It depends on what you mean by "rise". Unless you removed the sponges, the sea level would rise in that the height of the massive pile of wet sponges where the ocean used to be would be greater than the current sea level. I don't think sponges actually significantly compress water, they just hold it. The water fills some of the holes in the sponges, but I don't think it actually takes up any less space while it's in the sponge. So adding sponges wouldn't raise the sea level as much as adding something that doesn't absorb water, like ball bearings or cats. They'd still add volume, though.
It's cool! It was a little silly of me to mention the possibility of compression like that in the first place. It should be pretty obvious that sponges wouldn't compress water, but then I was like "Oh shit, what if there's something I'm not taking into account? I'd better be weird and wishy-washy about this shit".
Anyway, don't worry. There are way worse physics embarrassments to be had than that. I was once rude about Neil Degrasse Tyson's teaching methods on a forum (and part of my objection was that I thought one of the things he said was false/meaningless, which turned out not to be the case), and then Professor Tyson actually showed up, very politely responded, and recommended some books to me to clear up the misunderstanding. It was weird and super embarrassing, but I have a lot of respect for him now.
If you'd fill the sea...
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It depends on what you mean by "rise". Unless you removed the sponges, the sea level would rise in that the height of the massive pile of wet sponges where the ocean used to be would be greater than the current sea level. I don't think sponges actually significantly compress water, they just hold it. The water fills some of the holes in the sponges, but I don't think it actually takes up any less space while it's in the sponge. So adding sponges wouldn't raise the sea level as much as adding something that doesn't absorb water, like ball bearings or cats. They'd still add volume, though.
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kr24
10 years ago
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You are right when you say sponges don't significantly compress water. In fact, they can only retain it. Liquids cannot be compressed, ever.
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VioletTrees
10 years ago
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That's not strictly true. Liquids can be compressed. That includes water, but it takes a great deal of pressure to compress it appreciably.
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kr24
10 years ago
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It seems you are right.
Please crucify me.
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ThrowawayAlt14159
6 years ago
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LordRahl
10 years ago
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VioletTrees
10 years ago
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*constructs a cross*
come here Jesus i need you experience in crucifying people....
lol j/k
It's cool! It was a little silly of me to mention the possibility of compression like that in the first place. It should be pretty obvious that sponges wouldn't compress water, but then I was like "Oh shit, what if there's something I'm not taking into account? I'd better be weird and wishy-washy about this shit".
Anyway, don't worry. There are way worse physics embarrassments to be had than that. I was once rude about Neil Degrasse Tyson's teaching methods on a forum (and part of my objection was that I thought one of the things he said was false/meaningless, which turned out not to be the case), and then Professor Tyson actually showed up, very politely responded, and recommended some books to me to clear up the misunderstanding. It was weird and super embarrassing, but I have a lot of respect for him now.
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kr24
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Wow that's something lol