I know others have asked this, I know the body mechanisms for crying will still work but how can tears leave the body when the water concentration around you is so high - surely the concentration gradient is wrong.
2006-09-10 02:17:06 · 14 answers · asked by the main 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
So far three people have said that you can cry underwater... however it doesn't make much sense to me.
I recently learned in depth about aquatic therapy (physical therapy in water) and one of the main points brought up was that humans are unable to sweat. We lose heat through conduction and convenction.
I would think that the lacrimal glands/tear ducts would not be allowed to release anything due to hydrostatic pressure...
2006-09-10 02:44:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont think its the concentration gradient that would get you - but the pressure of the water you are in.
When you urinate in the water your body puts pressure behind the stream of urine...
Tears dont have a pressure behind them...so the pressure of the water your are swimming in might keep the tears from coming out of your eye.
I'd spend more time on this... but its not my homework problem!
start looking at pressure, though not concentration...tears are salt water - so the only way it would be a concentration thing would be in the ocean - and I'm pretty sure even then the pressure would be the overriding factor.
2006-09-10 09:48:09 · answer #2 · answered by Melis__A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its not the water concentration, but the pressure and salinity gradients that would interfere with the ability to weep. In the ocean, the salinity is greater than in the body, but we wear goggles to protect our eyes from the dehydrating effect of seawater (stinging sensation). The water pressure at depth will interfere with tear duct secretion, as it is not pressurised. However it would be very hard to observe, as tears are water too!
2006-09-14 05:55:54 · answer #3 · answered by Allasse 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only problem with crying underwater is that you would drown.
the tears can come out of your eyes, but crying also involves agitated breath, and underwater, this would make you drown.
2006-09-10 13:55:11 · answer #4 · answered by Oooh 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, water still leaves you, but it hurts really bad, since your natural reaction is to close your eyes, you wont see any tears, but you will be crying.
2006-09-10 09:18:59 · answer #5 · answered by sur2124 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
fish can pee in it so therefore we should be able to cry in it - only deeep down where the pressure is immense, where we couldn't go (without gear) anyway, would it be a problem.
2006-09-10 09:20:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll find out when you see that great white shark heading straight for you.
2006-09-10 09:34:12 · answer #7 · answered by cymry3jones 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes but you will probly swallow alot of water while sniffeling dont advise it.
2006-09-10 09:35:35 · answer #8 · answered by lilleablue 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no i'cant cry under the water because is wet
2006-09-10 09:23:29 · answer #9 · answered by george p 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you cry underwater your goggles will fill up.'
2006-09-10 09:22:57 · answer #10 · answered by Bluealt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