
Last Word is Âé¶¹´«Ã½â€™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.com
Binocular vision gives us a 3D perspective, and two ears let us locate the direction of a sound. But why two nostrils? (continued)
Advertisement
Richard Gregson
via email
For both the hunter and the hunted, knowing the direction of the source of a smell is essential. The directional ability of smell location by humans has been known for a long time. Georg von Békésy, who received the Nobel Prize for his work on hearing, also determined that the direction of an odour can be established by humans to about 7 degrees. Remember that when you feel inclined to break wind in an elevator.
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.
Âé¶¹´«Ã½ retains total editorial control over the published content and reserves all rights to reuse question and answer material that has been submitted by readers in any medium or in any format.