Big Questions Answered, How and Why

How Does Autopilot Work on an Airplane?

The autopilot is a powerful computer that takes input from either the pilot or a navigation device and essentially does what it is told to do.

NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

How Many Rings Does Saturn Have?

It’s hard to know exactly, but suffice it to say, a lot.

How Do I Plan an Affordable (and Awesome) Vacation?

At first blush, it might seem as though the travel bug you recently caught and your salary are totally incompatible. But do a little research and you start to realize that isn’t the case at all. You can plan a fantastic vacation even if you’re working wit

Jam vs. Jelly: What's the Difference?

The language of fruit spreads is a peculiar one.

What's the Difference Between an Opera and a Musical?

Music is important to both, but slightly more important to one of them.

Baking Soda vs Baking Powder: What's the Difference?

And can't I just swap one for the other?

Just How Hot Is Lava?

The burning question, answered.

What is Copyright?

Pay attention, creative people.

Why Do Stop Signs Have Eight Sides?

From the Things You Didn't Know You Needed to Know file.

Why Does the Sun Appear Orange?

If you looked at it from space, the Sun would be white.

Is a Tomato a Fruit?

The Supreme Court once weighed in.

Is a Tomato a Fruit?

The Supreme Court once weighed in.

Andy via Flickr Creative Commons // Public Domain

What Does That Number on My Fruit Mean?

Price look-up (PLU) codes can tell you how your produce was grown.

Can Dogs Eat Grapes?

Short answer: It's doggie Kryptonite.

Why Is Yawning Contagious?

A new study may challenge this long-held belief.

What’s the Difference Between an Alligator and a Crocodile?

To the untrained eye, both look like prehistoric swamp lizards, but there are some tricks you can use so you don’t make a faux pas the next time you’re in Florida.

Why Does Your Seat Need to Be In an Upright Position During Takeoff and Landing?

It's not just to make your flight even more uncomfortable.

What is the Main Function of Blood?

What doesn't blood do might be the better question.

Why Do Cats Love to Knead?

There are several theories about why your cat likes to "make biscuits."

Why Do People in the UK Drive on the Left Side of the Road?

The answer may surprise you.

What Do Dogs Dream About?

We've got a pretty good idea.

IMZADI1979, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

How Much Do Companies Pay to Get Their Logos on Those Blue Highway Exit Signs?

The answer depends on both the state and the road.

Why Do Limbs 'Fall Asleep'?

There's a word for that pins-and-needles sensation: paresthesia.

What Was The First Video Game?

It's a far cry from the immersive video game experiences of today, and it took a nuclear physicist to assemble, but 'Tennis for Two' was a milestone in gaming history.

BIG QUESTIONS