Why » Science & Tech

Why is Excel rounding numbers?

Hari — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:41:10 +0000

Excel is a piece of software or application that is able to handle data involving numbers. When one wants his/her data to be computed involving several mathematical equations, he/she can do it easily using an Excel spreadsheet. By simply clicking on the function buttons that do a specific purpose, one can have the answer to a particular mathematical equation in an instant. But with all the computations involved using an Excel spreadsheet, many people have noticed that decimal places may be automatically rounded off to the nearest ten. This may be helpful for some people but may be annoying to those who want exact figures, including decimal points and places.

The only main reason that numbers are rounded up in an Excel spreadsheet is that the round function is activated, and the program just wants to shorten the display of figures and numbers. Without the rounding up feature, figures will seem to “not fit” in a particular cell on a spreadsheet. When this particular function is enabled, the application will automatically round up figures with supposed decimal places. What the users will usually see are exact figures and numbers without decimal points and places. When the figures involve money, for example, the Excel spreadsheet will display only the money value without the cents. But the application does not just delete the remaining decimal places or the cents in money values, for example. It automatically computes and rounds up the numbers to the nearest ten resulting in the display of full numbers without decimal points.

Because of Excel’s rounding up function, the calculations and totals may have a different result. This is why many people dislike this function and try to disable it every time a spreadsheet is used. By setting Excel on specific formats, like the number of decimal places, one will have exact values and the right calculations.

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Why is rust red?

Hari — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:22:37 +0000

When a piece of metal goes through a process of oxidation, it is said to have rust or rust formation. Most rust that people see on iron has a reddish or orange color, and so when people think of rust, they usually think of it as red in color. From the term “oxidation,” one can assume that oxygen is involved in the process of rust formation. And, true enough, oxygen is the main chemical that sort of initiates the formation of rust on metals. Being dissolved in air, oxygen is able to come in contact with iron, for example. And when this happens, iron will react in a way that rust will form on many parts of its surface.

Chemically, upon contact with oxygen and iron, iron oxides will form, and these usually come as a reddish color. This is the simple reason that people always associate rust with a reddish color. Some people think it’s more brownish or orange, but the color of iron oxide pretty much falls into the red and orange sides of the color wheel. During oxidation, what actually happens is that the iron oxides formed will remain in the water, but as it evaporates, some of the particles remain on the iron’s surface. These particles are what people see as a red coating on the metal’s surface. There are also parts on the surface that resemble flakes and dust which are also part of the rust formation.

But without the presence of moisture or oxygen on metals, rust will not form. There are also other metals that are quite resistant to oxidation and so they do not rust easily. But in the strictest sense, rust could actually form in a different color. This happens when another type of metal is exposed to moisture. But since the most commonly used metal is iron, most rust that people see is reddish in color.

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Why is Java called Java?

Hari — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:41:27 +0000

Java originated from the C and C++ languages. The C programming language is the portable language which can be run on computer s. The C++ language is similar to C which has the features of being able to generate classes for the object programs. This creation of classes was the main concept behind object- oriented programming. The Java users could realize the significance of Java for having evolved from C++ programming. It is easy for the C++ programmers to use Java properly as the advanced features not done in C++ are satisfied in Java. The unreached tasks in C++ are completed using Java.

The C and C++ programs are portable, and they have to be compiled again in every system to make them run. The executable program that is generated for the Linux operating system might not be able to run on a Windows computer. The portable programs have to be recompiled when they are taken to different target machines. Running these programs is a complex process, and they might cause some errors too. But the Java program is a binary portable. It can be run on various platforms without a recompilation process. The output from the compilation process can be run directly on the target computer without any interruption.

Java was previously called “Oak,” and is an object-oriented programming language that is formulated by Sun Microsystems. Java was found to make it easy for the program to get executed in the network in spite of the code not being trusted. So many features were eliminated from C and C++ to create Java. Programs in Java will not be able to access arbitrary memory space, and it has no pointer concept. The compiled byte code of the Java program will be decoded by the Java interpreter.

The name of “Java” was created when the software team after several sessions desired to give it a name for the new technology which had more speed, interactivity, animation, and many more features. The name “Java” was suggested as it represents the hot, aromatic tea that is liked by the software professionals to have more often. As this new technology was a challenging one, it was named “Java.”

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Why is Shockwave Flash crashing?

Hari — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 20:10:42 +0000

Shockwave Flash is a software that allows for video playback on Web browsers. Since it handles video, it means that quite a big file is processed for a particular file to be viewed properly. A video file may be as short as a few seconds but could be long enough to drain the battery of a computer , for example. Because of the large file that may be involved in viewing a video file through Shockwave Flash, there is also a big tendency for it to crash or stop working.

