Introduction to the hypergravity experiment

Introduction to the hypergravity experiment.

(The Rotating Fish Tank)

Statement: A living organism’s reaction to acceleration (like gravity) can be compared to that of a balloon filled with water.

Let’s make an imaginary experiment:

We need 2 perfectly round balloons, a table and a tank of water.

First we fill one of the balloons with a liter of water, and the other balloon with a liter of air.

Now we place the two balloons on the table. Notice how the balloon with air keeps it’s perfectly round shape, and is barely touching the table, and the balloon with water is totally deformed as gravity pulls it down.

Next pick both balloons up by your fingers (one balloon in each hand). Notice how the balloon with water is deformed to a drop like shape as it hangs down from your fingers. Notice at the same time how the balloon with air keeps the shame perfectly round shape.

Now we try the same experiment in the water tank.

What happens?

…Exactly the opposite! The deformation is done to the balloon with air, and the balloon with water is perfectly round.

So what does this mean? First gravity deforms the water filled balloon, and next gravity does not seem to have any effect under water.

The opposite goes for the air filled balloon. Gravity does not affect it much in air, but the balloon is very deformed under water. (Click here for the physics behind)

What does this have to do with humans and other living organisms?

The balloon with water is a simplified representation of each cell, and the arteries and veins in a living creature. And the balloon with air could be a simplified representation of the cavity in the lungs.

If this is true, then

gravity would highly affect the shape of the lungs while the animal was submerged in water.

gravity would highly affect the blood flow and stress on each body cell when on dry ground.

Gravity does not affect the shape of the lungs when the animal is on dry ground.

Gravity does not affect the blood flow and stress on each body cell while submerged in water.

The last statement is the interesting one. (And the first statement makes it problematic with humans in water)

Does this mean that an animal submerged in water is totally resistant to acceleration – If they don’t have lungs that is?

A few assumptions have been made here.

First it has been assumed that the density of the animal is equal the density of the liquid surrounding it. This is fairly true if an animal is submerged in salt water.

Secondly it is assumed that all parts of the animal has the same density. This is not true; fat, muscle, bone and other tissues do vary in density.

Also there are complex processes going on inside a living creature that might possibly be affected by gravity.

Still, the mentioned similarities do make one wonder:

How much acceleration can a creature survive if it is totally submerged in a liquid with the same density?

Why not make an experiment with a fish?

(Click here to continue)