18th centuries, you can find the figure of an astronaut in a spacesuit.
Nothing mystical here: according to a local tradition, every time buildings are restored, elements reflecting modernity are added. One of the craftsmen chose the astronaut during the next restoration in 1992.
Vandals have since damaged the hand and face of the figure, making it look as if it has survived the centuries.
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WHY do people pay for movie minutes in Germany?
Cinema tickets in Germany are expensive, they can cost around €10. That's why it's a good deal for film lovers to buy a monthly pass for €23.
Yet you have to pay for extra minutes of film: a subscription includes films of 120 minutes, and time over this limit is paid separately. There is even a special term for this phenomenon: Überlängenzuschlag.
Cinema tickets in Germany are expensive, they can cost around €10. That's why it's a good deal for film lovers to buy a monthly pass for €23.
Yet you have to pay for extra minutes of film: a subscription includes films of 120 minutes, and time over this limit is paid separately. There is even a special term for this phenomenon: Überlängenzuschlag.
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WHY are hedgehogs depicted with apples?
The touching myth of the hedgehog hoarding apples and mushrooms for its babies was created by Pliny the Elder. According to him, the hedgehog is able to "deliberately" cling to grape berries, or, in some cases, to apples.
In reality, the hedgehog is not physically capable of riding on its back while piercing fruit with its needles. Moreover, most hedgehogs have no interest in apples. When you meet a hedgehog, treat him not with milk and fruit, but with earthworms, bird eggs, and canned dog meat.
Still, young hedgehogs do not mind peeking into the garden and eating grapes and overripe plums. A couple of rotten fruits may well fall on their backs and get caught in the needles.
The touching myth of the hedgehog hoarding apples and mushrooms for its babies was created by Pliny the Elder. According to him, the hedgehog is able to "deliberately" cling to grape berries, or, in some cases, to apples.
In reality, the hedgehog is not physically capable of riding on its back while piercing fruit with its needles. Moreover, most hedgehogs have no interest in apples. When you meet a hedgehog, treat him not with milk and fruit, but with earthworms, bird eggs, and canned dog meat.
Still, young hedgehogs do not mind peeking into the garden and eating grapes and overripe plums. A couple of rotten fruits may well fall on their backs and get caught in the needles.
WHY do skaters pull tights on skates?
First, it visually lengthens the legs. Yeah, still, there is a place for aesthetics here. So it's not a myth.
Secondly, the tights hide the damage on the skates. Shoes are the skater's workhorses, so they get badly scratched and battered over the season. To hide the shabby look, some people touch them up, and others pull tights over them.
Many skaters wear socks, sometimes even terry socks, to create some sort of comfort inside the shoe. The tights inside the shoe will slip, and if you put them on top, they can cover those very socks.
First, it visually lengthens the legs. Yeah, still, there is a place for aesthetics here. So it's not a myth.
Secondly, the tights hide the damage on the skates. Shoes are the skater's workhorses, so they get badly scratched and battered over the season. To hide the shabby look, some people touch them up, and others pull tights over them.
Many skaters wear socks, sometimes even terry socks, to create some sort of comfort inside the shoe. The tights inside the shoe will slip, and if you put them on top, they can cover those very socks.
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