Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2011 March 26

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March 26

chemisrty

what is the density of mercury if a 25.0 mL sample has a mass of 338.35g ? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.92.199.217 (talk) 02:15, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

Just divide the mass by the volume, to get the answer in g/mL. Did you want it in some other units ? StuRat (talk) 02:35, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

13,534 g/L or 13.543 g/mL. --ImitationIsSuicide (talk) 20:13, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

Do Europeans round differently ? StuRat (talk) 21:36, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

The second value is misprinted by ImitationIsSuicide. It should be 13.534 g/mL. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 00:57, 27 March 2011 (UTC)

Should be 13.5 anyway. Clarityfiend (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2011 (UTC)

I got 1,148,422,883,210,000 trillion terratons per cubic lightyear. Googlemeister (talk) 18:29, 28 March 2011 (UTC)

Dishwasher

I didn't realize that one of my little darlings, in a sincere effort to help, put regular dish soap into the dishwasher before I turned it on. Now it's filled with soap suds and doesn't appear to be draining. How big of a problem is this and what should I do? I don't know how much soap was put in. Any suggestions?InspectorSands (talk) 04:17, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

You may have to do a few rinses to get out all that froth. If you use normal soap as well you will likely make the froth disappear. Graeme Bartlett (talk) 04:22, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

Most of the results of a Google search say to empty the machine, remove as much of the suds as you can, put in some salt and vinegar, and run a rinse cycle. Open and repeat. Dismas|^(talk) 04:26, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

(edit conflict)x2Perhaps put down a tarp on the floor and open the door. That should keep the mess conatained, if it really isn't draining. If it does not look right after being cleaned up a bit, you may want to to call a dishwasher repairman, to come and look at it. Sumsum2010·T·C 04:27, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll run it run through one or two times, then try the salt and vinegar. Why do I want fish and chips all of a sudden?InspectorSands (talk) 04:37, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

I think those are supposed to reduce the suds so they can drain out. If there's a cycle that only drains without stirring things up so much, that would help too. Perhaps you can use that drain cycle, then pour fresh water in yourself, then repeat the drain cycle, until the suds clear. Of course, remove all the suds you can with a bucket first. StuRat (talk) 06:32, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

Or a wet vac. Dismas|^(talk) 06:36, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

Help to find missing CNN or BBC News animation

A couple of days ago i was watching a very well explained online animation which summarized radiation health risks and ways how radioactive contamination can happen, whether ingested or inhaled, all of this to be easier to understand for the average guy.

The animation also included a brief explanation regarding contanimation on soil and water. However i lost the link. Do anyone has seen it as well?. I can't remember where i seen it, if it was made by CNN or BBC News.

Anyone who can help me? where to find this animation?. Is there any way to get an older version of this page?. Before March 22 [1], it has been updated recently, but maybe the animation was taken out some days ago to expand the text. Have anyone noticed it? HappyApple (talk) 05:40, 27 March 2011 (UTC)

Just in case anyone is interested on my issue. I found the animation i was talking about.

THE animation is not from CBS neither BBC, but AP associated press, under the title of Japan disasters: No quick fix at nuclear complex. And it can be seen on CBS News website. [2] at the bottom of the page.

I tried to find a copy of that story on AP website but its no where to be found. Anyone could give me a hand on this?. HappyApple (talk) 18:34, 28 March 2011 (UTC)

I cannot find the link on that page - has it moved somewhere else? Thanks 92.29.126.172 (talk) 14:11, 29 March 2011 (UTC)

Eliots of Saint Germans and Eliots of Lostwithiel

What if any is the relationship between the The ELIOTS of Port Eliot and the ELIOTS of Lostwithiel, in Cornwall.Christopher Mark Eliot (talk) 08:00, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

What's the reference to "Saint Germans" in the header about? You didn't ask about that place in your question. -- Jack of Oz [your turn] 08:20, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

