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Most Recent 15 Questions Answered

Question 1:

if the density of space is .25 particles/cm3, whats in between the particles? please dontsay a vaccum because i know that but what is in a vacum, it cant just be nothing

Answer :

Dear Weekend Astronomer, As an amateur skygazer, QB shares your desire to learn the answer to this question. Alas, although QB took two astronomy classes back in the distant days of undergrad, it was quite over QB's proverbial head. Multiple visits to the Undergrad Library's reference section, which is full of astronomical encyclopedias, proved less helpful than usual because QB was so darn ignorant as to not even know what to look for. Luckily, real life works much like the television show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?", and QB was able to phone a friend. (Oddly, no million-dollar prize was forthcoming. Sigh.) Anyroad, QB's astronomy professor, Dr. James Kaler, is a marvelous scientist and human being. He readily answered your question thusly: "OK. What is between the particles is the same thing that is between the particles in the air (which are just a lot closer together), and for that matter is within the atom itself: force fields, specifically gravity and the electromagnetic force, which are energy fields that have mass equivalents (E=mc**2 and a' that). Even in the abscence of "matter" the "vacuum" as such does not exist, as even the "vacuum" contains a minimum amount of energy that is responsible for the creation and immediate destruction of elementary particles. This is not only theory but experimentally verified. Even in your local environment, with neutral atoms, the atom itself is nearly all "empty space", the proton just 10**-13 in diam as opposed to the 10**-8 diam of a typical atom, so just one part in roughly 10**14 is actually "matter" -- what you feel as solidity is caused by the EM force field." Whoa. QB doesn't know about you, but QB's mind is thoroughly blown. Solid matter... isn't... solid? Sweet! Here's to our weird universe, and all of the force fields that hold it together. Made of sparse particles, QB

Sources :

Email exchange with Professor James Kaler.

Call Number :

Location :

Date Answered :

6/17/2008

Question 2:

This could quite possibly be the most dangerous answer ever posted, but please answer to satisfy my curiosity. What causes flatulence to smell and what would be the worst combination of foods to eat to make constant gas that is so bad it can peel paint??

Answer :

Aside from being a social taboo, gas is the butt of many jokes. Might you be familiar with George Carlin, a well-known comedian and social critic? You will recall that Carlin has established a loyal fan-base, in part, on his beloved fart jokes. In one sketch, Carlin muses on the power of a fart to “strip the varnish off a foot-locker.” When he discusses the importance of releasing a test fart before unleashing a full-blown blast in inescapable circumstances, Carlin warns about the “fart that could end a marriage.” But all joking aside, science can explain that crude and repugnant odor that lives inside of us all. A simple dictionary definition informs that gas is the result of the production of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane. While burping or belching consists of a gas that exits from the mouth, the most offensive of gasses, exits the rectum. Many people have theorized on the origins of the repulsive smell; but according to Medline Plus Online, “The odor comes from bacteria in the large intestine that release small amounts of gases that contain sulfur.” It is no wonder, then, that a fart can explode when it is appropriately lit on fire. All of us, indeed, carry a most dangerous weapon inside of us. To reduce the number of times you pass gas, QB recommends that you chew your food into smaller pieces as “wolfing down” food often increases the amount of gas you take in with each mouthful. Some foods that appear to be high in flatogens and perhaps aid in the production of excess gas are: dairy (for those who have a difficult time breaking down lactose), beans, broccoli, brussell sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, onion, radishes, avocado, and melon. The next time you find yourself expelling intestinal gas, reflect on your dining practices. In regard to your final question, QB can only tell you what has enabled him to produce the foulest of odors, the most gargantuan of offenses. Because I, QB, care deeply about my health and physical prowess, I spend much time in a gym. Membership costs are steep, but if you can afford it, the benefits last a lifetime! Most people don’t know this about me, but I am a revered body-builder of colossal strength. I set fitness goals. In order to build muscle mass, even during those hours when I am sleeping, I stick to a very strict dietary regimen. The benefits are my stunning physique, sharp mind, impressive cardiovascular condition, and spiritual awareness. The disadvantages, however, are that my spouse sleeps on the couch several times per month. On the other hand, my marriage has never been stronger because I know my significant other loves and accepts me fully. .Note: Use with unwavering discipline. The below ingredients yield one serving to be administered daily. It’s a gas!! QB’s Supreme Gas-Producing Diet: 2 cups broccoli, steamed 2 fiber choice tablets (or supplement such as Fiber Sure- yield instructions!Not for amateurs!) 48 grams of whey protein (based on body weight, avail. at most nutrition centers) ½ cup baked beans 1 cup cottage cheese for good measure at bedtime

