Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2019 December 17

= December 17 =

Mean maximum (temperature) versus average high
At San_Juan,_Puerto_Rico, what is the difference between the "mean maximum" and the "average high"? It seems to me like they should be the same thing. Bubba73 You talkin' to me? 04:49, 18 December 2019 (UTC)


 * Literally, it means about the same, but there's more than one way to define an average maximum. I guess that for "mean maximum" you take the highest temperature measured in January, February, ... or the entire year and average that over 30 years. For "average high" you take the highest temperature measured on each day in a particular month, then average that over the entire month, then over 30 years. Note that the mean maximum of the entire year is higher than that of each month, but the average high of the entire year is the mean of the monthly average highs. The same for the average low and the mean minimum. PiusImpavidus (talk) 09:43, 18 December 2019 (UTC)


 * OK, the mean maximum must be taking the highest temperature that month, not the highest temperature of each day in the month. Bubba73 You talkin' to me? 19:50, 22 December 2019 (UTC)

Condensation and flatulence
On a cold day when one breathes out, you may see a puff of water vapour or condensation. I am curious if it is possible to see flatulence on such a day? Would it be possible to see a puff of vapour and thus alert a victim that the pin has been pulled before the grenade goes off? Please assume good faith. Thanks. Anton 81.131.40.58 (talk) 13:56, 17 December 2019 (UTC)


 * No. Moisture in outgoing breath originates in the Respiratory epithelium mucosa lining of the airways of the Respiratory tract while Flatulence is invisible gas accumulated in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, especially the colon. DroneB (talk) 14:29, 17 December 2019 (UTC)
 * Could flatulence not contain elements of water in a gaseous form? How about if someone were to "shart". Thanks. Anton 81.131.40.58 (talk) 14:41, 17 December 2019 (UTC)
 * Did you used to have a user ID called "Light current"? ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 15:10, 17 December 2019 (UTC)

No. Anton 81.131.40.58 (talk) 14:41, 17 December 2019 (UTC)
 * Can Baseball Bugs kindly cease and desist from deleting other people's posts. It has been requested that we assume good faith. Your editing in this regard is not wanted, needed or appreciated! Anton. 81.131.40.58 (talk) 10:50, 18 December 2019 (UTC)
 * I didn't delete it. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 11:06, 18 December 2019 (UTC)
 * In which case I apologise, and refer to whoever did. Anton 81.131.40.58 (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 13:50, 18 December 2019 (UTC)
 * If I read the history correctly, it seems user:nimur did . Probably a mistake and no malfeasance meant. --Lgriot (talk) 15:33, 18 December 2019 (UTC)
 * Probably not, because the large intestine is good at absorbing water. By contrast, the respiratory passages don't absorb water in large amounts. Rather, they keep the inhaled air moist, and will lose water to the air to do so, which is what leads to nosebleeds in dry conditions. This is to protect the delicate alveoli from damage. --47.146.63.87 (talk) 12:57, 19 December 2019 (UTC)
 * Thank you very much 47.146.63.87. Anton. 81.131.40.58 (talk) 13:56, 19 December 2019 (UTC)