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Question of the Week

June 30, 2009

How big are the wind turbines in wind farms?

There are two types of wind machines (turbines) used today based on the direction of the rotating shaft (axis): horizontal–axis wind machines and vertical-axis wind machines. The size of wind machines varies widely. Small turbines used to power a single home or business may have a capacity of less than 100 kilowatts. Some large commercial sized turbines may have a capacity of 5 million watts, or 5 megawatts. Larger turbines are often grouped together into wind farms that provide power to the electrical grid.

Most wind machines being used today are the horizontal-axis type. Horizontal-axis wind machines have blades like airplane propellers. A typical horizontal wind machine stands as tall as a 20-story building and has three blades that span 200 feet across. The largest wind machines in the world have blades longer than a football field! Wind machines stand tall and wide to capture more wind.

Source: Energy Information Administration (http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable/wind.html)

Past Questions of the Week

June 15, 2009

What does the term hoi polloi mean?

n. The common people; the masses.

Hoi polloi is a borrowing of the Greek phrase hoi polloi, consisting of hoi, meaning "the" and used before a plural, and polloi, the plural of polus, "many." In Greek hoi polloi had a special sense, "the greater number, the people, the commonalty, the masses." This phrase has generally expressed this meaning in English since its first recorded instance, in an 1837 work by James Fenimore Cooper. Hoi polloi is sometimes incorrectly used to mean "the elite," possibly because it is reminiscent of high and mighty or because it sounds like hoity-toity.

Source: Dictionary.com

June 8, 2009

Who were the Janissaries?

The Janissaries were a group of highly trained professional soldiers of the Ottoman Empire. The word Janissary comes from a Turkish term meaning new troops. Sultan Murad I, the Ottoman ruler, probably organized the Janissaries in the 1300's. They were considered slaves of the sultan. They were known for their discipline and their early use of handheld firearms. Janissaries made up the select core of the Ottoman army until they became a threat to the sultan's authority and were outlawed in 1826.

Source: World Book Encyclopedia

June 1, 2009

What is the legend of El Chupacabra?

The legend of El Chupacabra originated in Puerto Rico. El Chupacabra is supposedly part space alien, pare vampire and part reptile, with long sharp claws and bulging eyes. It reportedly attacked turkeys, goats, rabbits, dog, cats, cows and horses, sucking the blood from them. However, officials in Puerto Rico investigated the claims and found that all the animals had died under normal circumstances.

Source: The Mystery Chronicles: More Real Life X-Files by Joe Nickell

May 25, 2009

What was the State of Franklin?

In 1784, North Carolina ceded part of its western lands to the federal government. Before Congress could vote to accept the region, North Carolina withdrew the offer. The people of the area already governed themselves under the so-called Watauga Association. It was organized as a state between 1784 and 1788, and had its own constitution and governor, John Sevier. It was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin. The state of Franklin was denied admission to the Union and when Sevier's term ended as governor, Franklin rejoined North Carolina. In 1796, the region became part of the new state of Tennessee.

Source: World Book Encyclopedia

May 18, 2009

What was the Dred Scott Decision?

Dred Scott was an African American slave who was taken by his master from a slave state, Missouri, to a free state, Illinois, and then to free territory in Wisconsin. Scott's master was called back to Missouri by the U.S. Army and he took Scott back with him. Shortly after returning to Missouri, Scott's master died.

Scott sued for his freedom in court and the suit went all the way to the Supreme Court. The decision by the Supreme Court was seven to two against Scott. The Supreme Court declared no slave or descendant of a slave could be a U.S. citizen, or ever had been a U.S. citizen. As a non-citizen, the court stated, Scott had no rights and could not sue in a Federal Court and must remain a slave.

May 11, 2009

What were the dogs of President Reagan, President Ford and President Truman named?

Ronald Reagan owned two dogs, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Rex and a Bouvier des Flandres named Lucky. Lucky was sent to live in California leaving just Rex, the little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel at the White House.

Gerald Ford owned a Golden Retriever named Liberty who gave birth to nine puppies at the White House.

Harry S. Truman owned a mutt named Feller and an Irish Setter named Mike.

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