From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!ihnp4!ihuxr!lew
Newsgroups: net.physics
Title: Re: teabag answer
Article-I.D.: ihuxr.265
Posted: Wed Dec 22 13:55:15 1982
Received: Thu Dec 23 06:10:14 1982

The teabag problem provides an excellent opportunity for the conception
and execution of a critical experiment. Remember the story about the
philosophers trying to figure out how many teeth a horse has, but
disdaining to count them? It is easier to laugh at this story than to
learn from it.

Nevertheless, we are entitled to our opinions, and I opine that
Tim Drabik's explanation is incorrect. I believe this explanation
( water displaces air ) could be refuted or verified by using cold
water instead of hot.

Distinguishing the effects of air expansion from those of water vapor
production presents a nicer problem. I personally am content that it
must be the water vapor. My teabags stay inflated only so long as
I continue to pour hot water on them. I take this to mean that the
inflation depends on the continuous production of water vapor at the
bag surface.

Lew Mammel, Jr. ihuxr!lew