Sources :

~A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition ~Delores, C.S. James. Nutrition and Well-Being A-Z. Detroit, Mich. : Macmillan Reference USA, 2004. ~Medline Plus Online: http://medlineplus.gov ~National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse

Call Number :

Location :

Date Answered :

1/29/2008

Question 3:

What is the average velocity of a lower gastrointestinal gaseous discharge expelled via the sphincter.

Answer :

Dear Verbose, Hold on there, cowpoke. QB thinks you might be talking about passing gas, breaking wind, letting one rip, contributing to global warming, or even pooting. In the quest to answer your odious query, QB found that there is no average velocity for a "lower gastrointestinal gaseous discharge" because there is no average L.G.G.D. Each fart and each farter have distinctive characteristics: what volume of gas is being emitted? What is the diameter of the aperture from which the air is escaping? Is the gas being actively or involuntarily expelled? The amount of air swallowed, fiber consumed, or sexual intercourse performed can affect the nature of a flatus. You see, Verbose, the mundane nature of L.G.G.D does not preclude it from being a complex and complicated event worthy of study and, yes… awe. Do not be ashamed to marvel at the humble fart. QB found all of the sources listed below on MedLine, one of the University databases, by searching for "flatus." Gleefully gassy, QB

Sources :

Volume, composition, and source of intestinal gas. Levitt. Gastroenteroloy.1970 vol:59 iss:6 page:921 -9 Investigation of normal flatus production in healthy volunteers. Tomlin. Gut. 1991 vol:32 iss:6 page:665 -9 Influence of diet on flatus volume in human subjects. Davies. Gut year:1971 vol:12 iss:9 page:713 -6 An understanding of excessive intestinal gas. Suarez. Current Gastroenterology Report. 2000 vol:2 iss:5 page:413 -9 Flaturia: passage of flatus at coitus. Incidence and pathogenesis. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Volume 275, Number 1. January, 2007. pp. 33-37. Ahmed Shafik, Ismail A. Shafik, Olfat El Sibai, and Ali A. Shafik

Call Number :

Location :

MedLine article database

Date Answered :

12/6/2007

Question 4:

What search engine would I use if I have to find articles that are peer review and science based. Thank you.

Answer :

Dear Science Seeker, The University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign subscribes to a multitude of scholarly, scientific journals, and in these journals, you should be able to find a plethora of peer-reviewed articles. Since you have not specified what area of science you are interested in, QB will direct you the "Articles" link on the Undergraduate Library homepage, which lists a few great databases by subject, such as Biology, Environmental Studies, Medicine and Health, Psychology and Sociology. You can also view a complete list of databases by subject by clicking on the "See all" link beneath the subject title. Another great place to find articles and journals is from the Online Research Resources, located off of the main library gateway. On the ORR, you get a bigger and more specific list of journals and articles by subject, such as Astronomy, Chemistry, Computer Science and Physics. If you would like to use an actual physical copy of a journal or periodical, you can find some on the lower level of the Undergraduate Library, shelves 1-10. As for evaluating the articles you find, QB recommends that you look over the following links from the Undergraduate Library webpage "How do I..?" section: -Is it scholarly? General tips for evaluating resources -Tell the difference between popular magazines and scholarly journals -Tell the difference between online popular and scholarly articles -Evaluate Internet sources -Choose the best sources for your paper Good luck with your scientific research, and always remember, you can ask more questions at the Undergraduate Reference desk or Instant Message us (askundergrad) on AOL, Yahoo, MSN, and Google Talk.

