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Popular Science/Questions Answered by Expert Tom Whiting
| Subject | Date Asked |
| steam on mirror | 12/5/2011 |
| Q: When steam only appears on a bathroom mirror after I'm done with a bath and have opened the door, is ... A: Water vapor in the air measures from a trace, to up to about 4% maximum, see ... | |
| steam on mirror | 12/5/2011 |
| Q: When steam only appears on a bathroom mirror after I'm done with a bath and have opened the door, is ... A: There is no pressure/temperature change involved like we see with cloud formation outside. As stated ... | |
| H20 splitted up? | 12/3/2011 |
| Q: I do not understand how H20 -> H2 + O2. I have checked many websites and still do not understand. ... A: The water molecule can also be written HOH which is actually more accurate, so the actual chemical ... | |
| water vapor | 11/10/2011 |
| Q: Is there fundamentally any difference between water vapor that stems from hot water (such as running ... A: In addition to that, closed, non-air conditioned spaces filled with people, heat from computers and ... | |
| water vapor | 11/3/2011 |
| Q: Is there fundamentally any difference between water vapor that stems from hot water (such as running ... A: Technically, what you see coming off hot water is not 'vapor', but tiny, condensed liquid water ... | |
| gravity | 10/22/2011 |
| Q: do you know a valid argument for the statement that objects are attracted by earth according to the ... A: I'm not sure how you define "attracted" but Isaac Newton thought that gravity was a force, able to ... | |
| Time and our perception of it | 10/18/2011 |
| Q: I am very curious about your thoughts on time and perception. Specifically whether our perception of ... A: The Schumann resonance has nothing to do with time passage or the perception of time, see ... | |
| General stupidity | 9/25/2011 |
| Q: Being under the affluence of incohol and being a quartyer past two in the am here I get to thinking ... A: No, there is no up and down in deep space... we went out to the moon, not UP to the moon. So there ... | |
| atmospheric oxygen | 9/23/2011 |
| Q: Does the level of oxygen concentration in the air vary throughout the day? I'm wondering if it drops ... A: Yes, that 4000 extra miles applies to the moon, sun, stars... everything outside our atmosphere. (It ... | |
| atmospheric oxygen | 9/22/2011 |
| Q: Does the level of oxygen concentration in the air vary throughout the day? I'm wondering if it drops ... A: No, the amount (concentration of 20.8%) of diatomic oxygen stays the same throughout the time of day ... | |
| moisture distribution in air | 9/17/2011 |
| Q: In a still room (no air or heat or fans running), is the water vapor in the air evenly distributed ... A: Even though the molecular weight of water vapor is 18, and air averages 29; I don't know, but I ... | |
| Effect of Solar Flare Activity on Communications | 8/15/2011 |
| Q: I am in the process of writing a novel. It is primarily a social satire, but I want to include as ... A: Make contact with us... How? Teleportation, Quantum field change, lasers, old fashioned TV or radio ... | |
| water vapor | 8/8/2011 |
| Q: Is the molecular structure of water vapor the same as liquid water (H2O), or does it leave something ... A: Yes, the water molecule as a vapor is the same as in liquid water... there is nothing "left behind" ... | |
| evaporative coolers | 7/18/2011 |
| Q: Does running an evaporative cooler create a lower indoor-than-outdoor barometric pressure? (By ... A: Since water mole wt. is 18 and air is heavier at 29, yes theoretically the indoor pressure should be ... | |
| sound waves | 7/7/2011 |
| Q: I found them helpful. I hope it's okay to ask another one in the same day. I was wondering if when ... A: Just guessing here, as I've never heard a blink... but in theory, with any motion (in air) it should ... | |
| sound | 7/7/2011 |
| Q: When a guitar is played the strings vibrate causing the air particles around them to vibrate, which ... A: Yes, that's what it is... vibrations (waves) travel through the solids and liquids, however there is ... | |
| sound | 7/4/2011 |
| Q: When a guitar is played the strings vibrate causing the air particles around them to vibrate, which ... A: In all those examples, yes, the air is set into vibration by the motion of the solids (animal skin ... | |
| Science | 6/23/2011 |
| Q: Can't the force, responsible for keeping the planets in their orbit, be the same as, the one which ... A: No. Gravity works at the macro-level (gravity is over the large distance), whereas the ... | |