But aside from the video file being too large to be handled by Shockwave Flash, there are also other possible instances that may cause this particular program to crash and stop working. In the case of Web browsers, there may be problems with the necessary plug-it files that are needed to play the video file. Plug-its may be outdated or corrupt which make it difficult for the browser to view the file properly. For outdated plug-its, browsers may be updated regularly for this purpose.

There are also browsers that have built-in Shockwave Flash players to handle video content. But even if the built-in software contains the latest file updates, there may also be times where the program will crash. Under standard conditions, Shockwave Flash will run using files originally installed on the computer’s operating software and not through the built-in program on the browser used by the person. With this configuration, there may be times that the Shockwave Flash player or application itself will get lost in terms of which files to use for playing a certain video file. When this happens, then the application will crash.

The user’s Internet connection may also play a role in making the Shockwave Flash program crash. If the connection is too slow, video files may stop uploading and/or downloading and eventually stop playing or working.

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Why is an atom neutral?

Hari — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:18:13 +0000

An atom is considered the most basic unit of matter, and it is considered neutral or neutrally-charged simply because it contains the same numbers of protons and electrons. Protons and electrons have opposite charges, but they basically cancel out each other making the charge neutral.

There are actually three particles that make up an atom and these are; neutrons, protons, and electrons. The outer part of an atom is formed by multiple electrons that have negative charges. The inner portion, called the nucleus, is meanwhile composed of the other two particles called protons and neutrons. Neutrons are those that have a neutral charge as the name suggests. Protons, meanwhile, contain a positive electrical charge. For a typical atom, the number of protons at the nucleus always equals the number of electrons that surround them. So even if the protons and electrons contain opposite electrical charges, they wouldn’t be able to cause a reaction because their charges will even out with each other. Because of this configuration in terms of the proton and electron charge, the atom will contain a neutral charge.

Under normal conditions, the placement of atomic particles stays where it is, and that is referring to the protons and neutrons lying at the center, or nucleus, while the electrons are formed on the outside parts. This basic atomic structure is said to be maintained by an electromagnetic force. If there is no such force, then the particles will not be bound together. In the same way, all atoms that are electromagnetically bound together form a bigger substance called a molecule. The charge for a molecule depends on whether the atoms combined are positively or negatively charged. Atoms that are positively charged or negatively charged become an ion. But in standard conditions, the charge of an atom remains neutral because of the equal number of positive protons and negative electrons.

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Why is sugar white?

Hari — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:16:32 +0000

Most people understand that sugar is white because most sugars available in grocery stores and supermarkets today are white. Not all people are aware of the fact that the original color of sugar is actually brown. This basically explains why some people encounter brown sugar and white sugar when going to the market, for example. The refining process is what makes brown sugar turn into the white sugar that most people are familiar with.

Under normal conditions and standard processing, sugar will come out as brown because of the molasses content. Basically, raw sugarcane is pressed for its juices and undergoes several processing stages wherein the end result is the formation of brown sugar crystals. But by adding other chemicals or substances and/or introducing a new stage in the sugar-making process, sugar can be made powdery white in color. One such process is through adding sulphur dioxide to the juice extracted from the raw sugarcane. Before the juice is processed for evaporation, sulphur dioxide is mixed with the cane juice to literally cause a bleaching effect on the mixture. With this procedure alone, the sugar crystals that will be produced will be white.

Another procedure to make sugar white involves additional processing to remove the brown or outer coating of sugar crystals. This process will make the brown sugar whiter, and it will even become whiter if chemicals such as calcium hydroxide are added to the mixture. This particular chemical will act to absorb various impurities in the mixture resulting in the whitening of the sugar. Some manufacturing companies also use phosphoric acid for this purpose while others prefer carbon dioxide. With these substances, the molasses content that makes the sugar brown will be removed and thereby result in white sugar crystals. So basically, the additional refinement procedures are done to make the sugar appear white instead of brown.

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Why is aluminum a metal?

Hari — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:08:41 +0000

Some people are not familiar with the properties of metals and so frequently question whether aluminum belongs to this particular group of substances or to other groups like non-metals, for example. But for the simple reasons that aluminum has various characteristics of metal objects, then it is officially considered a metal.

One such characteristic of basic metals is the conductivity of heat and electricity. Aluminum is a substance that is able to conduct both heat and electricity making it a pure, metallic mineral or object. To demonstrate this particular metallic property, many people are familiar with appliances and kitchenware that are made of this particular element or substance. A basic housewife can attest to the fact that she can cook using aluminum pots and pans because they are able to conduct and absorb heat from a stove burner, for example.

Most people also know that aluminum is able to conduct electricity. In fact, aluminum can be cut into small and flat sheets and wires which are very useful in the manufacture and setup of many electronic products and devices. With aluminum being abundantly available, it is also widely used by many people for a variety of purposes like in electronics, the making of kitchenware and utensils, and in canning various food items.

