Comments on: Why does the water in the toilet change colour after I use the toilet facilities?

By: Kate A

Kate A — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:57:59 +0000

Because you deposited something of color into it.
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By: anonimous

anonimous — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:18:59 +0000

There are numerous potential ways to interpret this question. Since this is in the Philosophy section I will stay away from the chemistry and optics aspects of the question and stick with the motivation of designer of the system.

The water changes colour (or in the USA color) because the designer of the toilet wanted the user to be able to tell whether the toilet had been flushed after the previous usage.
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By: cupofjavaa

cupofjavaa — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:40:59 +0000

turd makes many things go brown, including water.
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By: gram_stainer

gram_stainer — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:12:59 +0000

I suppose that depends on what it is you’ve done, while using the toilet facilities, doesn’t it?

Urine is a liquid that is basically a composite of byproducts from the metabolic activities that your body naturally goes through on a daily basis. It is composed of urea, ammonia, proteins and all sorts of other lovely things. The chemical breakdown of urea by carbon dioxide is as follows:

(NH2)2CO + H2O —-> CO2 + 2NH3

But it is the urobilins which are mainly responsible for the sunny yellow color you seem fascinated with, when you use the facilities. Perhaps you should just paint your bathroom walls yellow, yes?
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