Why?

2021-09-29 13:33:01 WHY do we like specific smells?

In most cases, the emotions of specific smells (gasoline, paint, solvent, glue) are influenced by our positive memories and associations.

Yet, some chemicals, such as the aromatic hydrocarbons found in gasoline, may cause euphoria when inhaled in small quantities. Открыть/Комментировать

2021-09-28 18:11:31 WHY are snails dangerous?

Nearly 10,000 people per year die from interactions with them

Ordinary freshwater snails are carriers of schistosomiasis. Such a disease is caused by worms. What's more, it can result in death. Открыть/Комментировать

2021-09-27 14:03:06 WHY is yawning contagious?

Experts have conducted plenty of studies on this subject and concluded that the most common response to yawning is a sign of sympathy for a person.

As it turns out, the contagiousness of yawning has psychological reasons. It is easier to catch yawning a person who is more prone to making connections with others. Otherwise, the more sociable a person is, the more often he yawns "for the ride".

By the way, indomitable yawning is the most frequent cause of jaw dislocation. Открыть/Комментировать

2021-09-26 15:11:03 WHY does the filament in a light bulb not burn out?

Thin metal wire gets so heated by the electric current that it glows. And yet, the wire may last for several years and not burn out.

The reason is that there is no oxygen inside the bulb needed for it to burn. In addition, the bulb is filled with a gas that quenches the flame. Открыть/Комментировать

2021-09-25 14:30:23 WHY you shouldn't drink water with hot pepper?

The alkaloid capsaicin adds spice to peppers. It is insoluble in water. Therefore, it doesn't make sense to "put out" a fire in the mouth with water.

Although it dissolves well in spirits and fats. Meanwhile, alcohol, milk, sour cream, and even ice cream may help. Открыть/Комментировать

2021-09-24 16:07:04 WHY do the Germans read numbers backwards?

By the end of the 15th century, Arabic numerals became common in written German. They were recommended to be read from left to right. But when numbers didn't exist, the Germans always wrote units first (one dash for 1, two dashes for 2) and only then - tens (X - 10).

As an example, the notation IXX used to read "one and twenty".

The Germans still have such a peculiarity. Previously, writers and mathematicians were constantly pointing out the problem of the distorted transmission of numbers. But all their attempts to do anything about it were suppressed from above. Открыть/Комментировать

2021-09-23 15:11:04 WHY doesn't ice sink?

The only water crystal modification existing under the conditions of our planet is the hexagonal syngony.

This chemical structure has a lower density than water as a liquid.

It only occurs under natural conditions. Scientists have already found out that ice has 5 amorphous varieties and 17 crystalline modifications. Открыть/Комментировать

2021-09-22 10:09:55 WHY does white piece go first in chess?

No, racism has nothing to do with it...

Until now, there is no exact answer as to why whites move first. The first mention of the chess game is dated back to 2.5 thousand years ago, the rules of the game gradually evolved over time.

At first the game was called "Chaturanga" and played by 4 people at the same time. The pieces were black, green, yellow and red.

With the passage of time, the number of participants was reduced to two, and the figures were black and yellow. Yellow was soon replaced by white.

Black is thought to be the color of sadness, the color of what is going away. White is the color of life, the color of what is just beginning. Открыть/Комментировать

2021-09-12 15:29:13 WHY was the Red Sea named as such?

Back in the 5th century BC, the ancient Greek scholar Herodotus called the sea "Eritrean," translated from Ancient Greek as red.

One hypothesis claims that the name refers to the algae Trichodesmium erythraeum, which is rich in red pigment.

But some scientists believe that the name corresponds to the southern direction, which symbolizes the red color. Открыть/Комментировать