South African (Off-Topic) Quiz

[+cincol]

At what altitude does water boil at a higher temperature than elsewhere? I hope the question makes sense.

[+Midgleys_ZA]

At what altitude does water boil at a higher temperature than elsewhere? I hope the question makes sense.

 

If I understand the question, Sea level. Pressure and temperature are closely linked, and an increase in pressure should make the boiling more difficult, meaning more energy is required. Energy = Temperature, so high pressure, high temperature needed.

 

Of course, theoretically, one could take an open chamber underwater, fill it with air and then do boiling experiments inside the chamber, meaning that 14000m below sea level (Marianas trench depth) is the theoretical altitutde where boiling occurs at the highest temperature.

[+Carbon Hunter]

And without deep water diving, then the Dead Sea (400 odd m BSL)

[+Midgleys_ZA]

And without deep water diving, then the Dead Sea (400 odd m BSL)

 

I should drink my morning coffee before answering questions. What about holding your breath and doing it 1m below the surface of the Dead Sea? Still not using any diving equipment

[+cincol]

At what altitude does water boil at a higher temperature than elsewhere? I hope the question makes sense.

 

If I understand the question, Sea level. Pressure and temperature are closely linked, and an increase in pressure should make the boiling more difficult, meaning more energy is required. Energy = Temperature, so high pressure, high temperature needed.

 

Of course, theoretically, one could take an open chamber underwater, fill it with air and then do boiling experiments inside the chamber, meaning that 14000m below sea level (Marianas trench depth) is the theoretical altitutde where boiling occurs at the highest temperature.

 

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Saved me having to type it. :8D: Take it away!

Edited December 23, 2011 by cincol

[+Midgleys_ZA]

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Saved me having to type it. :8D: Take it away!

 

Thanks cincol, somehow it reminded me about the story of boiling an egg on a mountain (spoiler, it takes longer to boil an egg at higher altitude)

 

What is Alan Smithee's claim to fame?

[+7Gryph7]

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Saved me having to type it. :8D: Take it away!

Thanks cincol, somehow it reminded me about the story of boiling an egg on a mountain (spoiler, it takes longer to boil an egg at higher altitude)What is Alan Smithee's claim to fame?

 

Aha... this one I know ...I think the question was asked a few pages back

 

Alan Smithee is a pseudonym used by film directors who wish to disown a project. Its however no longer used, there was a movie about it that basically killed the name.(cant remember the name of the movie)

 

Edited December 24, 2011 by 7Gryph7

[+Midgleys_ZA]

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Saved me having to type it. :8D: Take it away!

Thanks cincol, somehow it reminded me about the story of boiling an egg on a mountain (spoiler, it takes longer to boil an egg at higher altitude)What is Alan Smithee's claim to fame?

 

Aha... this one I know ...I think the question was asked a few pages back

 

Alan Smithee is a pseudonym used by film directors who wish to disown a project. Its however no longer used, there was a movie about it that basically killed the name.(cant remember the name of the movie)

 

Correct, I was watching old episodes of QI and came up with this one, I guess its one of those strange facts that has now become common knowledge.

[+7Gryph7]

ah yes now I remember! that is also where I heard the question... QI.

 

and as a christmas present... I will give the turn to whoever can post a question first !

 

Merry Christmas to all!

[+Discombob]

woo hoo thanks!

Here is something I learned on QI this week.

What year was the auto-pilot invented for aeroplanes?

I shall allow a certain leeway on either side.

[+Carbon Hunter]

1916? A flyer

[+cincol]

I would guess post WWII and say 1952.

[+DamhuisClan]

I'll take a stab, at early '70s. Lets say 1973

[+Midgleys_ZA]

woo hoo thanks!

Here is something I learned on QI this week.

What year was the auto-pilot invented for aeroplanes?

I shall allow a certain leeway on either side.

 

I think it was about 1921. I know it was rather early on.

[+Discombob]

wow, Carbon Hunter nice one

It was 1915 I seem to recall, so your go.

 

Apparently it was a simple gyroscopic device which managed to keep the plane steady, allowing the pilots to climb out on the wings for a game of tennis, as can be seen in this photo:

 

http://archive-hot.blogspot.com/2011/05/playing-tennis-on-wings-of-flying.html

[+Carbon Hunter]

Wow - I guessed that this may have occured around the time of the Great War with all the developments that took place then in aeroplanes, lucky guess

 

OK - in June 1940, a South African "institution" came into being, after five years in the making, what was it?