Sources :

http://www.library.uiuc.edu/ http://www.library.uiuc.edu/ugl/ http://www.library.uiuc.edu/orr/ http://www.library.uiuc.edu/ugl/howdoi/how.html

Call Number :

Location :

Undergraduate Library

Date Answered :

10/4/2007

Question 5:

Is it true that Francis Crick was high on LSD when he came up with the double helix structure of DNA?

Answer :

Dear Curious about Crick, While it is a generally accepted fact that Crick used LSD during his lifetime, his use of LSD during his discovery of the double helix structure is disputed. Ten days after Crick’s death, the London paper, Mail on Sunday, published an article stating that Crick was indeed under the influence of LSD when he came up with the double helix structure. According to the article, Crick later told a fellow scientist that “he often used small doses of LSD to boost his powers of thought. He said it was LSD, not the Eagle's warm beer, that helped him to unravel the structure of DNA.” Dick Kemp, a fellow scientist who claims to have met Crick at Cambridge, is the source of this story. When Sir Martin Rees (a.k.a. Alun Rees), who was Crick’s colleague, discussed this rumor with Crick, Crick did not seem at all surprised and was quoted as saying, “Print a word of it, and I’ll sue.” However, Matt Ridley, the author of Francis Crick: Discoverer of the Genetic Code, claims these are just rumors and nothing more. Ridley states that Crick was an occasional user of pot and LSD, but was not introduced to the drug until 1967 by Henry Barclay Todd, years after Crick’s discovery. Ridley recognizes that the rumor was spread by the British journalist, Dick Kemp, and mentions that he was also Todd's LSD supplier. Ridley supports his argument that the rumor is not true by asserting that Todd was certain he was the first person to give LSD to Crick and that LSD had been barely available in 1953 when Crick made his discovery. Ridley also states that Todd and Crick’s wife, Odile, do not recall Crick ever having met Kemp. So what’s the truth? Is Kemp just a liar who had it out for Crick? Or was Ridley afraid to get sued if he published the truth about Crick’s LSD use? QB wishes it knew the answer, but you’ll have to make your own judgment call here. Sincerely, QB

Sources :

(1) Rees, Alun. "Nobel Prize Genius Crick was High on LSD when He Discovered the Secret of Life." Mail on Sunday (London) August 8 2004: 44; Pg. 45. (2) Ridley, Matt. Francis Crick : Discoverer of the Genetic Code. 1st ed. New York: Atlas Books, 2006, Pg. 156-157. (3) Wilson, Colin. "Beam Me Up, Space Swans." Daily Mail (London) January 19 2007, sec. ED 1ST: 58.

Call Number :

(2) 576.5092 C867r

Location :

(1, 3) Lexis-Nexis Academic (2) Main Stacks

Date Answered :

9/27/2007

Question 6:

Why do people say “bless you” when someone sneezes?

Answer :

Thank you for asking such an interesting question. In order to find the answer QB went to the well organized online reference collection which is easily found on the undergraduate library’s homepage. Low and behold QB was able to find Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable; a dictionary dedicated to questions just like yours. Now back to your question. The phrase “God Bless You’’ has been credited to St. Gregory, a late sixth century pope. As the story goes he initiated the phrase during the bubonic plague epidemic of AD 590 in which sneezing was as the onset of the disease. However, not all historians want to give St. Gregory credit for this phrase as Aristotle refers to similar tradition with the Greeks in the 300s BC and Thucydides, the 5th Century BC Greek historian, writes that sneezing was a symptom of the Athenian Plague of that century and the term arose in the hopes to combat the plague. Other origins of the phrase are based in superstition. For example the Parsees believe that sneezing indicates that evil spirits are near and blessing the person will ward off the spirits. These beliefs are held by groups in India, Persia, and some Native American tribes. Others believe that the heart stops when one sneezes and saying “bless you” will restore one’s life. One last superstition is that the soul can leave the body when one sneezes and blessing the person will prevent Satan from stealing it. Thanks for the great question and next time you sneeze “bless you.”

