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

a woman douses herself with water from a plastic bottle on a hot, sunny day

What is a heat dome? What is a heat dome?

By Laura Baisas

Huge wave breaking. Ocean spray is thrown into the air. World famous surf break named Jaws on the Northshore of Maui, Hawaii.

What’s the formula for the ‘perfect wave’? What’s the formula for the ‘perfect wave’?

By Avery Schluyer Nunn

Model of human brain floating over bed in dark room

What’s the purpose of dreaming? What’s the purpose of dreaming?

By Clarissa Brincat

Happy smiling little boy out in the rain

The science behind the smell of rain The science behind the smell of rain

A loving father of African descent sits on the couch at home and reads a storybook to his preschool age daughter. The child is sitting on her father's lap and is smiling while looking at the book.

Why do kids love reading the same book over and over? Child development experts explain. Why do kids love reading the same book over and over? Child development experts explain.

By Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

clouds in a blue sky

How do clouds get their shapes? How do clouds get their shapes?

By Clarissa Brincat

new york city skyline

In a world without people, how fast would NYC fall apart? Here’s the timeline. In a world without people, how fast would NYC fall apart? Here’s the timeline.

orange and yellow flames on a black background

Can humans spontaneously combust? The baffling cases explained. Can humans spontaneously combust? The baffling cases explained.

By Lauren Leffer

Portrait of a 5 month old baby girl

Why do babies’ eyes change color? Sunlight, genetics, and more. Why do babies’ eyes change color? Sunlight, genetics, and more.

By Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Hand holds Vintage photograph of boy on tricycle at christmas

Why we forget our childhoods Why we forget our childhoods

By RJ Mackenzie

A wildfire frontline with emergency services nearby, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada.

Are we in a sixth mass extinction? Are we in a sixth mass extinction?

By Lauren Leffer

a woman browsing a sunscreen aisle in a grocery store

Mineral vs. chemical sunscreen: What’s best for protecting your skin? Mineral vs. chemical sunscreen: What’s best for protecting your skin?

By Laura Baisas

Women practicing necessary steps for ice bath therapy, pinching their noses with their fingers to hold their breath, listening carefully to the instructor, mentally preparing for a new and revitalizing healing experience

Are ice baths good for you? The benefits and risks of a cold plunge. Are ice baths good for you? The benefits and risks of a cold plunge.

By Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

a woman drinks water with the sun beating down

What is dew point? A meteorologist explains that sticky air. What is dew point? A meteorologist explains that sticky air.

By Laura Baisas

a smiley face made of white sunscreen on a hand

Do I really need to wear sunscreen every day? We asked dermatologists. Do I really need to wear sunscreen every day? We asked dermatologists.

By Laura Baisas

concept image of intestines and medicine

Will prebiotics and probiotics really help you poop? What gut experts say. Will prebiotics and probiotics really help you poop? What gut experts say.

By Harriet Weber

A man playing snooker at a billiard club in Beijing. the blue ball is in front, with the yellow, white, red, and green balls in a row behind it

How to get better at snooker… with physics How to get better at snooker… with physics

A blue tit flies to a feeder in a garden, where a great spotted woodpecker is currently sitting.

Are backyard bird feeders safe? How to stop illness and intruders. Are backyard bird feeders safe? How to stop illness and intruders.

By Laura Baisas

a mother and child walk in beside an amtrak train parked at railroad station

What happens if Amtrak gets privatized? What happens if Amtrak gets privatized?

By Mack DeGeurin

a mosquito under a microscope

What would a world without mosquitoes look like? What would a world without mosquitoes look like?

By RJ Mackenzie