"Tell Me Why" of the Week Contest

"Everything in the world of science has a reason, and, a purpose."

Reason Reason

Have you ever wondered why we do burp, or yawn? Sometimes many weird question like this arise in our mind, and we ask them to people who can't answer them and thus,they ignore or postpone it. But, as someone said, everything has a reason. Really? Let's find out!

If you also have such unanswered or answered questions which arise in our daily lives, this contest is for you. I believe it's gonna be great fun, discovering the reason behind everything in nature.

Sometimes these questions lead us to learn many new unexpected things. I remember once asking my big brother (who is a software engineer), why do we follow the QWERTY keyboard, and not ABCDEF keyboard. To which he simply replied, "It's faster to write on this cuz the important letters are arranged such that they make typing faster." BUT, on further research, I found a very unexpected answer. Actually, the QWERTY keyboard was designed to reduce the speed of typists, so that the mechanism of the old typewriters doesn't get jammed, and it has continued ever since!

Upvote every question you find interesting, and try to find answers to it/them. The question with the most number of upvotes shall be the winner. The competition ends on the 10th of November, so you have ample of time to think of weird questions!

Some sample questions are: Why is the sky blue? Why do doughnuts have holes?! Why do we cry while cutting onions? Why and how does a chameleon change its colour? Why do bees rub their legs (which creates a buzzing sound) ? Will, after some time, everything have the same temperature, assuming that heat flows till the two objects attain the same temperature? Why does February have only 28 days? Why are most people right handed?

Go as weird as you can, and let's find out if everything in this marvellous world of science has a reason and/or purpose. And don't forget to like and re-share! Your turn, enjoy!!

[EDIT: Please post only questions in the comments anything else should be asked/told in comments to the questions. For a sample, I've posed some questions, but downvote them, for I must come last :D You may also take it as a challenge from my side to disprove my hypothesis of 'everything has a reason']

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2 \times 3

2^{34}

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a_{i-1}

a_{i-1}

\frac{2}{3}

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\sqrt{2}

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\sum_{i=1}^3

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Easy Math Editor

This discussion board is a place to discuss our Daily Challenges and the math and science related to those challenges. Explanations are more than just a solution — they should explain the steps and thinking strategies that you used to obtain the solution. Comments should further the discussion of math and science.

When posting on Brilliant:

Use the emojis to react to an explanation, whether you're congratulating a job well done , or just really confused .
Ask specific questions about the challenge or the steps in somebody's explanation. Well-posed questions can add a lot to the discussion, but posting "I don't understand!" doesn't help anyone.
Try to contribute something new to the discussion, whether it is an extension, generalization or other idea related to the challenge.
Stay on topic — we're all here to learn more about math and science, not to hear about your favorite get-rich-quick scheme or current world events.

Markdown	Appears as
`italics` or `_italics_`	italics
`bold` or `__bold__`	bold
- bulleted - list	bulleted list
1. numbered 2. list	numbered list
Note: you must add a full line of space before and after lists for them to show up correctly
paragraph 1 paragraph 2	paragraph 1 paragraph 2
`[example link](https://brilliant.org)`	example link
`> This is a quote`	This is a quote
# I indented these lines # 4 spaces, and now they show # up as a code block. print "hello world"	# I indented these lines # 4 spaces, and now they show # up as a code block. print "hello world"

Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `$` ... `$` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$

Comments

Why is winrar trial infinite?

Kartik Sharma - 6 years, 7 months ago

Everything has a reason. Maybe they want people to continue using WinZip/Rar and try to trick them into buying a pro one...

Satvik Golechha - 6 years, 7 months ago

https://www.quora.com/Why-is-WinRAR-40-day-trial-available-unlimited

My question is "How would we know that everything in this world is circular, and our perception of vision perceives as straight?"

Also, I have an answer to the Febraury question. Initially, the Egyptians had named 360 days of the year, after the 360 degrees of rotation and revolution. Then, however, 5 days were added to represent the 5 children of the Sun God, Ra. Thus came the concept of 365 days in a year. Now, the Gregorian Calendar was named after either numbers or rulers.

The first month used to be March. This was the distribution of days.

March- 31

April- 30

May- 31

June- 30

July (named after Julius Caesar)- 31

August (named after Augustus)- 30

September (named after "sept-" or seventh month)- 30

October (named after "oct-" or eighth month)- 31

November (named after "nov-" or ninth month)- 30

December (named after "dec-" or tenth month)- 31

January- 31

All days left over were given to February. Thus, it had 29 days, until Emperor Augustus got jealous of the fact that July (the month named after Julius Caesar) had one day more than August (the month named after himself). Thus, he allocated one more day for August from February. Thus, February has 28 days.

Nanayaranaraknas Vahdam - 6 years, 7 months ago

@Nanayaranaraknas Vahdam yes indeed! Your answer is correct. BTW Please pose your question as a separate comment and answers as replies to comments. Thanks :D

Why do humans have both a good and bad side to themselves (morally speaking).