| evaporation & cooling | 6/20/2011 |
| Q: For evaporation to cool the air, does the water that's evaporating have to be cooler than the ... A: No. But it is more related to the dew point temperature, (temperature at which the air is fully ... | |
| Atmosphere and Ocean Color | 6/20/2011 |
| Q: I was trying to figure out the answer to the old question of "Why is the sky blue?" when I came ... A: Yes, that is correct about the blue sky color. Water is different in that the color you perceive ... | |
| dehumidifiers | 6/17/2011 |
| Q: I've read that the act of condensation cools the surrounding air, but I've found that just briefly ... A: You've read wrongly. The reverse process, evaporation (not act, process), IS the cooling process. ... | |
| popular science magazine | 6/4/2011 |
| Q: How realistic, and accurate are popular science magazine's articles AND: is there much chance of ... A: Sorry but I don't read "popular science" magazines, so you would have to mention or describe a ... | |
| solar flares... | 4/21/2011 |
| Q: I am by no stretch of the imagination one of the many doomsday sayers or Mayan calendar fanatics ... A: Yes, you seem to be more level headed than others in these fields. I'll try to level you out even ... | |
| Questions | 3/10/2011 |
| Q: I absolutley love the universe, and think it is the most interesting subject out there. Out of ... A: 1. No one really knows, because no one was around 4.5 billion years ago. However, since there is no ... | |
| stars | 2/16/2011 |
| Q: when and how does a star start to die? A: A star starts to die (like humans) on the day it's born. Its using up its hydrogen supply of gas ... | |
| Top of the World | 2/1/2011 |
| Q: From pictures of the earth from space we can see that the north pole is roughly on top of the world. ... A: There is no "up or down" in space... you could orient a picture of the Earth from space any which ... | |
| Earth's rotation | 1/29/2011 |
| Q: What is a evidence of earth's rotation? Does an airplane flying at the standard height of around ... A: No, because the atmosphere also is traveling along with the Earth's rotation speed. So airplanes in ... | |
| boiling water with a lid | 1/28/2011 |
| Q: Does water boil faster with a lid? A simple but perplexing question. In my kitchen, I compared the ... A: I would think that a lid should shorten the boiling time slightly, not because of pressure, but the ... | |
| Atmosphere | 1/26/2011 |
| Q: Is there a level of the atmosphere where, if something (an object) like a sheet of newspaper were to ... A: Well, if it's just cremation ashes, I would think it could be done with some sort of rocket; perhaps ... | |
| Is there a good reason? | 1/23/2011 |
| Q: Is there any good reason to believe that December 21, 2012 is doomsday? A: NO, unless you and your family (and country) are currently using the Mayan calendar. The rest of us ... | |
| Atmosphere | 1/21/2011 |
| Q: Is there a level of the atmosphere where, if something (an object) like a sheet of newspaper were to ... A: Well, on your original question, you said 'atmosphere', not satellite orbits or space. That's a ... | |
| Atmosphere | 1/21/2011 |
| Q: Is there a level of the atmosphere where, if something (an object) like a sheet of newspaper were to ... A: No, because everything is in motion and either moving up or down or horizontally. Daily temperature ... | |
| chemistry | 1/15/2011 |
| Q: what would you see happen if you stored hydrochloric acid in an iron container. A: I'm not a chemist, but I believe HCl dissolves Fe (iron) quite readily, see ... | |
| macro-evolution nonsense | 1/11/2011 |
| Q: For all evolutionists out there this challenge should NOT be a problem. "Assume any primordial soup ... A: While we don't quite understand (as yet) the full actual "analytical mechanism" (wait another ... | |
| Steam creation. | 1/5/2011 |
| Q: I am trying to make the simplest cheapest low-tech steam engine possible. Is there a water mixture ... A: I don't have access to your drawing. But as I did before, I'll remind you that you can't get ... | |
| science | 12/15/2010 |
| Q: I will like to know how many miles does it takes from earth to reach the moon the same in quarters? A: The moon is in a very elliptical (egg-shaped) orbit around the Earth, so the AVERAGE distance to the ... | |
| physics | 12/9/2010 |
| Q: a person lying on a mattress in the ocean rises and falls through one complete cycle every 5.5 ... A: Doesn't frequency equal 1/time of one wave? So 1 divided by 5.5 seconds = a frequency of 0.181818 ... | |
| A bubble in Space | 12/7/2010 |
