11 scientific answers to stupid questions (12 photos)

Everyone has unanswered questions from time to time. We've compiled a list of eleven silly questions, the scientific answers to which will help clarify matters and clear your head of nonsense. You won't have to waste time googling and delving into clever explanations.





1. Why is it so hard to get fresh breath after eating garlic?

Garlic's pungent odor is due to its volatile sulfur compounds. When they enter our bodies, they form allyl methyl sulfide gas, which is responsible for bad breath. The gas with the unappetizing name is completely indigestible by the body. Therefore, it leaves the body through breathing.



Garlic breath won't be masked by mouth sprays, chewing gum, mouthwash, or mints. After all, the culprit isn't in the mouth, but much deeper. Whole, full-fat milk will help. One glass of it contains enough fat to break down the foul-smelling compound.

2. What does the "i" in Apple's product name stand for?

Current and future owners of high-tech iMac gadgets are wondering what the lowercase "i" prefix to the name means. It turns out it's not a Chinese counterfeit, but an acronym for the words: information, individual, inspiration, and education.





In English, these words begin with the letter "i." Apple products are designed for inspired creative projects, personalized internet connectivity, informing customers and users, and training.

3. How can the phenomenon of "moving eyes" in paintings be explained?

When admiring paintings by famous artists, we notice certain oddities. For example, the gaze of the famous "Mona Lisa" is always directed at the viewer, no matter from what angle. The mystical feeling is created by the effects of light, shadow, and perspective.



Human eyes are three-dimensional. Therefore, the pupils are visible in profile, three-quarters of the face. The human brain strives to compensate for the two-dimensionality of the image in the painting. This is why the pupils directed at the viewer seem to "move" as the angle of view changes.

4. Why do shoelaces come undone?

Lace-up shoes have many advantages and one drawback: laces that come undone. A team of researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, led by Professor Oliver, has devoted considerable time to studying the lace-up closure.



The scientists used a special device—an accelerometer—to measure the resistance force generated by walking at high speeds. A high-speed video camera captured the smallest details of the experiment. Measurements from the device showed that the runner's laces were subjected to a force of 7 g, comparable to the acceleration of a spacecraft launching. Passengers on a plane taking off experience a force of only 1.5 g. Furthermore, the back-and-forth "bow" is subject to inertia, causing the knot to loosen.

5. Why can't we walk straight with our eyes closed?

Many scientists have studied the phenomenon of walking in circles, which is especially pronounced in the dark. The effect is independent of environmental conditions and occurs in open areas and indoors. Researchers have put forward several theories.



Medical experts attribute this to the asymmetry of the human body. Unable to see a landmark in front of them, a person leans to one side or the other. Another theory is that the phenomenon of walking in circles in the dark can be explained by the dominance of one hemisphere of the brain. Scientists have not yet come to a consensus on this issue.

6. How do mountain goats navigate sheer cliffs?

We are often amazed by wild animals that demonstrate miraculous rock climbing. In fact, there is no miracle involved. Mountain goats can only maintain their balance on rough rocks with tiny ledges. A smooth wall is not their hoof.



It's the ingenious design of their hooves that allows mountain goats to run along sheer cliffs. Their narrow and extremely hard hooves can be spread very wide. The pads adjacent to them grip the ground, providing additional traction. Mountain goats have keen eyesight, allowing them to notice even the slightest irregularities in the rock surface.

7. Why do we get confused when trying to determine the source of a siren?

We've all heard the sound of an ambulance, police car, or fire truck siren rushing to the rescue. And every time, we turn our heads, trying to determine the source.



The fact is that sirens emit sound at a frequency of 1-3 kHz, which is within the maximum sensitivity of hearing. This frequency coincides with the "blind zone" of the human ear, making it impossible to determine the source of the sound.

8. Why do allergies to natural products occur?

Food allergies most often occur in children. Some experts claim that if an allergic reaction persists by age five, it will continue to bother a child into older age and even adulthood.



Many factors create favorable conditions for food allergies even before a child's birth: morning sickness during pregnancy, the expectant mother's eating habits, and family history of allergies. Furthermore, many allergens pass into breast milk, subsequently passing to the infant. Delayed introduction of complementary foods and the wrong choice of complementary foods also often cause allergies in infants.

90% of food allergies are caused by just six foods: wheat, whole milk, soy, all types of nuts, and peanuts. Cow's milk is the most common food that causes allergic reactions in infants. Infants who are weaned early on to formula are at risk.

9. Why does my stomach rumble?

Stomach rumbles are uncontrollable, which can be embarrassing. Digestion occurs with the help of digestive juices secreted by the stomach and intestines. Furthermore, food must be mixed for complete digestion. The stomach muscles contract every one to two hours.



The stomach is not empty, even if there is no food in it. It always contains gastric gases, gastric juice, and regular air, which we often swallow. When the stomach muscles contract, these components interact, causing the rumble.

10. Why do anime characters have huge eyes?

Artists believe that eyes are excellent at expressing a character's emotions. A character's good intentions are best conveyed with large, sparkling eyes. Conniving antiheroes have narrowed eyes. Young characters look at the viewer with wide eyes, while older characters have small ones.



Few people know that the first anime character with large eyes was Astro Boy (1952), drawn by Osamu Tezuka. The Japanese artist followed the traditions of his Disney colleagues, from whom he borrowed the professional technique of "large eyes."

11. How to make an emergency call from a smartphone without a SIM card?



We've all seen the message "emergency calls only" on our phones' displays. However, few people know how it works. Mobile phone service doesn't work without a SIM card because the IMSI and TMSI protocols are disabled, and there's no encryption. However, voice radio channel requests and simple call routing remain. Emergency calls are only possible to the Ministry of Emergency Situations' situation centers.