Two physicists have worked out the optimal way for men to avoid splashback at the urinal. Tadd Truscott and Randy Hurd of Brigham Young University, working in the fluid dynamics laboratory called the "Splash Lab," built artificial urethras for their research, because working in the field did not appeal to them. They named the equipment the "Water Angle Navigation Guide." Then they used high-speed cameras to study flow, angle, distance, and the results to determine the best way to pee to keep urine from getting all over the restroom -or on oneself.
Splashback was heightened by a phenomenon known as Plateau-Rayleigh instability, where a falling stream of liquid breaks up into droplets.
"The male urine stream breaks up about 6-7 inches outside the urethra exit," Mr Hurd explained.
"So by the time it hits the urinal, it's already in droplet form. And these droplets are the perpetrators of the splash formation on your khaki pants."
His advice? "The closer you are, the better. If you can get stream impact with the porcelain, it's a lot less chaotic."
That's not the only advice. The "whizz kids," as the research team call themselves, also address the angle of approach, the distance from the urinal, and whether it is better to stand or sit to pee. Their results will be published later this month in a presentation titled Urinal Dynamics, but you can read the highlights at the BBC. -via Time Newsfeed
(Image credit: BYU Splash Lab)
Comments (4)
Simply saying "pee sitting down" or "stand closer" is insufficient. A good engineering solution is called for here.
We've four cats - and have given up trying to keep them off the worktops. We just wipe down carefully before we cook. The youngest particularly likes to play in the sink. Right now he's sitting under a dribbling tap negotiation with The Squid about who gets to use the tap.