To link this thread with the space theme of yesterday...
About 20 years ago, I was working an exercise in Korea. Now at 0200 during exercises sometimes the strangest conversational topics come up. This was one of them.
Farting in space.
The question under discussion was: If you have an astronaut in space (whether in orbit or transiting) and he farts, what will happen to the relative position of the astronaut?
One side of the argument was that since Newton's law says that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, that when the fart gases leave the butt of the astronaut, there will be a reactive force moving the pelvis of the astronaut forward.
Another side of the argument was that, also quoting Newton. That when the gases of the fart hit the inside of the spacesuit that the resulting counter force would nullify any pelvic relative motion.
(not making this up) This is what happens when you work 24 hours on 6 off for a week (a schedule designed to adversely affect the mind and break the spirit of the troops btw.)
The arguments were lively until the scientists got involved. Equations and formula flowed like space farts... This was a mission everyone could get behind.
After a few hours and just before early morning ops, a consensus was achieved.
1. The pelvis of the astronaut would initially move forward due to the reaction of the fart.
2. The pelvis of the astronaut would halt its movement when the gases hit the inside of the spacesuit.
3. There would be a slight forward transit due to the very small amount of energy lost between the astronaut's butt and the spacesuit (heat). The amount of transit would be dependent on the mass of the astronaut as well as the energy of the fart measured in foot/pound/seconds
I will spare you the engineering discussion on how you would determine the specific impulse of a fart...but it was discussed.
Strange things happen on the early mornings close to the end of exercises. Strange things indeed.
