November | 2017 | Ask Dr. Universe | Washington State University

^{Ask Dr. Universe} _{November 2017}

University Communications Network > Ask Dr. Universe > 2017 > November

Hi Dr. Wendy Sue: Me and my brother had a little bit of an argument about the point that there is no such thing as cold. He said liquid nitrogen produces cold, which I think is absurd, but lack the knowledge to explain it. Can you please explain to us why there is no cold? – Brody, 12

November 30, 2017 rcwebber

Dear Brody,

It’s a snowy morning and the thermometer reads 20 degrees Fahrenheit. You grab a jacket and a pair of mittens for your paws. It’s going to be a cold day.

Dear Dr. Universe: What are the northern lights? Do they show every night? –Ana, 10, CT

November 21, 2017 rcwebber

Dear Ana,

When the northern lights come out, beautiful, colorful patterns stretch across the night sky. But they begin with a star that is millions of miles away: our sun.

Dear Dr. Universe: I was wondering, how did science get its name? Who thought of it? Does it mean something special? -Jada, 10

November 14, 2017 rcwebber

Dear Jada,
If you were to travel around the world, the word “science” might look or sound very different. In Spanish, it’s ciencia. In Japanese, 理科. In German, wissenschaft! And in French…well, it’s also science. But with an accent.

Dear Dr. Universe: How are twins made? –Brody, 8, Kauai, Hawaii

November 6, 2017 rcwebber

Dear Brody,

By the time you finish reading this sentence, about twenty babies will have been born into our world. Sometimes they’re twins.