Farting in space

Atlas23 · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:08

Inbe4 theoretical thread.

Let's say you are in space, stationary, without a suit (NAKED), somehow you survive long enough to let out a backdoor breeze. Does this propel you? Do you move at all? Does it act as a thruster?

Serious answers only pls

EDIT: No planes, no treadmills. Don't even think about it!

Suarez7 · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:08

No

/thread

Redz · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:09

Yes
/thread

PinkFloyd · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:10

Yes it would act as thrust. As would breathing out.
However it wouldn't make a whole lot of difference to your velocity due to it being such little thrust compared to your weight.

The_Baron · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:10

magnificent thread.

Trifid · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:11

PinkFloyd said:
Yes it would act as thrust. As would breathing out.
However it wouldn't make a whole lot of difference to your velocity due to it being such little thrust compared to your weight.

Depends on how long the fart lasts. Perhaps you could replace ion thrusters for flatulence?

Scougar · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:11

Just need to confirm here: Is the gas vent open to space, with no clothing in the way to divert the flow of gas?

Atlas23 · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:13

Scougar said:
Just need to confirm here: Is the gas vent open to space, with no clothing in the way to divert the flow of gas?

Yes, I shall update OP

HummuH1 · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:15

What if it's a sneeze fart? Does the sneeze cancel out the fart propulsion?

J.T · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:15

HummuH1 said:
What if it's a sneeze fart? Does the sneeze cancel out the fart propulsion?

Wouldn't that make you spin?

What if you sharted? :/

Scougar · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:17

Then, Yes*.
/Thread

*Obviously your diet and state of health will determine the precise thrust you receive upon expulsion of gas. Let's just hope you don't follow through, because that would be really embarrassing to be remembered by...

AJK · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:17

Blazin23 said:
Serious answers only pls

Serious answers? To that question? You must joking...

Veco · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:17

AS level physics!

Yup, it would provide some thrust, but wouldn't accelerate you very much at all. Although the great thing about a frictionless environment is that with enough time to spare even if small amount of initial thrust will get you in your intended flatulent free direction.

PermaChanged · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:18

J.T said:
What if you sharted? :/

It would float into your mouth! :eek:

Atlas23 · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:18

AJK said:
Serious answers? To that question? You must joking...

This doesn't look like a srs answer to me

deanolfc · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:20

Judgeneo · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:21

High likelihood of letting out something solid due to pressure difference.

Not recommended

Cosimo · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:22

AJK · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:22

Blazin23 said:
This doesn't look like a srs answer to me

Did you think "what if you sharted" and "it would float into your mouth" were serious answers?

413x · 22 Oct 2013 at 12:22

PinkFloyd said:
Yes it would act as thrust. As would breathing out.
However it wouldn't make a whole lot of difference to your velocity due to it being such little thrust compared to your weight.

Weight?

You would move if it was like an engine with all forces equal except no force against the hole so you would travel in direction opposite of a line drawn from centre of ass (inside) to hole

That could be wrong but I thought that's how thrust worked