Questions tagged [everyday-life]
Concerns the application of the laws of physics to analyze common situations encountered in everyday life.
423
questions
48
votes
1
answer
8k
views
Why do earphone wires always get tangled up in pocket?
What is the reason?
Is it caused by their narrow shape, the soft material, walking vibration or something else?
- 1,302
40
votes
4
answers
26k
views
Why are stars white?
That is may be an easy question, but I am not a professional. The Sun is a star, and when I look at the Sun it is usually yellow. Why are stars in the sky at night white?
I suppose it could be due to ...
- 775
18
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Why are so many different types of objects white, yet appear gray when they are wet?
There are many things with different textures that appear white – salt, beer foam, paper, shaving cream, snow, talcum powder, white paint, etc. The most common answer is all of the frequencies must be ...
- 235
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Why do wheels appear to revolve opposite to the direction they are rotating?
When viewing cars that are driving along side of us, sometimes their wheels appear to be turning backwards even though they are traveling in the same direction as our car. Why do they look that way?
- 715
8
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Microwaves: why do they cook food?
I have looked up several explanations of microwaves and how they work but I am unclear on a few key parts of how they actually make the food hotter.
How I understand it now:
In addition to the light ...
- 83
52
votes
1
answer
25k
views
Why does paper become translucent when smeared with oil but not (so much) with water?
When I smear oil onto a scrap of paper and rub it in, the paper becomes quite translucent; but when I attempt the same with water it doesn't as much. Why?
- 13.1k
42
votes
12
answers
122k
views
Does car tire pressure change with weight of car load?
Does tire pressure measured by a meter on tire gauge change with load? (I am not interested in pressure produced by car tires onto the road).
Car spec usually says "inflate to 220kPa normal load, ...
- 522
24
votes
3
answers
20k
views
Squinting at street lights
Simple question, I've always wanted to know the answer to this.
Why do you see a pair of lines radiating out from street lights when you squint at them? I can't think of a better way to describe what ...
user5335
20
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Why is the sky dark at night? [duplicate]
The question is the well-known Olbers' paradox:
If there are so many/infinite stars, in every direction, why is it dark at night? Where goes all the light we don't see?
Discussing with a friend ...
- 465
19
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Why does one get an illusion as moon following him?
When you run or ride bike at night if you observe the moon you feel like he moves along with you as the same speed you are going. Why?
- 1,633
17
votes
5
answers
14k
views
What causes a soccer ball to follow a curved path?
Soccer players kick the ball in a linear kick, though you find it to turn sideways, not even in one direction. Just mid air it changes that curve's direction, i.e., it swings, as footballers say. Is ...
- 173
10
votes
2
answers
10k
views
Why does a balloon spiral in the air instead of moving in a straight line?
When an air-filled balloon is released without its opening tied up, it moves in a circular path rather than a straight line. Why is that?
10
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why don't we see solar and lunar eclipses often?
Since we see the new moon at least once in a month when the Moon gets in between of the Sun and the Earth during the evening ( and as far as I know if this happens during the day, you'll get to see a ...
- 103
140
votes
28
answers
30k
views
How can you weigh your own head in an accurate way?
I read some methods but they're not accurate. They use the Archimedes principle and they assume uniform body density which of course is far from true. Others are silly like this one:
Take a knife ...
- 3,043
74
votes
5
answers
34k
views
Why is water clear?
Water appears transparent to visible light, yet most other objects are opaque. Why is that? Is there an explanation why water appears transparent?
Is water transparent at all wavelengths, or are ...
- 983