What does the snooze button on an alarm clock do?
AnswerDelays the alarm for a short time
Snooze silences the alarm briefly, then lets it sound again a few minutes later.
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Alarm facts & stats
8 fact-checked facts about alarms and alarm clocks, each with the reason behind it. 4 more are in today's round and join this page after it closes.
The basics
What is a home smoke alarm designed to detect?
AnswerSmoke from a fire
Smoke alarms sense smoke particles and sound a loud warning so people can get out.
Going deeper
Which two sensor types are common in home smoke alarms?
AnswerIonization and photoelectric
Ionization sensors respond quickly to flaming fires; photoelectric sensors to smoldering ones.
Which sleep stage is most associated with vivid dreaming?
AnswerREM sleep
REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is the stage when most vivid dreams occur.
Which hormone, released as it gets dark, helps signal the body that it is time to sleep?
AnswerMelatonin
The pineal gland releases melatonin in darkness, helping regulate the sleep cycle.
Before alarm clocks were common, how did 'knocker-uppers' in Britain wake workers?
AnswerTapping on windows with long poles
Knocker-uppers were paid to tap bedroom windows with poles or pea shooters so workers woke on time.
Expert level
The word 'alarm' comes from an Italian phrase meaning what?
AnswerTo arms
Alarm comes from the Italian 'all'arme', a call to take up weapons.
Which radioactive element is used in ionization smoke alarms?
AnswerAmericium-241
A tiny amount of americium-241 ionizes air in the sensor; smoke disrupts the current and triggers the alarm.
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