| Q: If you blew a bubble in space would it pop? A: First, a human could not even get to blow a bubble in space... the question pre-supposes that your ... | |
| Question about dimensions | 10/3/2010 |
| Q: I am trying to understand dimensions. I read that 1 is measuring length. The 2nd is measuring width. ... A: In our macroworld there are 3 linear dimensions (length, width, height (or depth) and one non-linear ... | |
| basic fluids question | 10/2/2010 |
| Q: if a rubber hose is attached to funnel and the free end is bent around to point up when we put water ... A: This is not really my primary field of interest, But....I'll try. Not necessarily... that tiny bit ... | |
| classifing things | 9/2/2010 |
| Q: plastic bags are now more common than paper bags.why? A: People (mainly Americans) unfortunately like the convenience and ease of carrying them instead of ... | |
| elements in space | 8/25/2010 |
| Q: First of all what is space composed of? what are the major elements? Secondly I know i'm only ... A: Space is composed of 3 spacial dimensions, and time, plus lots of stars, dust, and energy waves. As ... | |
| Black Hole Inconsistency | 8/24/2010 |
| Q: Tom! I've been here before, and I think you answered another ques. before. - I guess this is really ... A: All matter in a star is ALL gas, (liquid and solid cannot exist at those temperatures and pressures) ... | |
| Black Hole Inconsistency | 8/23/2010 |
| Q: Tom! I've been here before, and I think you answered another ques. before. - I guess this is really ... A: Well, obviously by definition, the light and energy you're seeing is NOT coming from inside the ... | |
| transformation of black holes | 8/18/2010 |
| Q: Can a black hole go under any kind of further transformation? A: The only thing a normal black hole seems to do is either grow still more massive by 'eating' more ... | |
| UFOs as alien spacecraft | 8/2/2010 |
| Q: What percent of scientists believe in UFOs as alien spacecraft? Thanks. A: I don't know about the entire scientific community... I can only speak for astronomers and my own ... | |
| problems | 7/16/2010 |
| Q: what are the main problems facing humanity that could be solved by physics A: You'll have to state the "main problems" that you foresee, because maybe the ones I see aren't the ... | |
| Van Allen Radiation Belt | 6/25/2010 |
| Q: I have read that the earth’s magnetic poles flip every 5 thousand to 50 million years, and our last ... A: Yes, we could experience a magnetic pole reversal at any time; as you said, it's happened many times ... | |
| 2012 | 5/3/2010 |
| Q: Will the world end in 2012? Please back up your statements with 20 or more reliable references. ... A: .. I assume you're speaking of the "end" of the Mayan calendar so-called event of 12/21/2012? Did ... | |
| smoke flows towards human body | 4/19/2010 |
| Q: I have seen many times when there is a smoke from a cigarette around me, it's attracted to me, ... A: I am currently smoking a cigarette while sitting in a calm, windless, living room while I'm at the ... | |
| Can we still trust science? | 3/14/2010 |
| Q: Suppose someone were to put electrodes in our brains and stimulate the visual part of our brains ... A: Isn't the results of the past 400 years proof enough? Doesn't the Earth a planet revolve around a ... | |
| Can we still trust science? | 3/14/2010 |
| Q: Suppose someone were to put electrodes in our brains and stimulate the visual part of our brains ... A: Joe, It hasn't. No, science is NOT a 'belief' or a "himself" as you state above...it's a methodology ... | |
| Can we still trust science? | 3/14/2010 |
| Q: Suppose someone were to put electrodes in our brains and stimulate the visual part of our brains ... A: Joe, We do perceive the world directly, in fact, more than directly. We extend our sensory ... | |
| Have you heard of these temperature scales | 3/13/2010 |
| Q: Have you heard of these temperature scales (Rankine, Delisle, Newton, Réaumur, Rømer) before you saw ... A: No, they appear to be correct, although you really don't need them to convert the 4 conventional ... | |
| Have you heard of these temperature scales | 3/13/2010 |
| Q: Have you heard of these temperature scales (Rankine, Delisle, Newton, Réaumur, Rømer) before you saw ... A: I've heard (and used the first four...F, C, Absolute, and Rankine... the latter being used in ... | |
| beginning of life | 3/10/2010 |
| Q: why is it difficult to find out how life began in the universe? 3 or 4 reasons? A: You mean how life began on the Earth, because at the present time, we're the only known body that ... | |
| if everyone jumped at once. | 3/10/2010 |
