Whilst walking in the snow i noticed that around electricy pylons the snow had formed a spiky texture similar to that of some cystal structures, all pointing in the direction of the pylons. Is this to do with magnetic attraction of the polar water molecules or something more comlex than my simple chemsitry can explain?

Thanks

Superconducting materials are said to have zero resistance. Not 'close to zero' – but actually zero. I’m probably missing something, but doesn’t that imply that they can carry unlimited currents? It doesn’t seem very believable -  it would mean a thin superconducting wire could happily carry the output from all the power stations on Earth put together . . . Are there limits? If so what are they?

Is it better to boil water in a kettle or on a gas hob. Which is better for preventing global warming?

With planning and construction of semi-permanent moon bases and similar for Mars, infrastructure will have already been considered, including electrics. Have the engineers pondered this question too? And have they decided on a solution.

If you have a current going through a fluorescent bulb tube and you smash it, for a split second there is a yellow flash as the gas escapes. What I'm wondering is what causes the yellow flash if the light coming out originally is a mix of colours that make white light?

If you have a current going through a fluorescent bulb tube and you smash it, for a split second there is a yellow flash as the gas escapes. What I'm wondering is what causes the yellow flash if the light coming out originally is a mix of colours that make white light?

This was originally posted on Yahoo! Answers. No one could find a solution to my problem and someone sent me here.

My house was not humid at all.

I'd like to start out by saying that I don't believe in magic, I'm not on drugs, and I honestly have no idea what's going on. A couple of weeks ago I fell asleep in my room with the lights on (I know the details are pointless, but I don't want to miss anything). When I woke up, I went to go on my Alienware M17X. The night before I slept with the lights on I didn't go to sleep at all. I started to type and was literally shocked by the side of the computer. I thought it was a jab or something, so I kept going. The electrical shock hurt. I got shocked again, and again. I decided to leave my computer alone and go up to my dad. I rested my chin (yes, rested my chin) on my dad's MacBook Pro, and found that I also got shocked from it. I touched the surface and felt a weird feeling on it. Like vibration, but only when I moved. I asked my dad about it and he said that he had never felt that. I forgot about it for a couple of days. The next couple of days, I was cutting some meat so my little brother could eat it. I was shocked from the metal knife, and immediately there was a small burn mark on my finger (it has healed well, but it's still there). Many, many other cases have happened and they all hurt like hell. I walk on my bare feet and I don't drag them. I drink mainly water and sometimes juice. I don't think I'm developing supernatural powers. I just want an explanation, and any would be great.

• 1 week ago
• - 1 day left for voting

Additional Details I would like to add that I also felt the shock on my brother's laptop. I would appreciate someone reading all of this before dismissing it. If my father never felt a vibration, why should I? Why would all of the laptops in the house have this problem, and only for me? Why would I get shocked with a knife? I told you: I'm not on drugs, I don't believe in magic, and I don't believe in superpowers. I would like a rational explanation.

1 week ago

It's very puzzling. As I doubt my body can conduct electricity, I don't know how the knife shocked me. But I still have the small burn on my finger. I wouldn't joke about this, if anyone is wondering. There's no point. I appreciate all of the answers, but if there's a doctor or scientist who might know what's going on, I'd appreciate your answer even more. Thanks. My original post - http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100812062049AAmrtCK&r=w