Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2020 October 1

= October 1 =

Cleaning with soda
Cleaning power of vinegar is based on the chemical reaction which turns calcium carbonate deposits into calcium acetate which is soluble in water. Is washing soda cleaning power also based on chemical reaction? Washing soda forms calcium carbonate. Thank you. Hevesli (talk) 11:05, 1 October 2020 (UTC)
 * Washing soda is a mild alkali (base), and so it works like many bases, by saponification of oils and fats to form soluble surfactants (i.e. soap). Washing soda can form calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate if you have a hard water supply, but in the absence of those ions, will not do so.  Additionally, if it is not fully dissolved, washing soda can act as a mild abrasive which can help clean as well.  -- Jayron 32 11:25, 1 October 2020 (UTC)
 * I was wondering if someone else would address this but since no one did..... I don't think it's correct to say the "Cleaning power of vinegar is based on the chemical reaction which turns calcium carbonate deposits into calcium acetate which is soluble in water". It's obviously one important process depending on what you're cleaning, but it's not the only one. More generally a more acidic cleaner like vinegar may help remove other inorganic or mineral deposits/scaling e.g. soap scum besides just calcium carbonate deposits, and may also better dissolve stuff you are trying to remove than simply plain water. An alkaline, another acidic cleaning product or something else including simply soap or detergent may be better choice for some things, but it seems to me if you're talking about the "cleaning power of vinegar" the logical comparison is simply water. I had difficulty finding sources which actually talk about this which weren't crap but see e.g. our article Vinegar and [//aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_g/G304/welcome.html], [//extension.usu.edu/archive/home-cleaning-chemicals] and these non RS [//diy.stackexchange.com/questions/10835/how-do-i-remove-hard-deposits-from-my-glass-shower-door], [//chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/47510/would-the-mixture-of-vinegar-and-baking-soda-make-a-cleaning-agent]. Or for a very specific example [//sciencebob.com/clean-pennies-with-vinegar/] Nil Einne (talk) 16:53, 3 October 2020 (UTC)

Disinfecting power of limewater and milk of lime
What disinfecting ability have the limewater and the milk of lime în general and against viruses including the present virus?--109.166.128.144 (talk) 11:51, 1 October 2020 (UTC)
 * This articles seem to be a good place for you to start your research:, . The consensus seems to be that some viruses can be killed by limewater, but I can't find any information of its effect on SARS-CoV-2.  -- Jayron 32 11:50, 2 October 2020 (UTC)

puberty blocking drugs for cisgender children
What is the general societal view on cisgender children who want blockers "just because" they don't want deep voices/beards and mustaches or fullness of breast and hip? PAustin4thApril1980 (talk) 12:20, 1 October 2020 (UTC)


 * Like for many issues, there is a variety of mutually incompatible views on this issue, none of which can be considered a "general" societal view. --Lambiam 12:30, 1 October 2020 (UTC)
 * I also don't think this is a great question as, whether explicitly stated or not, its comparing the medical use of hormone therapy for those with gender dysmorphia to someone just not wanting a deeper voice. --OuroborosCobra (talk) 14:17, 1 October 2020 (UTC)


 * Sounds like Peter Pan, they need a psychologist. Or maybe they'll change their minds as soon as they start liking girls or boys, just have to tell them less and less people will be willing to date you the older you get if you did not have puberty and in a few years you'll be left with just sickos, predators and weirdos. Sagittarian Milky Way (talk) 15:27, 1 October 2020 (UTC)
 * What are you talking about? There are many healthy children who have different identities.  They aren't necessarily broken, and your attitude is something that seems dangerously backwards and insulting.  -- Jayron 32 15:36, 1 October 2020 (UTC)
 * So you want a cisgender person to look 9 forever? Oh I forgot, bone growth comes from human growth hormone, a different one than breasts and beards. If they still want to look like androgynous adults when they're adult then sure it's their choice. Making up puberty later like homework if you change your mind sounds impossible though which is interesting as you can't predict if it's just a phase without psychic powers. Maybe in practice it'll come down to if the parents are really socially liberal or not, the rest would at least wait till 6th grade or something right? You can still have almost no puberty if you blocked it then but they'll have a more informed decision of whether they really want to do this as they'll have known liking the opposite sex (or same, whichever they like) and are told how hard it'd be to get a non-predator who just has a really unusual tastes i.e. gray alien cosplay or eunuch fetish. I'm naïvely guessing that these people would be much hotter in the "middle of Kinsey scale guys" seeking men world than the straight world if they're men so that's a big plus if they like guys, they'll be rare and have their pick of middle of Kinsey scale guys. Sagittarian Milky Way (talk) 16:04, 1 October 2020 (UTC)
 * As for transgender it probably isn't hard to tell they're trapped in the wrong body with a brain scan, their desire to have the opposite sex's puberty should be respected ASAP. Well not precocious puberty by the medical definition which is a percentile almost 0 but if they want hormone doses and times not quite causing medically precociousness that should be okay. Man I wish I had almost precocious puberty, I could kiss girl before very late lol.. Sagittarian Milky Way (talk) 16:14, 1 October 2020 (UTC)
 * I don't want anything except for you to stop passing judgement and spouting stupidity. -- Jayron 32 16:26, 1 October 2020 (UTC)
 * Sure not wanting to grow up is perfectly normal, if everyone who ever said that avoided puberty there'd be a lot less pubertal adults around. I'd say wait till they like girls and/or boys first and are told what they're giving up before permanently halting puberty, is that stupid? Sagittarian Milky Way (talk) 16:38, 1 October 2020 (UTC)
 * That calls for an opinion. --jpgordon&#x1d122;&#x1d106; &#x1D110;&#x1d107; 16:57, 1 October 2020 (UTC)


 * I suggest someone close this thread (using the / templates); I was on the verge of doing it myself but I think it would be a bit dictatorial if nobody else approves. While the original question could have legitimate sourced answers (such as scholarly studies or opinion polls on the topic), the answers it actually attracted are plainly in the "opinions, predictions or debate" category. Tigraan Click here to contact me 16:36, 1 October 2020 (UTC)