Port Eliot in St Germans, Cornwall, is the seat of the Eliot family.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 10:41, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

Agreed - Port Eliot is the manor house of St Germans. It's in the middle of the village - local knowledge, my father was born about 5 miles away. Alansplodge (talk) 10:54, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

Me again. As Lostwithiel is only 20 miles away by road, it's possible that they are one and the same family. A quick scan through the 1841 Census for Lostwithiel (Enumeration Districts 4 & 5) fails to show any Eliots or Elliots living in the town at the time - perhaps they were all in their nice house at St Germans? Alansplodge (talk) 16:49, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

Why are twin size beds (USA) called "twin" size?

Why are twin size beds (USA) called "twin" size? --Ibn Battuta (talk) 15:38, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

Originally "twin" meant a matching pair of single beds. Now each one is frequently (mis) called a "twin bed". This is true in Canada, as well as in the U.S. Bielle (talk) 15:45, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

If you can have a single twin (person), why not a single twin bed ? StuRat (talk) 20:35, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

That's good logic. As Victor Borge used to say "My children are twins - both of them". But it was always a bit silly to call inanimate objects "twins". It wasn't as if they they had the same parents - whatever the "parent" of a bed could possibly be. One could spend some time considering whether a pair of "twin beds" were identical or fraternal, but it wouldn't be a particularly good use of one's time. -- Jack of Oz [your turn] 21:22, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

It's a common term for matched inanimate objects, such as "twin bookends". StuRat (talk) 21:34, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

You could have a single twin bed, assuming it had once been half of a matching pair. I haven't heard the usage "twin bookend", however, for just one visible piece of furniture. Usually, the word just refers to what is better termed a "single" bed. And for Jack, the parent of a twin bed is clearly la cama matrimonial, sometimes shortened to la matrimonial in the Mijas area of southern Spain. Bielle (talk) 21:39, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

That would have worked back in the 1950s and '60s, when, at least according to Hollywood, married couples slept chastely in separate beds, albeit in the same room. There were 2 parental beds in that case. Very proper; we're constantly being told children need both a father figure and a mother figure. But now, there's only one parental bed. So these twin beds obviously come from broken homes because they can name only one of their parents. Very likely the parents weren't married either, so we have lots of bastard twin beds. How dreadfully our standards have slipped.  :) -- Jack of Oz [your turn] 21:51, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

There are triplets in music. For the words twin and triplet, there is this question: Which came first, the general meaning "one of a set of [two; three] similar items", or the genetic meaning "one of a set of [two; three] offspring born together"?

—Wavelength (talk) 01:24, 28 March 2011 (UTC)

Yes, music has triplets, quadruplets, quintuplets and so on - but not twins. They're called duplets. There must have been some notable composers who had twins, and I wonder if they called them "twins" or "duplets". -- Jack of Oz [your turn] 09:35, 28 March 2011 (UTC)

The earliest citation in the OED for "triplet" is from 1656, meaning tercet. The musical and multiple-birth meanings appear in 1786 and 1787, respectively. Quadruplet appears first for multiple-births, in 1781, in more general use as a set of four things in 1795, and not in musical use until much later. Quintuplet appears in 1795 for a set of five things, then for multiple births in 1860, and in music in 1873. In short - for triplets, the set meaning came first; the others arose by generalisation from that and entered use in different orders. Warofdreams talk 13:51, 28 March 2011 (UTC)

franklin wordmaster help

I bought a franklin wordmaster wm-1200 many years ago. It's now wearing out, I need to know if there is somewhere I can send it to have it repaired. I am 67 and not to use to a computer. I thought I could just look up Franklin computer corp. and find out this easy question, but I'm not even sure this is where I should be asking this question. Could you please help me in this matter. I have used the Language Master all these years to try and help me keep my mind sharp and for many hours of fun doing crossword puzzles and other puzzles, and looking up how to spell words that I now forget as I get older. There are other types out there, but they are to small for me, this one is large. Besides I can't afford the new types of hand held gadgets, and I doubt I could figure out how to use them.

