Brain Teasers
Aussie Toilets
Group
These brain teasers rely on your ability to recognize groups of common attributes. For each of these puzzles you'll need to figure out why the words or letters are grouped as they are. Sometimes you will be asked to pick the odd-one-out or to place a new word into the correct group.Group
What word does not belong to the group below? Why?
Earth
CD's
Clock
Venus
DVD's
Watch
Earth
CD's
Clock
Venus
DVD's
Watch
Answer
EarthThe rest of the words all involve something that spins clockwise.
CD's/DVD's spin clockwise in machine
Clock/Watch have hands moving clockwise
Venus rotates clockwise on its axis
Earth is not unique. All of the planets in our solar system, except for Venus, rotate anti-clockwise on their axes.
Title: Aussie toilets are commonly misrepresented to spin clockwise due to the Coriolis effect.
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Comments
I tohught Earth spun clockwise
gud teaser. would've neva thout uv it
Huh. I knew Venus was the oddball when it came to orbits, but I didn't know which direction it went in.
That was a good riddle. The only thing I can correct is that the word is counter-clockwise, not anti-clockwise. Sorry, I've always been picky about those things. *shrug*
That was a good riddle. The only thing I can correct is that the word is counter-clockwise, not anti-clockwise. Sorry, I've always been picky about those things. *shrug*
in tdepends where you live! the correct word in Australia is anti clockwise
same here in the UK, anti clockwise
it the correct term.
it the correct term.
I would think (though I've never heard anti-clockwise before), that either term would be fine, since they both describe the motion in a perfectly understandable way, and are separate words.
It's kind of like saying "no, it's not 'reverse,' it's 'backwards.'"
It's kind of like saying "no, it's not 'reverse,' it's 'backwards.'"
That was ez!
Of course once again I did not get it but I guessed it right!! I didnt know that u said anti clockwise in Austraila. thats a cool word
Well.. I thought it was earth bcoz its the only word that began with a vowel..
Geographical location does not have any definite effect on the rotational direction of spiraling water. Water spirals due to a phenomenon known as the coriolis effect which deals with centripital force in water. Though it is more common for toilets to spin clockwise above the equator and counterclockwise below due to the Earth's rotation, it is not definite - other gravitational effects often play a role.
SUPERNETZ ; The coriolis effect has everything to do with what hemisphere you live in, and subsiquently is crucial to your argument.
don't "Aussie" toilets spin counter clockwise because they are below the equator?
very cool, thought the title confused me, and i never realized the water went clockwise in aussie toilets... but i faintly remember something like this on the simpsons. lol. great try!!
Uranus and Pluto also have retrograde rotation. They rotate in the opposite direction of which they revolve around the sun like Venus does. I've always been curious about using the words "counter-clockwise" or "anti-clockwise" in describing Earth's rotation, because one must assume that your point of view is from above the North Pole looking back "down" at the Earth. These terms require a point of view reference to be meaningful like the words "right" and "left". If you were looking at it from the South Pole the Earth's rotation would appear to be "clockwise" from that perspective.
Thank you. Learned a couple of things today.
I forget where I saw it, but somewhere online I saw a write up of the whole theory of the coriolis effect affecting toilets. Essentially it doesn't affect the toilets at all. In order for it to do so, you would have to have a toilet with a bowl was perfectly circular at the rim and hyperbolic in cross-section. The hole would have to be at the very center of the bowl and at the bottom-most part, and there would have to a stopper at the hole that would have to disappear instantaneously when the toilet was flushed. After the bowl was filled with water, you would have to wait days for the miniscule currents in the water to settle down. If all of that could happen, then you could see the coriolis effect in the toilet when it was flushed. In reality, the direction of spin has more to do with the shape of the bowl than it does with the Earth's spin.
That was interesting most people don't equate technology with planets.
Briliant, great teaser!
Great Teaser!! Good Job
Good Teaser - I knew it was related to rotation, but wasn't sure which one was the answer.... I like learning something new.
I guessed "watch" because it's the only thing on the list of which the entire thing doesn't rotate (only the hands). Add: Eddys in South American toilets (being below the equator) also spin counter.
