Last Word: This week’s new questions | New Scientist

Why do humans have a common sense of beauty for things like sunsets, and do other animals share this appreciation? And why can’t we cool water as quickly as we can heat it?

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Why do humans have a common sense of beauty for things like sunsets, and do other animals share this appreciation?Robert JohnsonIpswich, Suffolk, UK

Why can’t we cool water as quickly as we can heat it?John BaileyFarnborough, Hampshire, UK

Last Word is New Scientist’s long-running series in which readers give scientific answers to each other’s questions, ranging from the minutiae of everyday life to absurd astronomical hypotheticals. To answer a question or ask a new one, email lastword@newscientist.comTo answer this question – or ask a new one – email lastword@newscientist.com.

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