Why does water left in bottles start to smell bad after a few days?
It goes off. Water isn't sterile, it has bacteria in it like just about every other foodstuff. A few days at room temperature and you have a bacteria field-day.
The Short Answer
It goes off. Water isn't sterile, it has bacteria in it like just about every other foodstuff. A few days at room temperature and you have a bacteria field-day.
Analysis
Key Concepts: Bacteria, goes, water
This explanation focuses on bacteria, goes, water and spans 29 words across 3 sentences. At 57% below the average Space & Astronomy explanation (68 words), the answer takes a direct, no-frills approach — sometimes the simplest explanation is the most effective.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “It goes off.” It then elaboratesultimately building toward a complete picture across 3 connected points.
How This Compares in Space & Astronomy
Ranked #403 of 500 Space & Astronomy questions by answer depth (top 81%). This is a brief primer — the answer is intentionally short. For questions with a single core mechanism, brevity can actually be a strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why water left in bottles start to smell bad after a few days?
It goes off. Water isn't sterile, it has bacteria in it like just about every other foodstuff. A few days at room temperature and you have a bacteria field-day.
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Space & Astronomy questions?
This is a brief answer at 29 words, ranked #403 of 500 Space & Astronomy questions by depth. The key concepts covered are bacteria, goes, water.
What approach does this answer take to explain water left in bottles start to smell bad after a few days?
The explanation uses direct explanation across 29 words. It is categorized under Space & Astronomy and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.