As a metal, though, aluminum is usually found combined with other minerals or metals. With the evolution of science and technology, aluminum can easily be sourced and separated from other minerals. This also explains its wide use across different industries. Many people particularly like aluminum’s anti-corrosion properties. This particular property is great to have in metals like aluminum as it makes them stronger and resistant to easy damage. Even when exposed to heat, aluminum proves to be a strong metal and perfect for cooking pans, pots, and dishes. Being a metal with strong, anti-corrosion properties, this type of kitchenware will last longer.

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Why is sodium Na?

Hari — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:06:35 +0000

Many people know sodium as basic table salt. For the most part, this statement is true because table salt is actually the most common type of this particular mineral. When somebody says that the body needs some amount of sodium for functioning, then he/she may be referring to the body’s salt requirements. In the same way, when a chef, for example, mentions that a certain dish has too much sodium, then he/she is actually referring to too much salt added to the particular dish. In general terms, when people talk about sodium, they usually mean table salt.

But aside from knowing that sodium is actually table salt, some people refer to sodium as “Na.” ”Na” is actually the elemental symbol for this important mineral. For obvious reasons, many would wonder why sodium is given the symbol “Na” when there is no letter “N” or letter “A” in the word “sodium” itself. The symbols for particular minerals and elements actually fascinate some people and make them question the origins for these given names. And in the case of sodium, “Na” actually comes from the word “natrium” which is basically the Latin word for sodium or sodium carbonate. With this very basic explanation, one would easily understand the explanation behind the “Na” symbol or alternative name for sodium.

As a mineral, sodium, or “Na,” is an important part of the body. It is contained within the bodily fluids that surround the cells performing vital or important functions. When there is not an adequate amount of this particular mineral, the body is said to undergo an imbalance in fluids. This simply means that sodium plays an important part in maintaining the balance of fluids and electrolytes. This equilibrium, or balanced state, refers to the body’s pH levels. But aside from sodium’s contribution to the body’s pH balance, it is also very important in other aspects such as the functioning of nerves and muscles. Without this mineral, normal functioning of these body parts will be impaired.

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Why do wires get hot?

Hari — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 13:34:05 +0000

The wire will become hot as it is smaller to pass the rated current inside. Any wire will not have zero resistance. The resistance might be near to nil but not totally nil. If current passes through a wire that has some resistance, a voltage always exists in-between the ends of the wire. This happens according to the formula:

Voltage = amp*resistance in ohms.

The voltage that has developed will be identified as power according to the relationship between voltage and power as:

Power in watts = amps * voltage.

If the power in the wire is higher than the power dissipation from the wire, then it becomes warm and hot. Actually, the current that passes through the wire which has resistance generates heat. If the current passes through the conductor which has no resistance or superconductor without resistance, then heat will not be generated. Similarly, if the wire has resistance and does not have any current passing through it, then the heat will not be generated. The resistance in the wire that blocks the flow of electrons will tend to create heat. Heat is generated here as the electrons in the atoms of the conductor element or element of the wire will get displaced from the atoms during the flow of current. These electrons are restricted from moving, and this electrical energy of the electrons will be transformed into heat as they are prevented from flowing due to resistance.

As the wire keeps on resisting the current flow, it will become hotter. If a person pushes a heavy weight, the work done for pushing it will be more, and the person has to sweat more. If the wire is big in size, the current can make the wire hotter. If the wire is small in size, the same current might melt the wire due to the excess heat.

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Why do designers use Macs?

Hari — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:21:33 +0000

Designers in general think that they want to be cool while working on graphic designing. Working with Apple products is also a cool experience for the designers, probably. In the perspective of both hardware and software, the products from Apple are considered as well-designed, and designers are found to be interested in this aspect very much. The designers say that Apple is a design-led company while Microsoft is a technology-led company.

If a Wi-Fi connection has to be set from the system having Windows Vista, it would be the equivalent to a tiny exercise. If the properties of the network connection are not set correctly, the “connect to the network” dialog box will not allow the user to enter the password and get connected to the Internet. The person must know initially that there are certain, hidden features which have to be toggled with in order to connect to the Internet. In the case of Macintosh, there will be simply a Wi-Fi (airport) option which can be clicked to get the various types of networks available. The relevant network can be selected, and the password can be given after selecting it. This is very simple and easy for the new person also to enter into the network. There will not be any hidden settings that have to be set before entering the password.

Macintosh is designed in such a way that the user finds it easy to operate. Windows appears to be focused on doing any complicated process as long as it reaches the end and gives the result. Designers like the process to be simple and focused on the user. Designers generally think that the picture that they have in their minds has to be brought onto the screen without much lengthy procedures and disturbances in their way. They generally prefer not to battle with the settings, and they feel it to be irrelevant. That is probably why designers choose to use Macintosh. Some of the reasons for the designers to choose Macs for their work are:

Best graphics platform.
Less down time with enhanced productivity.
Perfect for high-end graphics application.
Use of advanced graphics tools.
Output is high in quality.

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