drinking through a straw

[kopking8]

I have been asked a question which is realy bugging me, say if you stood on your head could you drink a glass of water through a straw, I would think it will not be possible, would appreciate any responces, thanks.

[Lakitu]

Why wouldn't you? You're still doing the sucking action to get the liquid out, whether you're on your feet, on your head or on your side....?

[Booldawg]

I think the problem would be more of a case of gravity; would the water be able to pass from your mouth to your stomach, working away from gravitational pull?

[kopking8]

Thanks, I thought that the gravity would prevent you drinking but I suppose you are still sucking the liquid through the straw.

[4candles]

Long before the days of the national curriculum, it was demonstrated, successfully, in a science lesson, which I still clearly recall today.

[squarebear]

I see no reason why not. Surely, astronauts have to drink without the aid of gravity?

[R1Geezer]

err squarebear.....WTF are you on about gravity has never been necessary to eat/drink, upside down you are working against gravity but still able to drink quite easily.

[kopking8]

4 Candles, you can not be serious, who exactly demonstrated? A pupil or the Teacher?

[4candles]

Of course I'm serious!

It was demonstrated by a pupil, at the request of the teacher, to show that swallowing a liquid was not affected by gravity.

I'm talking about 1962-ish, when the schools were run by head teachers, not the government, but don't get me started ;>)

Wouldn't be allowed now of course...

[pauliwauli2]

It doesn't matter if you eat or drink upside down - i remember this from science too, we watched it in a video (i say that like it was ages ago, it was actually about 4 years ago!)

The muscles in your oesophogus (can't be bothered looking up the correct spelling) pull the food up, I'm sure? Something along those lines.

[gen2]

You don't have to rely on our say-so to believe this. The cost of reconstructing the experiment should be well within your pittance of pocketmoney so why not try it for yourself? One straw, one glass of water, one body (yours).

[New Judge]

The muscular action described by pauliwauli2 is called peristalsis.

The opposite action - anti-peristalsis occurs when you vomit.

Enjoy your supper!

[pauliwauli2]

hahahaha

[mibn2cweus]

. . . I just figured out it works with some other liquids as well. Think I'll go hang around the pub . . . wagers anyone?


D'oh!

Please be advised . . . burping can be tricky . . . <"?

[nescio]

Many years ago (well, about 23), the forfeit for Prick of the Day in my rugby club was to drink a quart (two pints) of beer ( from a special glass) while standing on your head.
One beast managed it in 17 seconds, so swallowing against gravity was not a problem, per se.

[Kaylibobs]

This was on the radio few days ago, apparently humans can drink through a straw up-side-down but canarys can't...random I know...something to do with gravity.