Sources :

Man, Myth, and Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Mythology, Religion and the Unknown 1995 Sneeze. (2005). In Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (17th ed). Retrieved September 01, 2007, from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/6753354

Call Number :

Location :

Date Answered :

9/5/2007

Question 7:

Can you explain why the toilet spins the other direction in the Southern Hemisphere? -James Taylor

Answer :

Hi James! Thanks for the question! However, the answer may not be what you expect... It is a commonly held belief by many Americans that toilets in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia in particular, flush "backwards." I mean -Hey, it WAS on the Simpsons! In that particular Simpsons episode (6th Season, 16th episode for the Simpsons fans out there!), Lisa and Bart are having bathroom product races in the sink. Lisa explains that the Coriolis force is responsible for the direction in which the sink drains, which leads to Bart collect calling Australia to find out which way the water spins in their toilets. Very uncharacteristically, Lisa wasn't right; while the Coriolis force is a scientific phenomenon, it does not affect the way water spins in a toilet. The real reason that a toilet flushes one way or another is simply due to the direction the jets are pointed in. In fact, many toilets in Australia don't flush "backwards" at all; they flush straight down. Additionally, Australian toilets are very Earth-Friendly and conserve water by having two options when flushing: half-tank for onesies and full-tank for twosies. :) So, what was Lisa talking about when she mentioned the Coriolis force? Well, it has more to do with wind movement rather than water. An article in USA Today explains, “In simple terms, as air begins flowing from high to low pressure, the Earth rotates under it, making the wind follow a curved path. In the Northern Hemisphere, the wind turns to the right of its direction of motion. In the Southern Hemisphere, it turns to the left. The Coriolis force is zero at the equator.” If you want to learn more about the Coriolis force, you should check out the Scientific Encyclopedia in the Reference Section in the Undergrad Library. It goes into all the mathematical details… Or, the next time you’re watching that particular Simpsons episode, you can impress all your friends by correcting Lisa Simpson!

Sources :

Williams, Jack. "Understanding the Coriolis force" USA Today, 5/17/2005 Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia - Coriolis force http://www.thesimpsons.com/index.html http://alldownunder.com/oz-k/real-estate/australian-toilets.htm http://www.usatoday.com/weather/resources/basics/coriolis-understanding.htm

Call Number :

Q 503 V338 2002 v.1

Location :

Undergraduate Reference

Date Answered :

9/2/2007

Question 8:

I need five job tittles for human science

Answer :

Dear Random Career Seeker, Your question is incredibly broad, and begs some interpretation. Does "human science" mean "social science"? If so, perhaps the following jobs (from the Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance) will interest you: * Physical anthropologists "study the physical characteristics of people through the ages and across cultures" * Linguists "concentrate on language and its sounds, structure, grammar, vocabulary, idioms, and development through time" * Ethnomusicologists "study the music, musical instruments, and musical traditions of different cultures" * Geographers "study the relationship of physical features and cultures and how they are arranged on local, regional, continental, and global levels" * Political scientists "study political systems and public policy" Or, maybe you want to explore "hard" science jobs. Here’s a brief sampling: * Meteorologists study "weather changes and forcast weather conditions" * Ecologists study "the interconnections between organisms (plants, animals) and the physical environment" * Epidemiologists "study the cause, spread, and control of diseases affecting groups of people or communities" * Urologists "are physicians who specialize in the treatment of medical and surgical disorders of the adrenal gland and of the genitourinary system" * Mathematicians "study numbers and how they relate with each other"--although mathematics is abstract and not focused on humans, humans can never be separate from the subjects we study If this isn’t what you’re looking for, visit the Undergrad’s Career Cluster for more job information. You might also want to check out the Career Center: http://www.careercenter.uiuc.edu/. Loving this job, QB

Sources :

Morkes, Andrew (ed.). Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance. Ferguson Publishing Company, 2003.

Call Number :

331.7 En19 2003

Location :

Undergrad Career Cluster

Date Answered :

9/1/2007

Question 9:

between 1980---2008 how many times did the 4th of july fall on a tuesday and what years?

