Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2010 August 19

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August 19

drugs

what is (if there is) the difference between methaphedmine and amphedmine? Is "ice" amphedime or methamphedimeKnowledge4k (talk) 11:54, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

Amphetamine and methamphetamine are closely related chemicals (the latter has a methyl group that the former does not). The effects of the two (compare amphetamine#Effects and methamphetamine#Effects) are pretty similar. When such substances are illicitly made, it's common for poor quality control to result in a batch actually containing a range of related compounds rather than the single desired one, rendering the already complex matter of how such a substance interacts with the body yet less predictable. Meth is commonly known as (among other things) "ice", although in Australia 4-Methylaminorex is also called "ice". -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 12:25, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

most powerful guns in the world

whatcha got? --Baysean (talk) 13:22, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

Project HARP, Project Babylon -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 13:25, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

See Supergun in general. -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 13:26, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

Though if you mean, "something you could use at relatively small distances," miniguns are pretty impressive in terms of their rate of fire, and the GAU-8 Avenger is a pretty neat piece of machinery. --Mr.98 (talk) 14:12, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

It's hard to beat nuclear artillery. You could even use a gun-type shell for extra credit. --Sean 15:36, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

I've always thought the nuclear rifle would fit under this title. ^Avic_ennasis @ 16:09, 9 Elul 5770 / 19 August 2010 (UTC)

"Gun" is a relative term here. Typically (I've got no cite to back this up) the distinction between "gun" and "cannon" is the .50 caliber mark. I might be wrong about that though. Shadowjams (talk) 06:10, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

What - like this gun? Alansplodge (talk) 17:19, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Does this qualify? Enter CBW, waits for audience applause, not a sausage. 07:17, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Musical instruments

Whats the difference between a banjo and a ukelele?--88.104.80.177 (talk) 15:23, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

Two main differences are they way the strings are tuned and that the banjo has a head (rare among chordophones) and the ukulele doesn't. There are also great differences in sound, technique and most common appearance in musical genres. I suggest you read our articles on banjo and ukulele and listen to examples (in the articles or on youtube, for example). ---Sluzzelin talk 15:30, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

You might also find the Banjo ukulele article interesting. -- Q Chris (talk) 16:34, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

the main difference, IMO, is that the first one is slightly less annoying. --Ludwigs2 17:02, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

The banjo-ukelele was popularized by British entertainer George Formby, Jr.. Other such hybrid instruments include a Mandolin-banjo, a Banjo guitar or Guitjo. All stummed/plucked stringed instruments (guitar/mandolin/banjo/uke) could be played roughly like each other, however historically they have different tunings and playing techniques. For example, there's nothing to stop someone from tuning a banjo to standard guitar tuning and strumming it like an acoustic guitar; its just not often done like that historically. --Jayron32 03:04, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

I think you misread, the first one would be banjo not ukulele so your statement doesn't make sense Nil Einne (talk) 13:12, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

A banjo takes longer to burn! :-)--88.104.84.86 (talk) 07:19, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

FFV Fuels that can be used on Flex vehicles

Hi,

I need to find out what percentage of the existing 9,000,000 FFV that are on the road today,can use all three: plain Gasoline, E85 and M85. Are the cars that Detroit is making today as they come from the showroom can use all three fuels. I had heard that FF vehicles that use E85 cannot use M85 and vice versa. Please advise.

Ignacio Aliaga <redacted> —Preceding unsigned comment added by Consultiali (talk • contribs) 19:05, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

Does FFV, or any of the references therein, answer your question? (I removed your email address by the way) --ColinFine (talk) 21:51, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

Gasoline, E85 and M85 FFV

Can Flex fuel vehicles in today's showrooms and 9,000,000 vehicles in the country use all three fuels, gasoline. E85 and M85. I was told that vehicles like Ford and GM or any vehicle that was a FFV that use E85 cannot use M85 and vice versa. Please explain if all FFV in the USA made as FFV can use all 3 fuels without changing anything in the vehicle once it is manufactured.

