this post was submitted on 30 Jul 2024
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edit: so it seems that if there is significant day/night temperature difference in your home, that can be a factor and it may not be only about selective memory.
i apologize to the author.
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Output-voltage-of-single-9V-battery-with-temperature_fig1_252062945
https://diy.stackexchange.com/a/221040
~~The problem is xkcd is about science and this is as scientific as trump solving the hurricane with a sharpie...~~
I would say some of them are, but some are just funny observations. Like the current issue: https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/olympic_sports_2x.png
Zero science in that either.
Regardless, man. You should a) make more of these and b) get your own style.
“Not XKCD” is not a flattering brand.
~~yeah, the current issue has zero science in it, but your comics presents dumb folks' wisdom (untrue and unscientific) and present it to look somewhat "scientifically", which is imho against the general ethos of xkcd.~~
~~the alarm doesn't really go off more often at night.~~
~~it is just that when it goes off during the day, you fix the problem and move on. when it goes off during night, and presumably wakes you up, it pisses you off and you tend to remember it more due to associated emotions.~~
~~it is a case of selective memory.~~
I shall counter with a hypothesis:
It could be that extended lower temperatures at night slow battery chemistry to the point where the voltage sags below the trigger threshold. It would take quite a few hours to cool the battery down from day time ceiling temps, so this would naturally occur in the early hours of the morning just before temperatures rise again.
oh come on, we are talking about detectors inside heated apartments, not an igloo.
edit: ok, but now i am curious. it seems that other people share the same theory, but that doesn't mean it is not just shared myth.
https://www.google.com/search?q=fire+detectors+battery+dead+time+of+day
if anyone has some research or link they consider interesting on the topic, i'd be happy to look at it.