Only a child could ask this

[lyall]

I have had my nephew to stay today. He’s a bit of a live wire and often asks the strangest questions, he came out with one of these this afternoon. Why, when you break wind, are some noisy and some quiet? My first reaction was that it was to do with the type of food eaten and the type of gasses being eliminated. We ‘googled’ it and found the consensus is it is the gasses produced by the food we eat that makes us break wind, but it doesn’t seem to explain why some ‘emissions’ are noisy and some are not? He is slightly disappointed with the lack of a definitive answer; can anyone help with a not too complicated answer? please?

[daffy654]

Its all to do with the speed the gas is expelled at. Quicker is noisy, slower is quiet.

[lyall]

Oh boy I can see this going on forever!! Thank you daffy654, your answer has prompted another question ‘what tells the gas the speed it should come out at’? Is this something to do with the way the stomach breaks down food and some things are easier to digest than others? if it is I think I understand, if it isn’t I’m lost!

[AlBags]

Hi fartypants ..

I'm very surprised he called it 'breaking wind'! : )

[sara3]

and I'm very surprised these questions are being blamed on a child!

[AlBags]

Quite!

Give 'em a clip round t'ear for asking.

[boxtops]

It's the same as whistling - sometimes you can, sometimes you can't...

[AlBags]

Change it Sara.

[sara3]

AlBags.. there is no child ;o)

[Prudie]

I always thought the speed at which it came out depended on how far behind it what's pushing it out is approaching, if you know what I mean.

[sara3]

change what?

[AlBags]

I used to be able to play the first line of Raglan Road .. but it's too slack now.

[AlBags]

Do you remember more than a few hours ago? ; )

Avatar ; )

[sara3]

no.. I'm lost!

[Postdog]

I agree with Sara - there's something about this post which doesn't smell right.

[lyall]

Yes sara3 there is a child he's 8 years and 7 months (apparently the 7 months is important). He genuinely asked the question and yes AlBags he called it something else, I just tidied it up a bit! The thing is after he asked me I became curious myself so I must admit the question was asked on behalf of us both.

[annadomino]

Sounds a fair question to me.

[daisya]

I used to know a biology teacher and she said after explaining the "ins and outs" of the digestive and gut system she asked one boy what he had learnt in that lesson. He replied, "Today Miss, I learnt how to fart quietly..." Hmmm....reported as said...didn't tidy that one up I'm sorry lol.