2007-10-07 16:39:00 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Although this question is often cycled around as a joke, it represents a basic misunderstanding of Archimedes' principle. The ocean wouldn't be deeper without sponges; it'd be a little shallower. Sponges may soak up water, but they also have solid mass that displaces water. If all of the sponges were taken out, the sea level would fall. Not much, mind you, but it would fall.
Sorry to be such a killjoy.
2007-10-07 16:44:50 · answer #1 · answered by Lucas C 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Cool question, I would never have thought of that. I'm going to assume that without sponges the depth of the ocean wouldn't change because they probably absorb the same amount of water as space they take up.
2007-10-07 23:44:59 · answer #2 · answered by jacque_sue89 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are we talking about the car washing type of sponge or the dish washing type? They're very different you know! Gee, I never knew they grew in the ocean! LOL :)
Hmmm....wonder why they don't call them "sea sponges"?
2007-10-07 23:49:36 · answer #3 · answered by Hawt Richard loves Peace Yo 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
probably the same. they grow on the surfaces, and the amount of soil they retain isn't that much, compared to what the waves drag in
2007-10-07 23:45:34 · answer #4 · answered by mech9x 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