| Q: if everyone on the planet went to a specific point on earth, and jumped as hard as they can, will ... A: No. First, the Earth is not "balanced"... it's a spinning gyroscope which maintains an axial tilt of ... | |
| Refrigerator | 2/17/2010 |
| Q: I have a new refrigerator. It's a small unit, so I have to place the plastic milk jug on its side, ... A: I can't believe it's a pinhole in the plastic carton, so it must be a non-air tight fit on the lid; ... | |
| question.... | 2/9/2010 |
| Q: 1. Is the actual amount of material in an object called mass? 2. If gas is heated does its molecules ... A: Since we typically aren't to do homework questions, I'll just tackle your #1. Definition of mass ... | |
| Earth Impact | 2/8/2010 |
| Q: Can scientists not tell how long the aftermath of an impact will last before the Earth becomes ... A: That size impact closely parallels the K-T extinction impact of 65 million years ago, which you can ... | |
| Earth impact | 2/7/2010 |
| Q: How long would it take the Earth to recover from the multiple impact of a fragmented comet like ... A: It's really hard to tell, we have so few examples and none from the modern day except the Tunguska ... | |
| Near impact | 12/29/2009 |
| Q: What celestial body such as an asteroid, comet or meteor could cause catastrophic global climate ... A: I have no idea because I don't think any studies like that have ever been done. Generally if it's a ... | |
| Near impact | 12/29/2009 |
| Q: What celestial body such as an asteroid, comet or meteor could cause catastrophic global climate ... A: None known, none exist in our Solar System. The largest Asteroid, 1 Ceres, at about 600 miles in ... | |
| mixed astronomical and physics question about forces | 12/6/2009 |
| Q: the 4 fundamental forces in the universe are weak /strong nuclear force- electromagnetic and ... A: I'm no physicist, and perhaps you can get another answer from a real physicist...but I believe your ... | |
| bibliography | 11/29/2009 |
| Q: i need to know how to write a science bibliography. i looked at all the websites i can thank of but ... A: A bibliography is a listing of books and research papers, known information that you have used in ... | |
| Queston about movie 2012 | 11/27/2009 |
| Q: in the movie 2012, earthquakes in the ocean make tidal waves. Watching the movie I was thinking that ... A: Yes, even the basic premise of the movie is all hogwash. I don't plan on seeing it. The Mayans ... | |
| Air Visability | 11/25/2009 |
| Q: I do not know if I am asking the right person or subject, but here it goes. Can air be seen? If so. ... A: Pure air, by definition, is an odorless, colorless, invisible gas at standard conditions of ... | |
| Planetary elongation, declination and effects on earth's orbit | 10/22/2009 |
| Q: Do other planets' elongation/declination conjunctions to each other cause any changes to or affect ... A: Over millions and billions of years, Yes, there can be slow, very minor changes, barely measureable. ... | |
| Can we see atoms? | 10/12/2009 |
| Q: Can we see atoms? If it is yes. How can we see them? A: Not with the naked eye of course, but yes, using either a field ion microscope, or a scanning ... | |
| Earth science and space | 10/7/2009 |
| Q: Given that, at the same time, on one side of the planet in country A it’s Summer and on the opposite ... A: No. On Jan 1st when it's winter in the United Kingdom (and the Northern Hemisphere) then it's ... | |
| science | 9/3/2009 |
| Q: what is the most modern model used to depict an atom A: The best I can determine is a tiny planet (nucleus) surrounded by an atmosphere, called the electron ... | |
| what really happens | 9/2/2009 |
| Q: is there any true things on what happens after somone dies?? i dont really beleive the religion ... A: Kind of an "off topic" question, isn't it? Be that as it may, the honest answer is.... no one ... | |
| Finding magnetic north | 7/15/2009 |
| Q: Tom, I would like to know a good method of determining aprox. magnetic north without using a ... A: Well, then you really want true north, not magnetic north. We only use magnetic north when there is ... | |
| Finding magnetic north | 7/14/2009 |
| Q: Tom, I would like to know a good method of determining aprox. magnetic north without using a ... A: I guess you could float a magnetized steel needle on a pan of still water (surface tension would ... | |
| Ice Engine | 7/11/2009 |
| Q: Will you please help me with some suggestions on how to build my invention, the ICE ENGINE? Here ... A: In theory, a very good idea - A (highest grade in the USA) for your effort. In practice, see #4 ... | |
| dark matter | 7/7/2009 |
