Hey, Dr. Science-Patterson! How does the tongue distinguish sweet things from sour things or bitter things? Food Lover in Fredericksburg , MD

Dear Food Lover Like a lot of things in the world of natural sciences, this phenomenon is amazing yet quite simple. Your tongue can pick up on the difference between a piece of candy or a salty bite of fish the same way you do. For example, when you put these items in your mouth, you’re able to tell right away what’s sweet and what’s salty, right? The tongue uses the exact same processes (pronounced “pro-cess-ease” like scientists say it).

Please send whatever good science questions you have!

Free version of a picture of a tongue

Hey, Dr. Science-Patterson! How is a telescope able to help us see so far? Space Geek in Branson, MO

Dear Space Geek The telescope works basically as follows:

Pretty complicated stuff. But if we use the analogy of a bear, it could be more simply understood as follows:

Hey, Dr. Science-Patterson! How is paper made?- Curious Kid in Norman, OK

Dear Curious Kid – Well, it’s quite simple, actually. After the huge rolls of newly manufactured paper are pulled into a slicer, they’re cut into sheets. “Please” write me with your science questions!

Bits of paper can be seen in this photo of utter destruction

Hey Dr. Science-Patterson! Everyone’s telling me that “The Sopranos” final episode sucked. How can I argue with them without having to think too much? Singing Soprano in Paris, TX

Dear Singing Soprano – A good thing to do in reply to an argument where everyone is being critical of something you like is say, “Hey, but it’s got us talking though, right?” You will appear to profoundly understand the purpose of art when you say this simple phrase.

Please feel free to send me all your science questions, kids!

Tony Soprano’s mother, who was murdered in the final episode

Hey, Dr. Science-Patterson! Why do dogs pant when they get hot? Canine CLover in Brentwood, CA

Dear Canine CLover, Hey, kids! If you frame the question correctly, you don’t have to bother Dr. Science-Patterson! For example, a better way perhaps to pose this question is “When dogs aren’t panting, why aren’t they?” or, actually, to really get at crux of the issue “Why DO dogs pant?” And an even better question is “Dogs pant because they sweat only on their tongues and need to cool themselves, yes?” This practically answers itself.

Hey, Dr. Science! How do cameras work? They’re so neat how they do that! Lens Looney in Brighton, NJ

Dear, Lens Looney – Scientists have not yet determined the full details of how the camera works. However, basically, the popular picture-taking device simply steals part of the spirit of the person or animal being “cameraed.”

Please send your science questions, science lovers!

Hey, Dr. Science-Patterson! Why does ice float? Puzzled in Pittsburgh

Dear Puzzled This is a bad question. Ice doesn’t float. Let’s do an experiment: Hold both of your hands out in front of you. Have someone put a cube of ice in one and something specific in another. Drop the cube of ice. Note how it drops to the ground. Thusly, ice does not float (at least not in air; it does in water).

Please send in any of your science questions!