If I somehow do get an answer from you, I hope I can find it, this has been so confusing just to find a place that might help me.

Thank you so much. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.117.166.72 (talk) 16:58, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

That's really an antique nowadays (dating from around 1988), and even if you can get it repaired, it is likely to cost you quite a bit of money. You probably will have better luck getting a replacement. If you don't want to buy a newer model, you can always look for used ones at online auction sites -- I notice for example that there is currently one up for bid on Ebay, at this page. There is always some risk in buying things on Ebay, but I think it is the only reasonable approach here. (This situation is sort of like asking how you can replace a 1961 Ford Mustang that is wearing out -- it requires a bit of initiative.) Regards, Looie496 (talk) 17:22, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

And, in case you are willing to try new things (which also helps in keeping the mind sharp), it's easy to use a computer to check spelling. Here's two ways:

1) In a web browser, like the one you are using to edit here, go to Google (type in www.google.com at the top), then type "define XXX", without the quotations, where XXX is the best you can do to spell the word you want. If you're right, the definition should pop right up. If that's the definition for another word, try something else. If it says "Did you mean..." near the top, with a different spelling, then pick on that suggested spelling to see if the definition for that matches. It might also automatically correct what you spelled.

2) Go to a word processing program, like Microsoft Word, type in the word the best you can, then hit the spellchecker button. It's usually something like ABC with a check mark. If you didn't spell it right, it should list similar words to the one you mispelled. StuRat (talk) 19:03, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

You may be interested in similar equipment on offer by Amazon (click here). They all seem to have proper keyboard layouts and not the A to Z sequential keys you have become used to. Prices vary significantly, as they come with a wide variety of functions, most of which may not be useful to you. Click here to go to the website of Franklins. It allows you to find a retailer in your area. There are some 6 shops in Corona, CA, so one of these may be in your vicinity. Good luck. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 20:26, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

Olympics

Roughly, about how wide would a typical Olympic stadium be? Perhaps one designed to hold around 80-100,000 people. I can't seem to find the measurement in the related articles. 148.197.121.205 (talk) 21:47, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

Olympic Stadium (London) says that the exterior diameter of the 2012 stadium (80,000 seats) is 900 metres. Depending on the exact shape, I suppose that means a width of about 250 metres and a length approaching 400 metres. Maybe - maths is not my strong point!. Alansplodge (talk) 22:19, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

You mean interior dimensions (length and width) ? StuRat (talk) 23:15, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

Actually the article says the exterior circumference is 900 m. So the length would be nearer to 200-250 m. Sussexonian (talk) 10:07, 27 March 2011 (UTC)

Quite right - my apologies. However, if it were circular, that would make the width (diameter) 286 metres (900 / 3.142). As it's a sort of elipse, the width would be less than 286m and the length would be more, wouldn't it? Alansplodge (talk) 15:17, 27 March 2011 (UTC)

Looking at the map the London stadium is about 250 x 200 metres. But the BBC page here (which repeats the 900m circumference detail) has a good image of the stadium showing it is wider at the top than at ground level — so the two may not be incompatible. Anyway for the OP's question maybe someone can look at Beijing or an earlier one. Sussexonian (talk) 19:29, 27 March 2011 (UTC)

Good idea - the Beijing National Stadium or "Bird's Nest" is 330m long by 220m wide. So about the same as the London one, but it seats 91,000. Alansplodge (talk) 00:16, 28 March 2011 (UTC)

Crop circle size

Also, related question, what sort of size would be considered particularly large for an American crop circle? 148.197.121.205 (talk) 21:52, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

The size[3] can vary from circles of just a foot or so across ('grapeshot'), to designs covering many hundreds of feet.A crop circle researcher writes that they have increased in size, some occupying areas as large as 200,000 sq ft. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 00:40, 27 March 2011 (UTC)

Smelting ..