| Q: What is dark matter? How it works? AnotherHow the earth revolve around the sun in an elliptical ... A: No one knows what dark matter is, as yet. (Even science cannot know the unknown). We only know ... | |
| Science | 6/21/2009 |
| Q: Is it possible to suspend a human between earth and space (if one did not move or do any other body ... A: Theoretically, and I guess actually, yes. It's possible to place a body (spacecraft) at the correct ... | |
| Uncertainity Principal | 6/8/2009 |
| Q: According to quantum theory, 'the universe originated as a bubble of false vacuum in quantum ... A: Yes, well I'm not making anything up...I recently read it somewheredealing with the Casimir Vacuum ... | |
| Uncertainity Principal | 6/8/2009 |
| Q: According to quantum theory, 'the universe originated as a bubble of false vacuum in quantum ... A: Brent, Well, we don't know for sure, but...I guess I could ask the reverse, how do we know that it ... | |
| passive solar energy and the impact of solar flares | 5/15/2009 |
| Q: Can you entertain a particular question regarding the affect of solar flares on passive solar energy ... A: Solar flares and other solar surface activity like CME's (Coronal Mass Ejections) which happen to ... | |
| Theories | 4/24/2009 |
| Q: Why is it important to continue to test the existing theories in science [mainly on the solar system ... A: Well, I sort of thought that it was a school question...sorry your teacher, or textbook, was so ... | |
| Theories | 4/23/2009 |
| Q: Why is it important to continue to test the existing theories in science [mainly on the solar system ... A: Specifically, what theories are you thinking about? I think we've pretty much proven that the sun is ... | |
| space | 4/9/2009 |
| Q: Is there any way that prevent black hole forming A: For size differential, our sun contains 99.86% of the mass in the Solar System, and we can fit about ... | |
| what seperates us from the other animals | 3/30/2009 |
| Q: by saying that the empty void have energy and since we have infinite empty void do we have infinite ... A: Well, as I said earlier, who says that other animals on the planet WANT to create stuff like that? ... | |
| what seperates us from the other animals | 3/30/2009 |
| Q: by saying that the empty void have energy and since we have infinite empty void do we have infinite ... A: Well, we're kind of getting out of my field of expertise here.... I'm not real strong on biology or ... | |
| negative energy of the nothing | 3/29/2009 |
| Q: by saying that the empty void have energy and since we have infinite empty void do we have infinite ... A: Yes, that is quite possible and has been already mentioned and thought of, that there are other "Big ... | |
| amore complex question | 3/28/2009 |
| Q: while you were answering my questions more than one time you referred to the big bang theory which ... A: So, what theory do you recommend? (Without invoking a theological event).....which is what a layman ... | |
| maximum height from earth, at which baloon went | 3/28/2009 |
| Q: tom whitting, i am munsif ali from pakistan. today, a question came to my mind, i.e. upto what ... A: On the internet, I found this article at ... | |
| amore complex question | 3/28/2009 |
| Q: while you were answering my questions more than one time you referred to the big bang theory which ... A: Doesn't matter how it happened, or how it came about, or what existed before the fact, or even what ... | |
| amore complex question | 3/27/2009 |
| Q: while you were answering my questions more than one time you referred to the big bang theory which ... A: We have no idea what's beyond the current known visible Universe (or it's unlikely we can ever find ... | |
| dark matter | 3/27/2009 |
| Q: I honestly don't know if its an astronomy subject or physics but i read that the void in space is ... A: Yes, stored anti-matter would make the ultimate bomb (or the ultimate rocket propulsion fuel - ... | |
| dark matter | 3/26/2009 |
| Q: I honestly don't know if its an astronomy subject or physics but i read that the void in space is ... A: Anti-matter is simply normal matter with a different charge, electrons (called positrons) are ... | |
| dark matter | 3/25/2009 |
| Q: I honestly don't know if its an astronomy subject or physics but i read that the void in space is ... A: Well, it's a combination of both physics and astronomy question. No one has any idea of what the ... | |
| More about black holes | 3/24/2009 |
| Q: I am really sorry to bother you with too many questions, but i am really interested in this subject ... A: Black holes don't form FROM a singularity, they become the singularity when a neutron star is ... | |
