Fundamental question about 'smell'

In summary, the sensation of smell is caused by small amounts of matter leaving the body and reaching olfactory receivers in the nose. It is possible for a body to lose all its mass as smell, but this is not the main reason for things getting smellier. Smell can also be affected by chemical reactions and the vapor pressure of substances.
  • #1
bill nye scienceguy!
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As I understand it, the sensation of smell is caused by small amounts of matter leaving the body before being incident on olfactory receivers in our nose. Now, since the 'smell' has mass and it is leaving the body, could there eventually arise a situation where some body loses all its mass as 'smell' and ceases to exist?

Intuitively this seems correct, and I can point to my anecdotal evidence of books smelling 'stronger' as they age and deteriorating in condition, but if this is not the case then can somebody explain to me how smell actually works?
 
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  • #2
Yes, a body can lose all its mass as smell (or equivalently, you can consider the body to have become completely spread out to wherever all its smell molecules went).

Books getting smellier may have not much to do with losing mass. Things can get smellier through a chemical reaction - if you fry chicken, it becomes smellier (in a good way, usually), but that's mainly because the chemicals it is emitting are different, and your nose is more sensitive to the new chemicals from the chicken.
 
  • #3
Perhaps a better example is one of those plug-in air fresheners that heats and volatilizes a solid. After a while, the smell goes away because the material has evaporated. But most of the solid objects around us (other than ice) have negligible vapor pressure and won't be vanishing any time soon.
 
  • #4
If water smelled like something you would smell it when you are around it. If you started boiling it, it would be a stronger smell. Look up vapor pressure.
 

1. What is smell?

Smell, also known as olfaction, is one of our five basic senses. It is the ability to detect and perceive scents and odors using the olfactory system, which is located in the nose.

2. How does smell work?

When we inhale, the molecules from the substances around us enter our nose and dissolve in the mucus in our nasal cavity. These molecules then bind to olfactory receptors in the olfactory epithelium, and send signals to the brain which interprets them as different smells.

3. Why is smell important?

Smell plays a crucial role in our daily lives. It helps us to detect potential dangers such as gas leaks or spoiled food, and also enhances our enjoyment of food and beverages. Smell is also closely linked to memory and emotion, and can trigger strong emotional responses.

4. How many smells can humans detect?

Humans can detect around 10,000 different smells. However, some people may have a more sensitive sense of smell than others, and certain cultures may have different perceptions of smells based on their exposure to different scents.

5. Can smell change over time?

Yes, smell can change over time due to a variety of factors such as aging, illness, and environmental factors. Some studies have shown that certain smells may become more intense or unpleasant as we age, while others may become less noticeable. Smell can also be affected by medications and certain health conditions.

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