Sharky Kesa - 6 years, 7 months ago

Because if they didn't have a bad side, there would be nothing spicy/interesting in life. It would totally be banal. There wouldnt be any police stations. (I know that I cant start a sentence with because...yet...)

Krishna Ar - 6 years, 7 months ago

I was just going to point that out :-P

-_-

@Kartik Sharma – -_- I hope you didn't expect me to write a thesis on Karma for this.

@Krishna Ar – No, I hoped you would write a 'scientific' answer

Humans are naturally good, but they have a natural tendency to rebel against the rules.This is part of the test of our life.If we fail ,we will go to hell for not following the good but if we pass, we will go to heaven for not leeting our desires guide us and for following the good whatever the consequences.

Abdur Rehman Zahid - 6 years, 7 months ago

Because if people don't have a bad side then this would be a bad thing that they are totally good, so this bad thing would be included in their bad side , so this would mean they have a bad side but we have concluded this on the hypothesis that they don't have a bad side , resulting to a paradox. So , god in order to prevent this paradox gave everybody a bad side. Always remember god is a mathematician and a philosopher.

Utkarsh Dwivedi - 6 years, 7 months ago

Doctors need patients. Police need criminals. Breakers need Makers. Trolls need ppl to troll. Everything is in perfect harmony, thus.

What does the fox say?

Aviral Chawla - 6 years, 7 months ago

Why in the book of irodov it is given that "simple problems are provided in the book" when they are actually difficult ones

John Watson - 6 years, 7 months ago

What is difficult for us may be simple for ppl like Irodov and Krishna Ar, you see.

=_=...You know that I'm still a noob at physics .BTW good question, @John Watson

@Krishna Ar – How do you know when any comment uses your name without even tagging?

@Satvik Golechha – Some things we may never know, but whenever someone mentions me, I don't get an email saying so. =_=

@Sharky Kesa – Then you've unsubscribed from it. +#Y+#+#%+&!%^

@Satvik Golechha – I haven't.

@Satvik Golechha – Hoodoo -_-

@Krishna Ar – Hoodoo or voodoo?

@Sharky Kesa – Hoodoo

Why are most people right-handed? (I'm in the minority :D)

Because the word "right" has many good meanings too like 'morally good, justified, or acceptable, true or correct as a fact and so on, it may be that people preferred to have their children to be "right" and then slowly, it became a stereotype.

This does not end it. If you cut the rat's tail for 50 generations, it won't get passed on.

@Satvik Golechha – "It may not get passed on"

The right side of the brain (the creative side) is in charge of the left hand area of the boy. The left side of the brain (the logic side) controls the right hand side of the body. Since writing is to jot done information, it requires the left side of the brain, which controls the right hand. Occasionally, these controls are inverted. Hence why most people are right handed.

Why does quantum mechanics make much sense? Being that double slit experiment is only possible explanation, I think.

If speed is always measured in respect to a reference point, and according to theory of relativity our time slows down as our speed increases. In what context this speed is measured?

Why do emotions cause humans to act irrationally?

Calvin Lin Staff - 6 years, 7 months ago

The Monty Hall game involves choosing between 3 doors, behind one of which has a prize, and then given a chance to change your selection after another door is revealed. It turns out that even pigeons do a better job playing this game than humans. It's fascinating see how, even after it's carefully explained to people why mathematically it makes better sense to switch, most people still refuse to switch. Why is it like that? Emotions are kind of like quick and dirty ways of making instant decisions, that have evolved over time, which works "most" of the time, but fails in more complicated situations that call for greater nuance and analysis. And it's another human trait to trust strong feelings first over conclusions drawn from careful reasoning. You know, like football loyalties and politics.

Michael Mendrin - 6 years, 7 months ago

I have answer some questions- Why do we cry while cutting onions? ANS :-When you cut an onion, it releases a gas called Propanethiol S-oxide. When mixed with certain enzymes in the onion, it creates a sulfur gas. These gases then get to your eyes and create a mild acid which irritates the eyes.

Why is the sky blue? Blue light is scattered in all directions by the tiny molecules of air in Earth's atmosphere. Blue is scattered more than other colors because it travels as shorter, smaller waves. This is why we see a blue sky most of the time.

Anuj Shikarkhane - 6 years, 7 months ago

Why do we dream?

Another question- Why do people fart? :D

http://io9.com/10-theories-that-explain-why-we-dream-897195110 Hence, the fact still remains, that everything in the world of science has a reason.

Why was Brilliant made?

math man - 6 years, 7 months ago

Brilliant was created to democratize the way smart, driven people are identified and developed.

@Satvik Golechha As you said that everything in the world of science has a reason, there is one question that scientists have $\color{#D61F06}{\text{NOT}}$ been able to answer. It is - Why do we sleep?

So that our cells in our body and metabolism of our body gets some time from active schedule and cells may repair themselves. As you cannot study whole day and night. Similarly cells in our body gets exhausted and if don't sleep for long duration. It may result weakness related diseases and malfunctioning of our brain cells. Am I scientist yet?