| Black Holes | 3/24/2009 |
| Q: Can you tell me about how they get formed and what is there properties and do they last forever or ... A: Yeah, but that high mass at the core of a black hole is a pinpoint...called a singularity. (So a ... | |
| Black Holes | 3/23/2009 |
| Q: Can you tell me about how they get formed and what is there properties and do they last forever or ... A: The mass of black holes varies, but all of them are very massive compared to our Earthly equivalents ... | |
| Black Holes | 3/23/2009 |
| Q: Can you tell me about how they get formed and what is there properties and do they last forever or ... A: Black holes form when a tremendous amount of mass is compressed and condensed beyond a critical ... | |
| 2012 | 3/14/2009 |
| Q: Do you think 2012 is the end of the world? I am scared about this topic. A: ABSOLUTELY NOT! Your fears are totally unfounded. Instead of reading scary websites and National ... | |
| time and lightspeed | 2/27/2009 |
| Q: If, for example, a star is 5 light years away and someone were to travel to it; the people on Earth ... A: The clock onboard the spacecraft going near light speed will slow down (relative to the Earth's ... | |
| time and lightspeed | 2/26/2009 |
| Q: If, for example, a star is 5 light years away and someone were to travel to it; the people on Earth ... A: For the person traveling to the star 5 ly distant (assumingthat they are up near light speed, say ... | |
| earth and space | 2/18/2009 |
| Q: what would happen if the Earth stood still? Thanks in advance for the answer ANSWER: Hi Bonnie, ... A: Ok, that's better (for a crazy and impossible thing to do...hypothetical question, because the Earth ... | |
| earth and space | 2/17/2009 |
| Q: what would happen if the Earth stood still? Thanks in advance for the answer A: Stand still with respect to revolution about the sun or "stand still" with respect to rotation about ... | |
| Time | 2/17/2009 |
| Q: Myself Yogesh Patwardhan, I am from India... I think & believe that time is nothing but a concept. ... A: Time is both a concept, a definition, and a real (not imaginary) physical quantity. And time is not ... | |
| time paradox | 2/14/2009 |
| Q: what is ans of enstines twin paradox?? A: The Einstein twin paradox isn't really a paradox, it's something that actually would happen IF we ... | |
| gravity | 2/10/2009 |
| Q: why there is gravity and why gravity cannot be reversed? A: Using Einstein's General Relativity (circa 1919) gravity is caused by the presence of a mass, ... | |
| volcano | 2/4/2009 |
| Q: a major volcano and earthquake are encircles the ------- ocean what ocean A: You mean the word "area", not 'are'.... Encircles the PACIFIC Ocean, also called the "Ring of ... | |
| weight comparisons | 12/31/2008 |
| Q: in pounds, what would be be the equivalent of 535 pounds on earth to the planet Mars A: Mars is a rather small planet of only 4200 miles in diameter compared to the Earth's about 8000 mile ... | |
| Dirt | 11/29/2008 |
| Q: When you dig a hole, how is it there is never enough dirt to fill the hole, even when you place ... A: Perhaps you wait too long to return the dirt, and it dries out (loses moisture) somewhat. I would ... | |
| ice | 11/11/2008 |
| Q: one night i had some ice in a glass. on waking the ice was still intact,or at least some of it.can ... A: Well, maybe you didn't sleep that long. On the other hand, both glass and water are good insulators. ... | |
| science experiment measuring temperature of golf ball | 11/10/2008 |
| Q: My son is doing an experiment for science class. He wants to see if the temperature of a golf ball ... A: Actually there IS a device that can determine the temperature of a golf ball (or anything ... | |
| science experiment measuring temperature of golf ball | 11/10/2008 |
| Q: My son is doing an experiment for science class. He wants to see if the temperature of a golf ball ... A: Travel? By what means? Hit by a trusting (Ha!) human with a golf club? Dropped from an airplane? ... | |
| NATURAL SCIENCE | 10/7/2008 |
| Q: WHY AN OBJECT ALONG THE MERIDIAN IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE IS DEFLECTED TO THE LEFT? A: It's all due to the Coriolis effect, because the Earth rotates, see ... | |
| specific gravity | 9/19/2008 |
| Q: What is the specific gravity of the dead sea? I read it is 30% saline and I know you float like a ... A: I simply googled 'Specific Gravity of Dead Sea' and came up with several results, the most promising ... | |
| Universe | 8/23/2008 |