Answer :

The Undergrad's reference collection includes The Book of Calendars, which has all kinds of information about various calendars, including a table of 14 possible calendars for the Julian and Gregorian calendar which can be matched to any year from 1 to 2000. Unfortunately, this chart is a bit of a pain to use, so QB consulted the Internet. In 1980 (a leap year), the 4th of July fell on a Friday. In 1983, it fell on a Monday, but 1984 was another leap year, so it didn’t land on a Tuesday until 1989. Other years include 1995, 2000 and 2006, for a total of four times. Hope this helps you pinpoint exactly what year that fateful Tuesday inhabited, QB

Sources :

http://timeanddate.com/ Parise, Frank (ed.). The Book of Calendars. Facts on File, Inc., 1982.

Call Number :

529.3 B644

Location :

Internet Undergrad Reference

Date Answered :

9/1/2007

Question 10:

When we look at the sky, it seems light blue coloured. Why it's [sic] light-blue? Why [sic] does it from from? What couses [sic] this?

Answer :

Dear Skygazer, While your question tends to be attributed to precocious youngsters, QB is glad that you asked it. After all, most grown-ups will grudgingly admit that they don’t know why the sky is blue! A quick jaunt to the Undergraduate Library’s reference section (located on the south side of the first floor) led QB to a series called Science of Everyday Things. Volume Four: Real-Life Earth Science tells us that oxygen and nitrogen make up the bulk of Earth’s atmosphere. Oxygen and nitrogen both cause sunlight, which is white, to reflect only its shortest wavelengths: violet, green, and blue. The three colors blend to create the various blues with which we are so familiar. Hope this information helps you, Skygazer! Lookin’ at the clouds, QB

Sources :

Knight, Judson. Science of Everyday Things, 2002, Volume 4, pp. 78-79.

Call Number :

500K745s v.4

Location :

Reference Section, Undergraduate Library

Date Answered :

8/28/2007

Question 11:

When we look at the sky, it seems light blue coloured. Why it's light-blue? Why does it stem from? What causes this?

Answer :

Sources :

, Judson. Science of Everyday Things, 2002, Volume 4, pp. 78-79.

Call Number :

500K745s v.4

Location :

Reference section, Undergraduate Library

Date Answered :

8/28/2007

Question 12:

Compare Phytoplankton sustainability in Irish Rivers in comparison to Warnow River, Germany.

Answer :

Greetings! The Dictionary of Ecology defines phytoplankton as "The photosynthetic plankton and primary producers of aquatic ecosystems, comprising mainly diatoms in cool waters, dinoflagellates being more important in warmer waters," and sustainability is described as, "economic development that takes full account of the environmental consequences of economic activity and is based on the use of resources that can be replaced or renewed and therefore are not depleted." The issue of ecosystem sustainability is one that sees much debate in the oceanic community. This debate centers on how to approach the question of sustainability. As the researcher Kenneth Sherman (1994) writes, the debate can be interpreted as schools of scientists focusing on reducing further erosion of resources rather than producing novel scientific research while there are still other scientists who say that the perception of sustainability in ecological research has been solved. In order to see for yourself the comparability of phytoplankton across various bodies of water, you will want to consult the webpage "Sustainability Now" (a website authored by a group of Canadian engineers) (http://www.sustainability.ca/index.cfm?body=SourceView.cfm&ID=781) wherein utilizing a map produced by NASA it is shown that the area near Germany shows concentrations of plankton to be higher than the area surrounding Ireland. End of story, QB

Sources :

Sherman, K. (1994). Sustainability, Biomass Yields, and Health of Coastal Ecosystems - an Ecological Perspective. Marine Ecology-Progress Series, 112(3), 277-301. "sustainability" A Dictionary of Ecology. Ed. Michael Allaby. Oxford University Press, 2006. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign. 22 April 2007 http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t14.e5501 "phytoplankton" A Dictionary of Ecology. Ed. Michael Allaby. Oxford University Press, 2006. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign. 22 April 2007 http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t14.e4293

Call Number :

Location :

Date Answered :

5/2/2007

Question 13:

What are those green brain-like fruit around here called?

