The average amount of ejaculate produced by a man is commonly described as 'about a teaspoonful'. But does anyone know how much that weighs (sans teaspoon, of course)?
I rediscovered an old sci-fi story I abandoned over a decade ago and it got me wondering how the amount of ejaculate produced by a functionally immortal man using a space station's auto-relief facility twice a week would build up over the centuries.
AJ
I would melt some butter or use some cayo syrup cut with 25% water and measure that with the kitchen scale. If your wife isn't around you could use an actual sample on the scale, lol Oh, the things we do for our art.
For a back of the envelope calculation:
I Googled "water weight per teaspoon". I got the answer 4.93g I'll stick with grams since you are talking about a science fiction setting.
Round up to 5 grams for easier calculations.
Now, Semen will be denser than water, but I would guess less than double the density of water.
So that gives you a range between 5 and 10 grams.
1 US Teaspoon is equal to 4.92892 mL or millilitres
Semen density is 1.014 g/mL (+- 0.0133)
Extrapolate as needed
Sperm density is 1.014 g/mL (+- 0.0133)
Semen, not sperm (sperm is only part of it). And I would have expected the density to be a bit higher, but hard to argue with the source.
1 US Teaspoon is equal to 4.92892 mL or millilitres
Looking at the graph, my interpretation is that some males produce up to 2 teaspoonfuls per ejaculation, but the median seems to be a little less than one teaspoonful.
Isn't science wonderful!
AJ
Isn't science wonderful!
What is wonderful about a survey to calculate semen emissions?
The wonder is in the diversity created by evolution, not in those who simply record the results.
The wonder is in the diversity created by evolution, not in those who simply record the results.
But without those people recording the results, how would I have obtained the information I wanted?
Recording results is the basic foundation of scientific method. Unless, like David Attenborough, you make up the results to give the conclusions you want. But then he's an entertainer, not a scientist.
AJ
But without those people recording the results, how would I have obtained the information I wanted?
Masturbation.
Recording results is the basic foundation of scientific method.
Claiming it is wonderful is akin to praising the scorekeeper for the goal just scored.
Claiming it is wonderful is akin to praising the scorekeeper for the goal just scored.
But can you just imagine a World without scorekeepers?
wonderful
Depending on the circumstances and why the cum was produced it probably isn't "wonderful" but thinking about it can be full of wonder. Like wondering why it is important enough to get lots of entries on the Forum.
But can you just imagine a World without scorekeepers?
I've travelled to stadiums, arenas etc to watch athletes many times, I've never visited a single venue to watch a scorekeeper at work.
I've travelled to stadiums, arenas etc to watch athletes many times, I've never visited a single venue to watch a scorekeeper at work.
Would you have been interested in watching said athletes if no one was keeping score? I would bet not.
Would you have been interested in watching said athletes if no one was keeping score? I would bet not.
Actually yes, since both my sister and boyfriend were competing. (At different events)
But you are missing the point. I didn't suggest nobody should keep the score. I simply commented that I and others go to watch the competitors, not the scorekeeper.
Have you ever watched a sport and commented that the highlight was the wonderful job done by the scorekeeper?
Have you ever watched a sport
I don't generally watch sports.
However, the people I know who do seem very interested in what the score is and who wins and who loses. All of which necessitates that someone is keeping score.
Actually yes, since both my sister and boyfriend were competing.
Competing implies winners and losers which in turn implies someone keeping score.
commented that the highlight was the wonderful job done by the scorekeeper?
I'm quite sure that's never happened.
I'm equally sure that if the scorekeepers were doing a poor job the fans would be up in arms almost immediately.
I'm quite sure that's never happened.
Thank you for agreeing with me. Game over?
Oh, and no, I'm not keeping score...
:)
Well then, the game never ends...
Isn't there a famous quote from a football (soccer) commentator along the lines of, "They think it's all over, it is now"
Or perhaps you refer to the game as played on street corners..?? That, I agree, will never end.
Isn't there a famous quote from a football (soccer) commentator along the lines of, "They think it's all over, it is now"
That involves someone keeping score.
I'm quite sure that's never happened.