| Q: Is universe finite? I know that Ainstain proved that and also is all the content in the universe ... A: Einstein never mentioned that our Universe was finite....he stated that he originally thought it was ... | |
| Do our senses really perceive the real world? | 7/9/2008 |
| Q: I have read article from some webiste...and I have some issue concerning the existence of science ... A: There are actually two world systems, the laws of the macroworld (gravity, our typical physics and ... | |
| Do our senses really perceive the real world? | 7/8/2008 |
| Q: I have read article from some webiste...and I have some issue concerning the existence of science ... A: (Why did I initially think this question was from you?) Ok, rather than using science, I'll put the ... | |
| MAINTAINING A HUMAN IN FIXED HORIZONTAL POSITION IN ZERO GRAVITY | 7/6/2008 |
| Q: IS IT POSSIBLE TO CREATE A ZERO GRAVITY CONDITION AND POSITION A HUMAN HORIZONTALLY AND KEEP THE ... A: Best of luck with the patent....I only ever had one, a telescope simulator, but I never did anything ... | |
| MAINTAINING A HUMAN IN FIXED HORIZONTAL POSITION IN ZERO GRAVITY | 7/6/2008 |
| Q: IS IT POSSIBLE TO CREATE A ZERO GRAVITY CONDITION AND POSITION A HUMAN HORIZONTALLY AND KEEP THE ... A: Unfortunately your view of natural gravity is about 90 years old; with Einstein's General ... | |
| MAINTAINING A HUMAN IN FIXED HORIZONTAL POSITION IN ZERO GRAVITY | 7/6/2008 |
| Q: IS IT POSSIBLE TO CREATE A ZERO GRAVITY CONDITION AND POSITION A HUMAN HORIZONTALLY AND KEEP THE ... A: On Earth? No. In space, yes, but not for an indefinite time, like at the International Space ... | |
| Hydrogen | 7/4/2008 |
| Q: How many amount of Hydrogen gas can evolute when 1 ton of sea water by electrolysis? A: One ton (english) is 2000 pounds which is 909 Kg. Water is molecular weight of 18 (Oxygen is 16, ... | |
| Does every human taste receptor work differently? Do we enjoy the same kind of taste sensation? | 7/1/2008 |
| Q: I understand no human taste receptor work exactly the same,does all the normal human taste receptor ... A: I again, would have to answer your new question the exact same way as the previous one. As there is ... | |
| What is light? | 6/30/2008 |
| Q: Ive been trying to explain to my 3 kids EXACTLY what light is, or is made of, or how it works, and ... A: ... Tough to answer this question for a child. Basically light is a massless particle, which acts ... | |
| Does every human taste receptor work differently? Do we enjoy the same kind of taste sensation? | 6/30/2008 |
| Q: I understand no human taste receptor work exactly the same,does all the normal human taste receptor ... A: Would there really be a definitive way (test) of knowing whether the taste and flavor of one person ... | |
| Why metal heats faster than wood or plastic | 4/8/2008 |
| Q: My 2nd grader has a homework problem. We put a wood spoon, a metal spoon and a plastic spoon in hot ... A: All substances are either good conductors of energy or good non- conductors of energy (as some are ... | |
| wood vs metal when heated | 3/23/2008 |
| Q: I want to put a fence around a wood burning stove. Is it going to be cooler to use wood, metal or a ... A: Well, there is also the small safety factor of burning your house down too. So I think screens are ... | |
| circumference | 3/19/2008 |
| Q: What is the circumference from pole to pole? A: Polar diameter is 12,714 Km or very close to 7900 miles. (12714 Km x .6214 km/mile = 7900 miles). ... | |
| equator | 3/19/2008 |
| Q: What is the tilt of the equator? A: Relative to what? The moon? The plane of the Milky Way? The Ecliptic Plane (which is the same as ... | |
| Rock and Water Cycles | 3/4/2008 |
| Q: How does Earth look different because of the rock and water cycles? How do these cycles affect ... A: Well, with the water cycle, a water molecule doesn't change except for it's phase, from liquid to ... | |
| Rock and Water Cycles | 3/2/2008 |
| Q: How does Earth look different because of the rock and water cycles? How do these cycles affect ... A: In reverse order, it's our weather, our atmosphere and ocean currents, and to some minor extent, ... | |
| science | 2/21/2008 |
| Q: explain how 2 species can compete for the same resorce even if they never come in contct with each ... A: Lots of examples in nature...grizzly bears like to fish for salmon in the streams, and humans like ... | |
| satelite | 2/20/2008 |
| Q: i was wondering your opinion about the falling spy satelite? i have not heard much speculation about ... A: Well, to begin with, don't lose any sleep over it. The world is 70% oceans, so all the odds would ... | |
| science | 2/19/2008 |
