Thread: Sense of Smell in relation to Temperature

I wasn't really sure where I should post this, but I figured Biology would be appropriate as it has to do with the olfactory senses.

My question is:

Is there some sort of equation, procedure, or even graph that can show the average person's sense of smell in relation to how warm or cold it is outside?

To clarify, I am speaking in terms of a pungent smell: think skunk or dairy (cow) farm. In short, a smell that permeates the air.

I presume the colder the temperature, the slower the molecules move through the air, and, therefore, the less distance the smell travels.

If you ever drive through the country and pass a cow farm when it is 90 degrees outside, it really smells. I presume the methane can pass freely (no pun intended) through the air.

If you drive by the same cow farm when it is 40 degrees outside, the smell will be much less offensive, if you can smell it at all.

Any and all help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Sorry I don't know where to find that.

But I suggest that it's the temperature of the nose not the air between. Much as objects become dull to the touch, with cold hands.

Cow patties do simmer more on hot days of course.

Thanks for the tip. I am not very well versed in biology, as I spend most of my time programming.

The reason I am asking is because according to my friend's lawsuit, a cop smelled urine outside of the barn from over 50 yards away when the temperature was 22 degrees. I was hoping science could prove that this was implausible or possibly impossible.

One bump for any other info, or possibly a site/forum that can provide the info.

I suppose the warmer, the smellier, since the molecules would be more active.

I agree with chronman, higher temperatures mean the molecules become more active and move faster and further. Not only that but as the temperature increases the states changes and things like urine will get closer to boiling point and turn into gas which means there is more gas carrying the smell through the air.