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New Scientist puzzle #49: The tree in the snow globe

4 March 2020

#49 The tree in the snow globe

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

I have a snow globe that is a hollow hemisphere. At its highest point, it is 10 centimetres tall, and in the centre stands a tree that is 6 cm tall. How far away from the centre can the tree be moved and still stand upright?

Answer next week

#48 Seeing red

Solution

If I see a green traffic light, I should ease off as I will miss the light. If I see a red light, I should accelerate. The actual speed/distance doesn’t affect the answer, but suppose I am riding at 4…

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