Is there a height limit that skyscrapers can be built to?

Asked by: Tasha Toyne, Nuneaton

Yes, there are many limits. The heavier a building, the stronger its foundations need to be. In turn, that’s limited by how deep it’s possible to excavate and the land available to accommodate the building’s footprint. Even the slenderest designs need larger bases as they get taller. Another factor is the speed of the lifts. People on the top floor don’t want to take all day to get up there.

Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.