Aviral's right. This question's been answered by many non-scientists too

Krishna, that made me feel non-scientist. Brb crying

@Aviral Chawla – LOL No..I never said so

@Krishna Ar – With powers vested in me and some internet fellows, I announce myself as a scientist

@Aviral Chawla – Ahahah! xD........Proclaim would have been better...and please dont consider the laugh as something of a mockery

@Krishna Ar – "Chor ki daadhi mein tinka" Please.

@Aviral Chawla – I am from pakistan so I can understand what you,re saying but thers can,t unless they,re from the subcontinent.So please write this in English.

We sleep because we feel sleepy.

Not necessary, we can sleep even if we are not sleepy by taking medicines that can make you sleep.

@Anuj Shikarkhane – Then we don't sleep, we're made to sleep. It, on the other hand, has its own other reasons.

Just because they have,nt been able to answer it today does not mean they won,t be able to answer it tomorrow.

But when did I say that they won't be able to answer it tomorrow? @Abdur Rehman Zahid

Is there anything like God?

P.S. SG has already asked it in a separate note though

That is quite of a good question Kartik, but it totally depends that what do you consider god as!

Clearly,this universe could not have formed by itself there must be a being who has created it.

Why does Brilliant change its interface so often?

I think they're trying to find the best one. But I personally think the first one (1.32 years back) was the best.

why this note was made

To explore the great world of science by answering many "Why's", you know...

Why did you want to do that?

@Sharky Kesa – To start another contest, before Krishna does... :-P

@Satvik Golechha – Why would you want to start another contest before Krishna does?

@Sharky Kesa – So that Krishna can want the same after this, you see.

@Satvik Golechha – Why would you want Krishna to want the same after this?

Why do we ask so many "why's"?

Because humans naturally want to know more about this world we live in. .

why there are love?

Because there is hatred.

Yeah! Law of Conservation of Feelings?!

Why do mobile games turn out to be more addicting than the PC or console ones? And why do devs. add the energy and-"come back after xy time"-to-play system?

I actually know this but it would be great if I get some more educated opinions.

Saurabh Chauhan - 6 years, 7 months ago

Why is a Door called a Door?

Cuz a Door is a Door.

Haha! Nice answer.

@Anuj Shikarkhane – Yeah! Thanks. BTW You in 9th class?

@Satvik Golechha – No. You wont believe he's in 7th actually

@Krishna Ar – Why won' I believe? Ain' your sayin' this nuff fer me?

@Satvik Golechha – :D

@Krishna Ar – Hey! How do you know that?

@Anuj Shikarkhane – I saw you'd commented that y're in 7th...somewhere in the site

Door is not door, it is " do or..." (maybe the blank should be filled with "die"). When we say "Go shut the door, we are saying go shut the problem of "DO OR ...". So, the "doors" never have to be shut down rather they have always to be open for this problem always remains in our lives - DO OR DIE!

why do we use the term mutually perpendicular lines when perpendicular lines means the same?

Raven Herd - 6 years, 7 months ago

We usually say 'mutually' perpendicular for three lines.

Why everything has a reason ?

Because everything has a reason.

OH, this contest has ended.

Why is earth round?

Vansh Gupta - 6 years, 6 months ago

Imagine life if it were straight instead...

Satvik Golechha - 6 years, 6 months ago

@Satvik Golechha Have you announced the results of this contest?

Anuj Shikarkhane - 6 years, 6 months ago

@Anuj Shikarkhane – Contest's o'er, though I'd like ppl still participating, so I didn't post the results. Anyone in want of the same may see the comments on this note and count the upvotes. :)

Then there would be no same-sex marriges,. As simple as that!

Because it has no end :p

Abdur Rehman Zahid - 6 years, 6 months ago

Why don't bananas have seeds???

Yash Singhal - 6 years, 7 months ago

LOL Nice Question. Actually, bananas initially had seeds, but humans bred them such that their seeds couldn't mature, and just remain small black dots (which we see today too). So they reproduce by formation of rhizome-like structures called pups. So, everything has a reason.

Why do bees rub their legs?

Why do we cry while cutting onions?

No we don't. That's onion I think and I don't cry. (I have a tip)

'Why do we cry?' can be an independent question.

You can pose it... Though the answer is quite simple.

@Satvik Golechha – Yeah that's why I didn't pose..

Why is the sky blue?

Because of the scattering of light in the atmosphere. Blue is scattered the most. Hence, the sky is blue.

Why not violet then?

@Satvik Golechha – because it is not a primary color and so our eyes couldn't see it.

@Kartik Sharma – Wait! I can see violet colour.

@Satvik Golechha – But our eyes are more sensitive to blue than violet. Also, the sun emits more of the blue radiation than the violet.

@Kartik Sharma – I would ask one more question here that why does that happen?

I have answered that.

Will, after some time, everything have the same temperature, assuming that heat flows till the two objects attain the same temperature?

Why does February have only 28 days?

Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `\(` ... `\)` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$