Answer :

Hello botany enthusiast, These huge hairy and brainy-looking fruit can get up to 5 inches across and can be found all over campus. These are Osage Oranges and come from the Osage-Orange tree (Muclura pomifera), which is a member of the mulberry family. Mature Osage-Orange trees average around 50 feet tall and can get to over 100 years old! They repel insects and have a variety of other uses, as well as a rich history in the United States. Fruit Osage Oranges come in male and female varieties. Only the female variety produces the characteristic fruit. The fruit, which look like soft-ball sized lime-green brainy oranges are not oranges at all and are not edible. They are actually many individual fruits fused together and each of the individual fruits contain a small brown nut. The fruit often stays on the tree after the leaves have fallen off, but it does fall, as you can tell by the large number of them on the ground around campus. If you peel or cut the fruit open, it does give off an orange-peel smell. Bark, Leaves, etc. The Osage Orange tree has a "gnarled" appearance. The bark is twisted and the branches are knotty. The bark and roots are bright yellow or orange and the outer bark can have an orange color in the grooves. They average one and a half feet in diameter. The leaves are glossy green and many have thorns, especially on the younger branches. Native Area Osage Orange trees are native to Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, but they were widely planted throughout the eastern United States and as far north as Ontario, so they are quite common in Illinois at this time. They prefer the floodplains area, but will grow in open pastures and hillsides. Survival Traits They are heat-, drought-, and salt-resistant and like very sunny areas. They thrive in hot climates, but also can withstand temperatures of -20 degrees Fahrenheit! They have thorny twigs and milky sap which contain chemicals to discourage animals from foraging. They can reproduce by spouting saplings from the roots as well as by dispersal of the seeds in the brainy green fruit. Age Since they are so hardy, it’s no surprise then that Osage-Orange trees grow to be so old. Virginia’s Big Tree Program indicates that the average Osage-Orange lasts to be 75 years old and the maximum age of these trees is 100 years. However, the famous Osage-Orange tree at Red Hill National Monument in Brookneal, Virginia (home of Patrick Henry) dates to over 300 years old! Names & Uses The Osage Orange gets its name from the Osage Indians who would use the tree for making bows and clubs. The Osage Orange is also called the Hedge Apple. Many of the leaves have spikes at the base, which enabled the trees to be used as hedges and natural fencing before the barbed wire was available. The wood from the bark is very dense; it doesn’t rot and is not attractive to termites. Early settlers used the wood for fence posts. The wood is also great for railroad ties and firewood. Instrument artisans consider it good "tone wood" the preferred wood for making duck and goose calls, and a good choice for harps. The inner root bark contains a substance that can be used as a yellow dye for cloth and the bark also produces tannin for leather-making. The roots can be used to create a yellow cloth dye. Scientific research on the Osage-Orange is scarce, but the green osage orange fruit are also said to be natural bug repellants -- especially for cockroaches, crickets, spiders, fleas, box elder bugs, and ants -- because of the chemical 2,3,4,5-tetrahydroxystilbene. Put them in your closets, under your beds, in a decorate bowl on the kitchen counter, and they’ll keep away little critters for up to 2 months, although they won’t kill them. History The Osage-Orange has a rich history and folklore as part of the American landscape. As part of their first presentation of botanical samples to President Jefferson in 1804, Lewis and Clark brought back none other than seeds and cuttings from the Osage Orange. Even though it was so adaptable, it was only growing in a small area of the U.S. at the time of Lewis and Clark. Fossil evidence shows that it had grown as far north as Ontario before the last glacier passed through that area. There is a theory that the Osage Orange is a "living fossil" from the Ice Age and that it’s fruit used to be eaten and therefore dispersed by large animals which became extinct, such as Mastodons and Ice Age horses. Since the fruits are so large, wind and birds do not carry the seeds very far and without the large animals, new trees only sprouted locally. The Osage Orange was easily grown because it is so tolerant and was widely planted in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Sources :

