AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Surface tension is the reason why it hurts when you perform a “belly flop” in a pool or body of water because it takes a lot of force to break the strong molecular bonds of water molecules.

Detailed explanation-2: -When you dive, you part the water with your hands, and it’s not an issue. If you fall on your belly, the same surface area has to break the water to enter it, and all that force goes into the body. It’s not quite like falling on concrete, but it’s a similar sensation, ” Ahluwalia said.

Detailed explanation-3: -It is similar to being hit on the belly really hard. It can affect organs such as the liver, kidney, pancreas and the bowels. Not only is the abdomen taking the brunt of the landing into the water at a high velocity, there is also sudden deceleration, both of which can cause trauma to the organs.

Detailed explanation-4: -The pressures caused by breaking the surface at high speed is what makes water act more like a solid, non-moving surface so that’s why it actually feels like concrete. Even slapping the water’s surface fast with an open hand demonstrates how this can sting on a very small scale.