NO WAY I GOT IT RIGHT!!!!
YAY!
u did a good job on this one
YAY!
u did a good job on this one
Well to tell you all the truth, Aussie toilets dont really spin much at all
Who Knew.. about the toilets , i mean . great teaser.
Jun 15, 2007
Another difference in the items listed, is that DVD's is the only term that doesn't have another meaning. Earth can also mean 'dirt', CD's can mean 'certificate's of deposit', Venus can also refer to the statue, watch can also mean to 'look at', and clock can refer to the act of timing something.
DVD stands for 'digital versitale disk'.
DVD stands for 'digital versitale disk'.
Great Teaser! Any teaser that gets this kind of action in the comments is OK in my book!
LET ME SEE IF I GET THIS, :
ARE YOU SAYING URANUS SPINS COUNTER CLOCKWISE IN AN AUSSIE TOILET??? ouch... Hmmmmm, teehee
ARE YOU SAYING URANUS SPINS COUNTER CLOCKWISE IN AN AUSSIE TOILET??? ouch... Hmmmmm, teehee
I learned something new today. This is something I truly never thought about. So I have to say, this is a great teaser.
Got my head spinning,but I'm not sure in which direction.But really wasn't that hard to figure out.
I voted for watch. The reason, all the other things are circular. A watch does not have to be.
I thought of another reason for watch if we take the spin angle. All the other items spin in their entirety. A watch's hand move only and that is assuming it is not a digital display.
I wanted to say watch, because it is the only word in the group that is both a noun and a verb.
I thought of the rotation bit, but then thought of the possibility of a watch being digital, rather then analog.
I thought of the rotation bit, but then thought of the possibility of a watch being digital, rather then analog.
http://www.snopes.com/science/coriolis.asp
Saying you picked the watch because it doesn't rotate would mean that you have a rotating clock. Can I see it?
Good trivia question, but not really a teaser.
All those in favor of the "watch" answer: couldn't all of yoru arguments also hold for "clock"? It too does not necessarily have to be shaped like a circle, nor does any part but the hands spinning. Just wondering.
Great teaser!
Great teaser!
Jun 15, 2007
I didnt get this one, not even close
I said "Earth" only because it started with a vowel instead of a constanant
IT MAKE MORE SENCE THAN I THOUGHT, GOOD WORK
If you view the Earth from underneath, would it not appear to rotate clockwise?
WITHOUT THE TITLE, I WOULD HAVE HAD TO THINK, BUT THE TITLE WAS AN IMMEDIATE GIVE AWAY.
RENAME IT AND IT WON'T BE SO OBVIOUS.
AN OLD PUZZLE REFERS TO THE DIRECTION OF THE WATER FLOW DOWN A TOILET IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE, AS DID OUR 9th GRADE SCIENCE TEACHER.
WATER IN A SINK OR TOILET (AN OLDER ONE AT LEAST) IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE FLOWS OUT COUNTER/ANTI- CLOCKWISE.
RENAME IT AND IT WON'T BE SO OBVIOUS.
AN OLD PUZZLE REFERS TO THE DIRECTION OF THE WATER FLOW DOWN A TOILET IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE, AS DID OUR 9th GRADE SCIENCE TEACHER.
WATER IN A SINK OR TOILET (AN OLDER ONE AT LEAST) IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE FLOWS OUT COUNTER/ANTI- CLOCKWISE.
all these comments, have my head spinning...Counter clockwise of couse!!
I had to really think this one out, but I got it in the end. That was harder than I thought. Thanks for the post.
Monday~
Monday~
Ummmmm... what is an aussie toilet???
Well... it was a great teaser! I didn't get the answer though. I thought it was things that rotate, but then i looked at the things and they all rotated. Well that shows you just how smart I am.
Well... it was a great teaser! I didn't get the answer though. I thought it was things that rotate, but then i looked at the things and they all rotated. Well that shows you just how smart I am.
The title told me that it had something to do with direction of ratation but I didn't know which way any of those rotated (except the clock and watch of course.. ). Anyway, great teaser!!
