Category: Physics

How do power lines kill birds? Birds can be injured or killed with they collide with electric lines in mid-flight. Although birds of all sizes and types collide with wires, their behavior and body type put them more at risk for line collisions. Can a human hang from a power line? Hanging from a power […]

What are the odds of getting West Nile? The odds of getting the most severe forms of West Nile disease are about one in 150. What are the long term side effects of West Nile virus? The most common long-term effects are depression, tremors, fatigue, memory problems, extremity weakness, word-finding difficulty and headaches. Since WNV […]

How do you determine a two-force member? If an element has pins or hinge supports at both ends and carries no load in-between, it is called a two-force member. These elements can only have two forces acting upon them at their hinges. If only two forces act on a body that is in equilibrium, then […]

What is called inertia? Newton’s first law of motion states that a body at rest remains at rest, or, if in motion, remains in motion at a constant velocity unless acted on by a net external force. This is also known as the law of inertia. Inertia is the tendency of an object to remain […]

What is the most energy efficient plant? sugar cane Why do plants not absorb all light? Plants and other photosynthetic organisms are largely filled with pigment protein complexes that they produce to absorb sunlight. The pigment in the lowest layer has to receive enough light to recoup its energy costs, which cannot happen if a […]

What is a requirement for storing chemicals? Chemicals must be separated when being stored to ensure that incompatible chemicals do not mix if there is a spill. Keep the outside of containers clean and the storage area tidy. Do not store liquids above solids to avoid contamination in the event of a leak. Always store […]

Can you die from doing too much homework? You may have received harried text messages over the past few days which say something like, “Studying any more today will literally kill me.” We would usually take issue with the seemingly poor use of the word “literally” here, but precedent shows that it actually is possible […]

Why is pop bad for you? Diet and regular sodas have both been linked to obesity, kidney damage, and certain cancers. Regular soft drinks have been linked to elevated blood pressure. Can Coke damage your stomach? Drinking excessive amounts of diet soda can sometimes affect the lining of the stomach. “Over time, it can get […]

Does Fire Insurance Pay arson? Arson is a crime while a fire due to a natural cause is not. One standard provision of fire insurance policies would be the exclusion of fires caused by arson. This means that when your property is damaged due to arson, you will not be entitled to collect any proceeds […]

Why is reflection important in writing? Reflective writing gives you the chance think about what you are doing more deeply and to learn from your experience. Writing your thoughts down makes it easier for you to think about them and make connections between what you are thinking, what you are being taught and what you […]