Why did people jump from the twin towers if they had a chance of surviving?
My answer will not be popular and many will disagree but here goes. (Beware: long answer because I worked in NYC at the time and have spent a…
What is the largest covered area that can be built without using central columns?
The size is almost unlimited even with current technology. I’ll give you three large if not the largest covered structures. New Century Global Center (NCGC) in Chengdu, China,…
Could the human body survive 10 seconds on the moon without a space suit?
Yes. You would not even suffer any permanent damage, if you are rescued after these ten seconds. The problem with vacuum, like on the moon, is, that water…
If white rice is not good for you, why are the Japanese so healthy, since they eat so much of it?
I recall reading a story of a German doctor visiting Japan, who was surprised by the reliance on white rice and minimal meat consumption, especially after hearing of…
If a plane ran out of fuel at 35,000 feet doing 550 mph, how far could a pilot coast the plane?
We have a real-word example of such a problem. In 1983, Air Canada Flight 143, known now as the Gimli Glider, ran out of fuel at 41,000 feet. During…
What is the most breathtaking predator in nature?
The Yaguarondi , native to South America. It is a purely diurnal animal , unlike almost all felines. It is slightly larger than a domestic cat, often called the “otter cat” due to its…
What’s the oldest trick in the book that mechanics use to rip off customers at car shops?
I don’t know about oldest, but locally, there is a mega-carwash that has an attached 5 minute oil change. I went for a wash, and had them change…
How does the Earth orbit the sun without losing energy?
Physics is hard to understand because it violates everyday observation, intuition, and common sense. Take “Newton’s First Law” as an example. It states that an object in motion…
Has the Earth ever had more than one moon in history?
Around 4.5 billion years ago, when the Solar System was brand new, Earth shared its orbit with another planet. This planet, Theia, was about the size of Mars….
How can you spend your life without electricity?
A number of people have been posting their experience of living without electricity in the comments. They should really be posted as answers so that they get the…