In politer times, when English Test Match cricket was free-to-air, the announcers would always make a point of thanking the scorers and commenting on what a wonderful job they were doing.
AJ
That doesn't count. :)
In order to popularise cricket amongst those with short attention spans, there has been much bastardisation of formats culminating in 20 over matches. Gone are the long drawn-out battles of wits between batsmen and bowlers and fielders. However even 20 overs is far too long to be attractive to millennials and colonists with their 15-20 minute attention spans ;-)
AJ
Might be easier to popularize cockroaches than crickets. At least cocks are somewhat popular and roaches are cigarettes with added weed. I tried to spell marijuana but had difficulty doing so.
Might be easier to popularize cockroaches than crickets.
Allegedly you can already buy flour made from ground-up crickets in woke health food shops. I don't think cockroach flour has made the same impact.
AJ
roaches are cigarettes with added weed.
Odd. Around here 'roach' refers to the butt of a joint/blunt/spliff/etc. No tobacco needed.
The commentators regularly wander off-topic to discuss more pressing issues such as cakes, formations of birds flying overhead, etc.. In a desperate attempt to fill otherwise silent airtime they probably thank everyone at some point, from the 'fulsome young lady spectator enjoying an ice cream' to the janitor.
But can you just imagine a World without scorekeepers?
Johannes Kepler was a consummate 'scorekeeper'. Where would physics and astronomy be without his contribution.
On the shoulders on giants ...
AJ
But can you just imagine a World without scorekeepers?
You mean, a world where everyone gets 'participation' trophies?
Unfortunately, I can.
Semen density is 1.014 g/mL (+- 0.0133)
That raises the subsidiary question of what semen does when it makes contact with water. At that density it ought to sink, but I've read several stories in which characters notice semen floating on the surface of the hot tub or swimming pool.
Is it possible that fresh, hot semen might float on cold water for a short time until temperatures equalise?
AJ
That raises the subsidiary question of what semen does when it makes contact with water. At that density it ought to sink, but I've read several stories in which characters notice semen floating on the surface of the hot tub or swimming pool.
Is it possible that fresh, hot semen might float on cold water for a short time until temperatures equalise?
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html
Use the index and look up surface tension and cohesive force. Therein is your answer.
Actually it is the answer. Specifically surface tension, and to a lesser degree cohesive force. As the temperature of the water increases, it's surface tension decreases. Cohesive force comes into play in regards to how well the ejaculate spreads out. The larger the area, the more surface tension applies.
If you've ever been next to a pond or creek and noticed certain bugs that seem to float on the water, the primary reason for that is the surface tension. The same applies to some liquids.
Actually it is the answer.
No, it's one of the factors in the answer. I can't look at that site and calculate the answer to my question.
AJ
I've read several stories in which characters notice semen floating on the surface
And we all know that sex stories are comprehensively and painstakingly researched by every single writer...
You might also had read about the hymen and its placement, half way inside the vagina... NOT.
Need I go on..?
You might also had read about the hymen and its placement, half way inside the vagina... NOT.
Maybe for some unlucky guys that is halfway in ;)
Is it possible that fresh, hot semen might float on cold water for a short time until temperatures equalise?
I would suggest two other possibilities.
Most oils are denser than water, but will float at least for a time because the oil and the water repel each other. Is the fluid medium of semen water based, or oil based?
At the stated density it's only marginally denser than water and may not be heavy enough to break the surface tension of the water.
Is the fluid medium of semen water based, or oil based?
My understanding is that it's mostly water, even though the protein content gives it a slimy feel.
At the stated density it's only marginally denser than water and may not be heavy enough to break the surface tension of the water.
I'm not sure surface tension is the only criterion. And even if it's able to surmount the surface tension, it might float anyway until the temperatures even out or the semen becomes to dilute to remain a discernible agglomeration.
I suspect there are so many variables in play that the only way to find out is by conducting practical tests.
To start, I need a dozen male (not trans male) volunteers who are prepared to forego ejaculation for 48 hours in the interests of science :-)
Seriously, I might experiment myself, but I feel it would be rather gross to divulge any results here.
AJ