 

Institution in the sense of a well known and instantly recognisable piece of our "culture" and history.

Edited December 28, 2011 by Carbon Hunter

[+cincol]

Springbok Radio.

[+Carbon Hunter]

Springbok Radio.

Nope this one is still "alive and well"

[+Wazat]

Woman's institute?

[+Carbon Hunter]

Woman's institute?

A good guess, clue - it also has something to do with flying things (primarily).

[+Discombob]

SAA?

[+Carbon Hunter]

Nope

[+Wazat]

Frisbee club of South Africa

[+cincol]

Comair?

[+cincol]

Jan Smuts aka Jhb International aka ORT?

[+Wazat]

The cable car on table mountain?

[+Carbon Hunter]

OK - no right answers - it is now in it's 7th edition.

[+the pooks]

OK - no right answers - it is now in it's 7th edition.

Robert's Birds of South Africa?

[+Carbon Hunter]

OK - no right answers - it is now in it's 7th edition.

Robert's Birds of South Africa?

Yep - that's it - the oldest African Natural History book in publication.

 

All yours to start the new year off. Have a great 2012 all out there.

[+Wazat]

And I just got the Roberts birds of KNP earlier this week.

[+the pooks]

People are familiar with A-4 size paper. What is the area of A-0 paper?

[+Midgleys_ZA]

People are familiar with A-4 size paper. What is the area of A-0 paper?

 

About 10 000 cm2? translates to about 1m2

 

I think, its quite possible that my maths has failed me.

[+the pooks]

Precisely 1m2. All yours T&J

[+Midgleys_ZA]

Precisely 1m2. All yours T&J

 

Thanks The Pooks (Pooks?)

 

Which US state once produced 50% of the world's crude oil?

[+cincol]

Texas

[+Midgleys_ZA]

Texas

 

Its not that easy

[+cincol]

OK then lets have another go. Oil was first found in Pennsylvania in the US. So I would guess that in those early years not too much was produced world wide. Producing 50% of world production in those days might have been possible then.

[+Midgleys_ZA]

OK then lets have another go. Oil was first found in Pennsylvania in the US. So I would guess that in those early years not too much was produced world wide. Producing 50% of world production in those days might have been possible then.

 

You are correct. Many products made from oil were pioneered in Pennsylvania, which was one cause of the oil production, but even without that, Pennsylvania still produces a signifcant quantity of US oil, but this is now surpassed by other worldwide oil production.

 

Take it away cincol.

[+cincol]

Seeing that I live in the Middle East and work in the oil & gas industry here is another one in similar vein.

 

Which country has the largest reserves of LNG? It is not Qatar BTW. We are only 3rd in the world. Both the others are close by.

Edited January 3, 2012 by cincol

[+Midgleys_ZA]

Seeing that I live in the Middle East and work in the oil & gas industry here is another one in similar vein.

 

Which country has the largest reserves of LNG? It is not Qatar BTW. We are only 3rd in the world. Both the others are close by.

 

This is why I thought you'd get my question from the start

 

Does using google maps to check on the countries near to Qatar count as googling?

[+cincol]

Where is your old fashioned atlas?

[+Midgleys_ZA]

Where is your old fashioned atlas?

 

Atlas at home, John at office

[+cincol]

Seems as though a hint is required.

 

The country in #2 spot is Iran.

[+Midgleys_ZA]

Seems as though a hint is required.

 

The country in #2 spot is Iran.

 

Guess based on nothing in particular (other than possibly eliminating one wrong answer): Kuwait

[+Carbon Hunter]

How close? I thought it was not a ME country, but former Soviet country?

Edited January 4, 2012 by Carbon Hunter

[+cincol]

How close? I thought it was not a ME country, but former Soviet country?

 

Who said ME? I said "close by".

[+Carbon Hunter]

[+Wazat]

UAE

[+cincol]

UAE

 

Cold.

 

#3 = Qatar

#2 = Iran

#1 = ????

Edited January 5, 2012 by cincol

[+cincol]

No takers? Hint = Carbon Hunter was very warm!