The Encyclopedia of North American Trees, 582.16097 B447e The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Trees, 582.1603 M813i "Osage-Orange: Tree Out of Time." (2005). New York State Conservationist, Retrieved Saturday, November 11, 2006 from the Academic Search Premier database. Virginia Big Tree Program, http://www.fw.vt.edu/4h/bigtree/index.htm Hugo, N., & Hugo, N. (2003). The Mystery of Patrick Henry's Osage-Orange. American Forests, 109(2), 32. Retrieved Saturday, November 11, 2006 from the Academic Search Premier database. Raver, Anne. "What Horrifies Roaches and Grows on Trees?" The New York Times. November 27, 1994. Section 1; Page 75; Column 3. Retrieved Saturday, November 11, 2006 via Lexis Nexis. Ball, J. (2000). The Versatile Osage-Orange. American Forests, 106(3), 60. Retrieved Saturday, November 11, 2006 from the Academic Search Premier database.

Call Number :

582.16097 B447e, 582.1603 M813i

Location :

Undergrad Library Reference Collection, LexisNexis (online), and Academic Search Premier (online)

Date Answered :

3/11/2007

Question 14:

Why is chemistry learning not that fun to learn?

Answer :

This can best be explained with a short fairy tale: Long ago, in a village far, far, away I attempted to learn the German language. The teacher was a native of Germany. Her class was tougher than a box of nails. She made me wish I was learning Chemistry. My German teacher said that learning is painful and that if you are in pain, then you are learning. Your question about learning chemistry makes me wonder if she also taught chemistry on the side... Here are some tips for helping you learn Chemistry: The Chemistry Library has on their website a "class resources" guide to help you with your chemistry related problems. One of the listed resources is for the Chemistry Learning Center, located in room 212 of the Chemistry Annex the phone number is (217) 333-2998. You could probably find a bunch of people there you could talk chemistry with and they can even provide you with amusing learning of chemistry. In fact, what you ought to do, is just walk right in there and say "I challenge you to make learning chemistry fun!" and just refuse to leave until they have satisfied your chemistry learning needs. According to the chemistry learning center site, undergrads and grad students can make use of their services. They offer tutoring, computers, study space, and software. There is also an online resources section to their website. So do not feel as though you must go to the chemistry learning center to make use of their resources. At least you’re not learning painful German.

Sources :

UIUC Chemistry Library http://www.library.uiuc.edu/chx/ Chemistry Learning Center http://www.chem.uiuc.edu/clcwebsite/index.html

Call Number :

Location :

Date Answered :

12/2/2006

Question 15:

Has any NFL player achieved a positive score on the Putnam Exam?

Answer :

Dear future Fields Medalist, You probably already know this, but for our viewing audience at home: the Putnam Math Competition is a contest, held every year, for undergraduate math students from the very awesome United States and also from our awesome neighbor to the north: Canada. The full name of the contest is "The William Lowell Putnam Competition." It is sponsored every year by the Mathematical Association of America: http://www.maa.org/awards/putnam.html There is actually a somewhat athletic answer to this question, which comes from the article "The First Sixty Six Years of the Putnam Competition" where it is written "Beginning about 1990 Duke University started to recruit the nation's best high school math students with the same fervor that they recruit the best high school basketball players. Since then Duke has emerged as Harvard's top rival by winning three times, finishing second twice, and taking third place four times. Interestingly, in this period Duke's Putnam team has performed as well as its basketball team! (Through 2003 the basketball team finished first three times and second three times, with no third place finish.)" I have a question for you: is "matheleticism" a word? Another sort of cool tidbit about this Putnam Competition: according to the same article cited above, in a who’s who section: "The Nobel Prize winner in Economics John Nash (of "A Beautiful Mind" fame), to his great disappointment, finished in the second five of 147 individuals in 1947." Sadly, he must not have brought his "A-game" that day.

Sources :

1) MAA online--The Mathematical Association of America http://www.maa.org/awards/putnam.html 2) Gallian, J. (2004). The first sixty-six years of the Putnam competition. American Mathematical Monthly, 111, 691-699.

Call Number :

Location :

Date Answered :

11/10/2006

Science Questions

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