Please advice —Preceding unsigned comment added by Consultiali (talk • contribs) 20:34, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

To give your question some context for others, relevant articles are Flexible-fuel vehicle (FFV). E85, and the M85 disambig page says it's "a 85% Methanol / 15% Petrol blend." -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 21:44, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

Most modern cars could run on E85 - but they have problems getting the engine started using that fuel - especially in cold weather. In places like Brazil, where ethanol is commonly used, they install a small secondary gas tank which they fill with regular gasoline - the car uses that to start and get warm - then the driver flips a switch and drives the rest of the way on Ethanol. Older cars can't do that because ethanol dissolves rubber and some other compounds found in the gaskets, seals and hoses. Modern cars don't have that problem - but they do need special setup to start on ethanol - which is what a "flex fuel" vehicle brings to the game. Ethanol also conducts electricity (gasoline doesn't) so they have to be more careful with things like submerged fuel pumps.

M85 is a whole different problem. Methanol corrodes aluminium - so it is essential that the fuel not come in contact with any aluminium engine parts. Since aluminium is used for lightness in most engines these days, it takes a LOT to make a normal car run M85 for anything other than drag racing or other motor sports (where the engine can be torn apart after just a few minutes of operation - and you don't expect your car to last for 150,000 miles on the one engine!). Flex fuel vehicles are really no different in this regard.

SteveBaker (talk) 00:19, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

You may also find our Autogas article interesting as a different alternative to those fuels. Exxolon (talk) 01:07, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Discussion forum

I'm looking for a discussion forum that focusses on issues around energy efficiency in the home and green remodeling / appliance choice. I can't find one though - can you? Thank you! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 97.120.194.187 (talk) 21:48, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

Type "Green living forum" into Google.com and click on any of the first dozen or so links that come up. SteveBaker (talk) 00:11, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

This and this seem to be decent forums. There must be hundreds around, but if you can't find any dedicated forums, why not post on a 'off-topic' or 'community discussion' section on an unrelated forum instead? I'm sure there's nothing wrong with that. Chevymontecarlo 07:00, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Illness and Injury

Should or shouldn't athletes complete or play though their illness/es or injury/ies? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Mybodymyself (talk • contribs) 22:11, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

That of course depends on a lot of things. What's the nature of the injury? How important is the game to the athlete? How likely is the injury to develop complications if it's played on? In many cases, "playing through" an injury will mean that it takes the injury longer to heal. This may be acceptable to the athlete if he feels that the benefits of not missing some games outweigh the costs of having an injury longer. Buddy431 (talk) 22:26, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

And, of course, if this sports injury affects you or anyone you know, the injured person should ask their doctor/physiotherapist/athletic trainer. Such professionals will be able to give the best advice for the specific injury and the specific person, helping the athlete avoid ruining their career. 86.161.255.213 (talk) 22:51, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

It also depends a lot on what the teacher of your sports medicine class taught you when you answer this homework problem. In general, they have probably spoken in class about the benefits and drawbacks of playing through injuries, and what sorts of injuries one should or should not play though. You should read through the notes your wrote down during lecture the day(s) he or she discussed these issues, and/or you should read the chapters of your textbook where these issues are discussed. --Jayron32 02:56, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

--Jessica A Bruno 19:57, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Who should or shouldn't make the decision on whether an athlete can play though their illness or injury?--Jessica A Bruno 18:57, 20 August 2010 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Mybodymyself (talk • contribs)

Assuming the athlete is an adult, it is up to him or her. If they speak with their doctor or trainer who tells them that if they try to play through the injury, they run a high risk of a much worse injury, then they have been advised and are responsible for any consequences that occur. Googlemeister (talk) 19:36, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Thank you for all of your answers to my question here. All of them were informative. Anyway, I was only curious about this then student and etc along those lines.--Jessica A Bruno 19:57, 20 August 2010 (UTC)