快猫短视频

This week鈥檚 new questions

What makes some mirrors flattering and others not? And if we painted every roof on Earth white, how much difference would it make to global temperatures?

circa 1950: A chubby man sees himself a few stone lighter in a distorting mirror made at the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. (Photo by Douglas/Three Lions/Getty Images)

Last Word is 快猫短视频鈥檚 long-running series in which readers give scientific answers to each other鈥檚 questions, ranging from the minutiae of everyday life to absurd astronomical hypotheticals. To answer a question or ask a new one, email lastword@newscientist.com

What makes some mirrors 鈥渇lattering鈥 and others not?

Daniel Kitto

Norwich, Norfolk, UK

2CE6RC8 Drone view over Santorini, aerial view over the whitewashed village of Oia with luxury vacation resort with infinity pools in Santorini Greece

How much difference would it make to global temperatures if the roofs of all the buildings on Earth were painted white?

Mary Rose

Hindmarsh Island, Australia

To answer this question 鈥 or ask a new one 鈥 email lastword@newscientist.com.

Questions should be scientific enquiries about everyday phenomena, and both questions and answers should be concise. We reserve the right to edit items for clarity and style. Please include a postal address, daytime telephone number and email address.

快猫短视频 retains total editorial control over the published content and reserves all rights to reuse question and answer material that has been submitted by readers in any medium or in any format.

Terms and conditions apply.

Topics: Last Word

More from 快猫短视频

Explore the latest news, articles and features