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How does putting a の at the end of a sentence change the meaning?

For example, here are some sentences:

> 明日何時に来るの What time will you come tomorrow  
>  昨日何を食べたの What did you eat yesterday
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question
translation particles particle-の
Meaning of sentences ending in の
As you seem to have already answered yourself in your own translations, "の"
with accent/intonation in the end turns a sentence into a question.

Note however that if you don't put such an emphasis in the end, "の" just act
as a slight softner of the sentence and doesn't turn the sentence into a
question. This form sounds like a child speak, so I don't recommend you use it
yourself.

```

    今日はコーヒーを飲んだの: I had some coffee today
    
```
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2014-03-26T05:02:36.897
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answer
Generally speaking a sentence ending in の will be less formal equivalent of
the "の／んです" construction. Hence:

> Questions ending in の, as in your examples, are less formal equivalents of
> the same questions ending in んですか.

Likewise

> Questions ending in the plain/past form are less formal equivalents of (in
> your examples) questions ending with 来ます（か？）／食べました（か？）

_**Notes_** :  
1) I have assumed you are familiar with the use of "の／んです vs です／〜ます" but for
reference:

> "When んですis used in questions or in the でしょう constructions, it is used to
> express one's conjectures on the basis of what one has heard or observed" eg
> 雨が降っているんですか〜"Is it that it is raining" as opposed to "Is it raining" (ref
> below)

2) I have also assumed your focus is on questions: Sentences that are not
questions using "の／んです" (and its variants) are used for explanation, rapport,
reproach and "backgrounding". This is covered in the same reference given
below. [I would classify "soft sounding affirmation" discussed below as an
example of rapport.]  
3) Your examples are probably spoken with slightly raised tone at the end of
the sentence to make it clear you are asking a question, as you might do in
English.  
4) If the sentence ends in か then raising your voice at the end of a sentence
is less important.  
5) I said の is equivalent to のですか rather than のです because I think you are less
likely to hear questions asked that way but its not inconceivable (in your
sentences it is clear from the the 何時に／何を that they are questions).

_Ref: A students' guide to Japanese Grammar, Naomi Hanaoka McGloin, p89/90_
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