Home / Science
The Science of Flatulence
Composition & Chemistry
Typical gases include nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, and trace sulfur compounds.
- Nitrogen: 20–90%
- Carbon Dioxide: 10–30%
- Hydrogen: 0–50%
- Methane: 0–10%
- Sulfur compounds: <1% (biggest odor impact)
Diet & Microbiome
Fermentable carbs (beans, certain veggies, whole grains) feed gut microbes, increasing gas.
Acoustics 101
Pitch and loudness depend on sphincter tension, gas pressure, and resonance.