The random question thread.

[matty-hodgson]

I had a bit of an idea for a thread before, so I decided I'd post it up and see if anyone wants to take part, it's all just for fun.

Basically, you post a random question about something you've always wondered but never bothered to find out and see if someone else can answer that question for you. There doesn't have to be any order. Nothing like "answer mine then ask your own".

And there's just one rule:
No googling of the answer to appear as smart .


So I'll start with my question - Why is the sky blue?

[TheAnimus]

Because Jesus makes it so.

Why did the pope cover up so much child abuse?

[MadduckUK]

why don't they take pistachios out of the shells before selling them in the mainstream

[Stephen C]

Why do birds suddenly appear?

[Disturbedguy]

If I were gay...what kind of gay would I be?

[0iD]

If I were gay...what kind of gay would I be?

Who shall I vote for in the General Election?

[Lanky123]

So I'll start with my question - Why is the sky blue?

Because different wavelengths of light interact differently with the atmosphere. The example that most people would recognise is the ozone layer being particularly good at absorbing UV rays, but being transparent to the majority of visible light.

I am not sure of the specific particles or frequency bands involved (damn your no googling rule!), but in general the atmosphere scatters the blue end of the spectrum (shorter wavelength) more than the red (longer wavelength). Light moves in straight lines so the only way you see light coming from the atmosphere is if it has been scattered and so deflected back towards you from the sun. This causes you to see the blue light scattered from the atmosphere and gives the sun itself more of a yellow-red tinge. Look up Rayleigh Scattering for more info.

Sorry to have derailed the thread with such a serious answer.

Now, my question. Why do I never feel the need to go to sleep until I really should be waking up!?

[MadduckUK]

Who shall I vote for in the General Election?

BNP, just to make Cozwin have a fit

[matty-hodgson]

Why is the sky pink at night then? Is there an explanation for that?

[MadduckUK]

Why is the sky pink at night then? Is there an explanation for that?

to delight sailors

[Englander]

Particularly closer to the equator, the light travels a greater distance through the atmosphere which subsequently results in longer wavelengths being scattered more, hence the more pinky/reddy tinge.

If I'm not mistaken, at least.

[Tumble]

Why is the sky pink at night then? Is there an explanation for that?

Street lights reflecting off the clouds. A proper clear night sky is still a bit blue. Also, it's blue because it's mostly made of Nitrogen ~ 70% in fact. The sky on Mars is pink, because it's mostly CO2, and very thin, so it reflects the rock's colour quite well.


Anyhoo - my question...


Are there gay bees? and if so, what proportion of the hive would be gay?

[MadduckUK]

Are there gay bees? and if so, what proportion of the hive would be gay?

maybe, and too much, that's why there is a shortage of bees now - they are all moving to Brighton

[G4Z]

Why is it sometimes I can be walking home fine no problem, definitely not needing to piss but the second I step into the house I am bursting like I haven't been in 4 days?

[finlay666]

Why is it sometimes I can be walking home fine no problem, definitely not needing to piss but the second I step into the house I am bursting like I haven't been in 4 days?

skanky pub toilet syndrome

My question.. two men are standing outside identical doors, one door leads to paradise, the other will see a swift kick to the groin. One of the men always lies, the other always tells the truth, you do not know which is lying and which is telling the truth.

You can only ask one question to one man, what do you ask in order to know which door leads to paradise?

[MadduckUK]

why do i get a lob-on on the train