I knew it had to do with spinning, but that,s as far as I got/
Jun 15, 2007
If you're going to post to a list that intelligent people subscripe to, then learn how the difference between a plural and a possessive s. The plural of DVD is DVDs.
Great teaser, I learned something and got a laugh out of it too
is anti-clockwise a word? I always say counterclockwise, lol, but, this was still a very cool teaser!
I really liked this teaser. The title did give the answer away. I only knew the answer b/c it.
It is amazing how much you learn reading the comments. I would have never known that "anti-clockwise' was a term in other parts of the world.
Also the whole "reason behind water rotation in toilets" debate is a little interesting, and also a little ridiculous after 3 or 4 comments.
As for the whole possessive or plural 's' issue...Stop being so angry. You can make a comment without being ugly. It wasn't even something worth commenting on regardless to how intelligent you deem yourself.
Again...really loved the teaser
It is amazing how much you learn reading the comments. I would have never known that "anti-clockwise' was a term in other parts of the world.
Also the whole "reason behind water rotation in toilets" debate is a little interesting, and also a little ridiculous after 3 or 4 comments.
As for the whole possessive or plural 's' issue...Stop being so angry. You can make a comment without being ugly. It wasn't even something worth commenting on regardless to how intelligent you deem yourself.
Again...really loved the teaser
It is incorrect to say that Earth or Venus rotates clockwise or counterclockwise (or anticlockwise). This is based only on a particular viewpoint. When viewed from above the north pole, Earth or Venus rotates in one direction. When viewed from above the other pole, it rotates in the opposite direction. This is similar to saying that New York is to the right of California. Rubbish! If you are facing south New York is to the left of California. While with clocks and CD players there exists a functional top, there is no functional top of Earth or Venus. North pole or south pole, they are equivalent.
i got the right answer bot for the wrong reasons Earth is the only word that starts with a vowel
I said Venus. It is the only item on the list that is NOT found on Earth.
Jun 15, 2007
To aantenna;
DVD's is singular possesive, which is how I used it in the sentence. It could be read either way, DEPENDING on how it was punctuated.
DVD's is singular possesive, which is how I used it in the sentence. It could be read either way, DEPENDING on how it was punctuated.
Jun 15, 2007
I did in my haste mispell 'versatile' in my first post,sorry.
Jun 15, 2007
And I misspelled 'misspell' on purpose
Jun 15, 2007
'donfrench' has a good point.
I think you either 'know it' or don't know it. I'm of the latter, but enjoyed the answer and how it related to the title.
I have read all the comments and "corrections", but aside from the spelling mistakes nobody corrected the use of the word AXES that should have been AXIS!
Some people have so much to say about toilet water rotation. I'm just happy if mine works!!! Fun teaser by the way.
You really got me with that one,but it waws fun trying
I thought these teasers were supposed to be fun! I did'nt realize that some members were keeping score on mistakes! Petty Clever, and fun teaser Axton Aantenna, is there really such a word as subsripe as you used in your comment or did you make a simple mistake in spelling? If there is, then I am as dumb as they come
quincess is right!!
Actually, 'axes' is right where it is used. It is the plural form of 'axis.'
tat was really hard...or im just stupid
Loved the teaser, though I didn't get it! I was glad to see phrebh's comment above, so I didn't have to write it. Murray has learned alot in ninth grade science class, though his teacher was wrong on this one. He/she fell victim to the urban legend (and passed it on) re:which direction water goes down the drain based on hemisphere... That's a theoretical example, not real life. THANKS FOR SUBMITTING A FUN TEASER!
very fun, very hard, very good.
I just thinking, everything except venus is on earth. so Venus is out of place. hehe
I know we're not supposed to suggest corrections here, but I think it serves to respond to all those people talking about coreolis and whatnot as well .. and I can't be bothered to find the appropriate method to submit a correction.
The only thing that could use an update is the mention of the spinning of water in Aussie toilets. It should just say that there is a common misconception that the direction of water swirling in the Southern Hemisphere is opposite to that in the Northern Hemisphere. That's all that's needed!
