Smoke smell in a flat below mine.

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    Flat Smell Smoke
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether smoke from a balcony can be smelled by residents living below the smoker. Participants explore the physics of air movement and diffusion in relation to smell perception.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that warm air rises, which could affect the distribution of smoke smell.
  • Another participant notes that while warm air rises, smoke may not remain warm for long, implying that its dispersal could be affected by temperature changes.
  • It is mentioned that without a breeze, smoke can diffuse and affect a large volume of air, potentially allowing those below to smell it.
  • A later reply humorously asserts that certain types of tobacco can be detected from a significant distance, indicating that smell can travel far under certain conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that it is possible for people below the smoker to smell the smoke, but there is some debate about the conditions under which this occurs, particularly regarding air movement and diffusion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the specific conditions that affect the smell's reach, such as the influence of wind or the type of tobacco used.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in the physics of diffusion, air movement, and the sensory perception of smells may find this discussion relevant.

bagofbones
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Good day, everyone,
I have an uncommon question:
Man smokes in a balcony. Will the people, who are below him will smell that? Or just people who live above the man?
I guess warm air is going up, but how about a smell, diffusion says that molecules are moving disorderly, so I completely lost my mind whether smell can be smelled if you are below.
This is some kind a exercise, but I can't recognize which physics field it belongs to.

Thank you!
 
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bagofbones said:
warm air is going up
So long as it's warm --- which isn't long for smoke.
bagofbones said:
diffusion says
No breeze, a smoker can "perfume" a fairly large volume of air.
 
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Bystander said:
So long as it's warm --- which isn't long for smoke.

No breeze, a smoker can "perfume" a fairly large volume of air.
So the answer is yes? People below can smell that?
 
Definitely. If it's left-handed tobacco, some can smell it on the next block.
 
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