Is Smelting A Furnace For Melting Ore In Order To Get Metal Out Of It . HarryPotterNot (talk) 22:03, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

Are you asking for the definition of smelting ? See smelting. StuRat (talk) 22:13, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

Owner Financing a Home

What are the risks associated for the BUYER when purchasing a home where the seller finances? For example, what happens if the seller were to file bankruptcy? Could the property somehow be repossessed since it is an asset owned free and clear by seller? Could any other type of failed financial relationship allow the subject property to be placed under lien? **I should note am not seeking legal advice in any way. This is simply a hypothetical question stemmed from an entirely hypothetical scenario I just made up in my head.** Thanks in advance. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.178.160.89 (talk) 22:33, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

There are two ways to sell a home, whether owner financed or bank-financed:

1) The house is sold immediately to the buyer, who then owes any unpaid portion to the mortgage holder. This is the most common arrangement, by far. In this case, the financial obligations of the seller are irrelevant, except that they may sell the mortgage to somebody more ruthless in foreclosing on properties in default. But, still, the buyer would have to fail to pay to lose the house.

2) The house isn't sold up-front, but rather only after all (or many) payments have been made. In this case, the financial circumstances of the seller are far more important, as their bankruptcy would result in the house being split up among creditors, you included. So, you may get it, or some value from it when it's sold, but probably not 100% of what you paid.

However, in either case, it may be more important for the buyer to have good records of payments made, as a private seller might be more likely to lose their records and/or deny a payment was made, in court. So, no payments in cash with just a handshake. Also note that there could be pluses to owner-financed mortgages. If, for example, the seller dies and their heirs (if any) don't bother to collect, you may get a bargain. StuRat (talk) 22:45, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

Interesting. Can you elaborate a little on WHY the "financial circumstances of the seller are irrelevant" in option one? Is this simply because the property has been sold and is therefore no longer theirs, aside from owning the mortgage against it? When filing bankruptcy wouldn't then the mortgage be seized by the powers that be? Sorry if I'm missing the big picture here... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.178.160.89 (talk) 23:04, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

Yes, the mortgage would need to be sold to help pay their financial obligations, but that just means that the buyer would have to pay somebody else, they would still own the home, as before. Since the seller no longer has any legal claim to the home, except for the mortgage, they can't sell it to pay their debts, and neither can the courts. StuRat (talk) 23:09, 26 March 2011 (UTC)

I take it this is a US hypothetical scenario. because it wouldn't apply in the UK.  Ronhjones  ^(Talk) 01:52, 27 March 2011 (UTC)

What's different there ? StuRat (talk) 02:05, 27 March 2011 (UTC)

I've never heard of the seller providing the financing for a house sale in the UK. We go to banks for our mortgages. I can't see the advantage of the seller providing the loan. --Tango (talk) 15:15, 27 March 2011 (UTC)

There are "vendor take back" mortgages in Canada. However, as with any mortgage in Ontario, the title changes hands at the closing date of the sale. The mortgage, whether held by a bank or a private person, is a financial agreement with the real property as the surety for repayment of the purchase loan. The only instance in which a mortgagee can repossess the real property is if the purchaser defaults on the mortgage payments (given notices, time to cure, and all that). So, if the vendor holds the mortgage and itself goes bankrupt, the purchaser's only obligation is to continue to make the agreed payments to whomever the trustee in bankruptcy directs. The advantage to the seller in providing the loan is that the sale may not close without it. If the purchases is someone who cannot otherwise qualify for a bank mortgage (age, newcomer to Canada, lack of regular, provable income), but the seller knows the risk of default is small (newcomer has substantial, provable assets offshore, purchaser's youth is offset by seller's knowledge of her family, purchaser is an entrepreneur with a hot, new business). The seller may also have a need for the down-payment cash now, and is prepared to take some risk on the rest to ensure an early closing. Bielle (talk) 16:46, 27 March 2011 (UTC)