The only thing that could use an update is the mention of the spinning of water in Aussie toilets. It should just say that there is a common misconception that the direction of water swirling in the Southern Hemisphere is opposite to that in the Northern Hemisphere. That's all that's needed!
GrossGross..............Gross.....Grosser
iThe Terem is Counter Clockwise, not Anti.
^ You're very ethnocentric, I see.
Decent teaser. Quite easy.
Decent teaser. Quite easy.
Stick to my comment in 2007
I am annoyed the title of the teaser totally gave the answer away before I really got to think about it on my own.
I would have guessed watch because that's the only thing that does not necessarily involve turning, I was thinking of a digital watch.
I would have guessed watch because that's the only thing that does not necessarily involve turning, I was thinking of a digital watch.
The Earth appears to spin clockwise when looking at at from the perspective of the south pole-Venus would be roating anti-clockwise. The hint of 'Aussie Toilets' was appently to reference the notion that they rotate opposite to toilets flushed in the Northern Hemisphere-This is a myth. Also it is 'DVDs' and 'Cds'-The plural and not the possessive form. Sorry if I this nitpicking.
Coriolis effect is a myth. Shape of toilet and the configuration and introduction of the water determines flow direction. CDs' is not correct jeRussell. Its just CDs. Only use ' after "s" when the word ends in s and is possessive.
I figured they all rotate, but never thought of which direction. Silly me.
Got it right away! Fun...great teaser!
Brilliant!
People always argue over these minor things in the teaser. Strange nit-picking
I am guessing the person who said they would have answered watch as they thought of a digital watch is young.
I am not "old" and don't think I've ever owned anything but analog watches (so that even had to be wound). The term couner (or anti) clockwise is of course in reference to a clock and what is a watch really other than a clock you wear on your wrist?
I did however have a watch when Iwasa kid was backwards, the 12 and 6 were in the proper places but the rest of the numbers were reverse so the 1 was where the 11 should be, the 2 was where the 10 should be, and so on. IT ran backward - too a long time to be able to read it without thinking.
I am not "old" and don't think I've ever owned anything but analog watches (so that even had to be wound). The term couner (or anti) clockwise is of course in reference to a clock and what is a watch really other than a clock you wear on your wrist?
I did however have a watch when Iwasa kid was backwards, the 12 and 6 were in the proper places but the rest of the numbers were reverse so the 1 was where the 11 should be, the 2 was where the 10 should be, and so on. IT ran backward - too a long time to be able to read it without thinking.
Interesting story, Habs! I've noticed your comments are always very thoughtful and thought provoking!
I liked this teaser! Have a wonderful day and Happy Father's Day, all!
I liked this teaser! Have a wonderful day and Happy Father's Day, all!
Thanks Gayle, I try. I do write a lot of quizzes and have attempted teasers so I know how hard it is to do one that appeals to more people than it upsets.
Define "anti-clockwise" for a spherical object. In what frame of reference do you consider clockwise from not clockwise?
Good teaser! I thought it was Clock because it was the only word that could have its first letter removed and still remain a valid word.
DVD's is the answer because it does not have an odd number of letters as do the other words!!
The Coriolis Effect doesn't really affect water in drains. The direction is influenced by more immediate factors like the direction the water is coming from and the shape of the basin it's running into. It does affect the way storm systems rotate, but water that's already on the ground is too heavy.
I got it right for the wrong reason. I figured everything was on earth except for earth
CD's- in a car, most likely on earth
Clock-in a house, most likely on earth
Venus-a Venus razor, in someone's bathroom, most likely on earth
DVD's- in somebody's tv, most likely on earth
Watch- on somebody's wrist, most likely on earth
Earth- something isn't considered "on" itself
CD's- in a car, most likely on earth
Clock-in a house, most likely on earth
Venus-a Venus razor, in someone's bathroom, most likely on earth
DVD's- in somebody's tv, most likely on earth
Watch- on somebody's wrist, most likely on earth
Earth- something isn't considered "on" itself
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