Ask Us Anything

Popular Science answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions, from the ordinary to the off-the-wall.

Latest in Ask Us Anything

colorful and fun web of polygons lines and small round particles floating randomly

Why don’t molecules ever stop moving? Why don’t molecules ever stop moving?

Man shakes his head while being doused with water

How is head hair different from body hair? How is head hair different from body hair?

By RJ Mackenzie

A postcard advertises the GM (or General Motors) Chevrolet Nova Custom coupe, seen from both the side and from the rear with the hatchback open, 1974. (Photo by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images)

How do cars get their names? Art, science, and a legal process. How do cars get their names? Art, science, and a legal process.

By Kristin Shaw

An Opened Prescription Medicine Bottle Among Many Other Sealed Bottles on Yellow Background High Angle View.

How prescription drugs get their names How prescription drugs get their names

By Julia Craven

CALIFORNIA, USA - MAY 9: U.S. President Biden arrives at Moffett Federal Airfield of NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California, United States on May 9, 2024.

Why does Air Force One take so long to replace? It’s not just bureaucracy. Why does Air Force One take so long to replace? It’s not just bureaucracy.

By Mack DeGeurin

Florida, Coral Gables, Classic Car Show, 1955 Pontiac, blue, chrome bumper,

Why don’t cars have bulky bumpers anymore? Why don’t cars have bulky bumpers anymore?

By Kristin Shaw

an arm covered in a rose tattoo

Where does tattoo ink go in your body? There’s one particular spot. Where does tattoo ink go in your body? There’s one particular spot.

By RJ Mackenzie

A pattern of ears on a background

Why can some people wiggle their ears? Why can some people wiggle their ears?

By Clarissa Brincat

two side by side illustrations. on the left, a man with a red background sweating next to a thermometer with a high temperature. on the right, a man with a blue background shivering next to a thermometer with a lower temperature

What is ‘feels-like’ temperature? A meteorologist explains. What is ‘feels-like’ temperature? A meteorologist explains.

By Laura Baisas

Young woman yawning, close up

Why do some people need less sleep? Why do some people need less sleep?

By Clarissa Brincat

Once considered vestigial, the appendix may play an essential role in gut health.

Which body parts do humans not need? Which body parts do humans not need?

By Julia Craven

noses and a green stink cloud

Can bad smells harm you? Can bad smells harm you?

By Keith Wagstaff

girl dreaming waking up

Why don’t you remember all your dreams? Why don’t you remember all your dreams?

By Lauren Leffer

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare–as seen in the bright flash on the right side–on September 10, 2017. The image shows a combination of wavelengths of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares, which has then been colorized.

Could the Carrington Event happen again? Could the Carrington Event happen again?

By Laura Baisas

Close up on woman white teeth.

Could we ever regrow our adult teeth? Could we ever regrow our adult teeth?

Do animals experience mental illness? Do animals experience mental illness?

By Mack DeGeurin

a bird with white and black plummage and an egg on a nest and three other birds standing around her

Which animals reproduce at the oldest age? Which animals reproduce at the oldest age?

By Laura Baisas

(Original Caption) 1938-Close-up of the very front end of a 1938 Cadillac La Salle. This smaller counterpart to the Cadillac features a smaller radiator grille, and four headlights, as well as the hood ornament and bumper.

Why don’t cars have hood ornaments anymore? Why don’t cars have hood ornaments anymore?

By Kristin Shaw

Voyager Golden Record cover on black background

What is on the Voyager Golden Record? Shockingly, not The Beatles. What is on the Voyager Golden Record? Shockingly, not The Beatles.

flying with cellphone airplane mode

Why do we still have to use airplane mode? Why do we still have to use airplane mode?