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What causes the slipperiness of playground slides to vary so much throughout the day? And why are there more consonants than vowels in alphabetic languages

20 April 2022

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.

Alamy

Sliding scale In children’s playgrounds, I am always confounded by how the slipperiness of the same slide can vary hugely throughout the day, and on different days. What factors influence this?

Richard Webb

Southsea, Hampshire, UK

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.

Shutterstock/osvaldo medina xo

Vowel-less Why are there more consonants than vowels in alphabetic languages?

Sasha Belenky

San Diego, California, US

To answer this question – or ask a new one – 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.

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