| Q: what are heavenly bodies?why is pluto not considered a planet?why do stars twinkle? A: Heavenly bodies are just a general name for all bodies in space; stars, planets, moons, comets, ... | |
| physics | 2/11/2008 |
| Q: Disregarding physical bounds, if one were to extend a straw or a tube from sealevel up into space, ... A: Yes, temporarily, but it would not be able to suck air out into space, if that's what you are ... | |
| Inside earth | 1/30/2008 |
| Q: I know it is impossible to do this because of the heat etc, but what would happen if you could ... A: It's not just the heat that makes it impossible. It's the plastic, ductile nature of the upper ... | |
| How fast does Earth travel | 1/29/2008 |
| Q: How long does it take the earth to make one revolution round the sun? It takes it almost 3651 days. ... A: Obviously a misprint or typo error. Someone probably forgot the /4 after the one. The real answer, ... | |
| stratospheric ozone (follow-up) | 1/27/2008 |
| Q: Ozone has a molecular weight of around 48 while oxygen molecule 36. So, why do O3 molecules, instead ... A: Yes, ozone is very temporary because it is such a reactive and unstable molecule. As far as falling, ... | |
| stratospheric ozone | 1/27/2008 |
| Q: Ozone has a molecular weight of around 48 while oxygen molecule 36. So, why do O3 molecules, instead ... A: In theory, you are correct, but ozone is formed when free oxygen atoms (O) react with oxygen gas ... | |
| Solar winds | 1/17/2008 |
| Q: Hey, can solar winds kill humans on earth or effect them? My interest started when a couple of guys ... A: The solar wind is high energy particles and radiation emitted by the sun. We on the Earth are ... | |
| time | 1/1/2008 |
| Q: Is there a word for the same time of the same day. (12:15 am on December 15) or for the same age ... A: Yes, the word is "coincidental" or, by coincidence. Realize all this stuff, our number system, ... | |
| Viscosity/properties of fluids | 12/28/2007 |
| Q: why does molasses move slowly A: Viscosity is directly related to the molecular attraction and bonding of the individual molecules. ... | |
| Calender | 12/19/2007 |
| Q: How often are there five Fridays in February? A: Well, just using simple logic and not cheating and looking at past calendars, we know it could only ... | |
| Orbiting satellites vs meteor showers | 12/11/2007 |
| Q: I have a question about something that has always been in the back of my mind but I didn't know who ... A: Excellent question! Yes, you may want to mark your calendar, or just memorize them...the best ... | |
| seasons and temp. | 12/11/2007 |
| Q: Which factor play more of a role in determining the seasons? (Tilt of the earth's axis or the ... A: Yes, your textbook is correct....the tilt of the Earth's axis of 23.5 degrees from the vertical, ... | |
| atmospheric pressure | 12/3/2007 |
| Q: hypothetically speaking, if there were no water in the oceans, would the human body be able to cope ... A: Well, I'm not an expert on human body physiology, but being located 8 or 9 miles below sea level, ... | |
| salt vs regular water | 11/24/2007 |
| Q: my grandson has a Science project on measuring boiling salt and regular water and I would like to ... A: .. Just about any kind of thermometer can be used for pure water and salty water, as long as the ... | |
Tom Whiting
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer most questions involving general science and engineering, except those involving electronics and computers. My strong points are all the Earth Sciences, especially Meteorology and Astronomy, and any related subjects to Astronomy. My weak point is Electronics Technology. No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO identifications.
Experience
My hobby has been Astronomy for over 50 years. I currently ownand use a 30 inch portable telescope. I taught at the University Level for 13 years. My personal interest in life, in general, has always been science oriented.
Organizations
President - Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.Member of allexperts.com astronomy catagory for over 8 years.
Publications
Astronomy Technology TodayErie Times Newspaper - I wrote the "Over Erie Skies" columnfor 11 years.
Education/Credentials
BS Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PAAlso retired USAF pilot, 20 years.
Awards and Honors
I was the discoverer of the Mini-Coathanger Asterism up in Ursa Minor. I earned 6 Air Medals with USAF and retired after 20 years of service with the rank of Major, with over 2100 hours flying time.I also earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1956.
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