Hey people,

This is a chemist proposing a simple playful thought experiment. Any ideas on what you might expect to happen if suddenly all the water molecules in your body (and the universe) were changed with respect to their bond length, which are enlongated by somewhat 5 %? So instead of the typical equilibrium bond length of 95.8 pm, it would be 100.6 pm. The bond angle remains the same.

In the case that some vital organ is damaged by the sudden change in the density of water, you may comment on that. You may also comment on the case where this is not an issue and somehow balanced out.

Would you believe this to be enough to kill us off? Are binding pockets in enzymes, hydrogen bonds etc. too specific?

No references needed - just speculation

Stefan

If the bond length in water suddenly increased, all the water in your cells would suddenly be bigger.

The cells would burst.

No living thing would be likely to survive that.

Also, the water would become less dense so even fatty materials would now be denser than water.

So teh pulped remains of water living organisms would sink.

2 hours ago, John Cuthber said:

If the bond length in water suddenly increased, all the water in your cells would suddenly be bigger.

The cells would burst.

No living thing would be likely to survive that.

Also, the water would become less dense so even fatty materials would now be denser than water.

So teh pulped remains of water living organisms would sink.

Why is everything "just right"?

Is it because we live in a multiverse, where our universe is "just right"?

2 hours ago, QuantumT said:

Why is everything "just right"?

Is it because we live in a multiverse, where our universe is "just right"?

Everything evolves to fit the prevailing conditions and the failures fall by the wayside and disappears, so it looks like everything fits perfectly.

19 hours ago, QuantumT said:

Why is everything "just right"?

It isn't.
For example, people get gout and scurvy because they lack enzymes that other animals have.

17 hours ago, StringJunky said:

Everything evolves to fit the prevailing conditions and the failures fall by the wayside and disappears, so it looks like everything fits perfectly.

Just now, John Cuthber said:

It isn't.
For example, people get gout and scurvy because they lack enzymes that other animals have.

I wasn't talking about life and survival of the fittest, but about the physical constants.

If teh physical constants were different, we either wouldn't be here or we would be different; but possibly asking the same question.