If a two legged object (such as a person) were to attempt to run on the top of liquid water (like a lake), how fast would they have to run to be able to acomplish it?
2006-12-02 11:41:50 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I don't know, but there is a solution. It's when your feet hit the water fast enough for the impulse of the splash to counteract your weight until the next foot fall. My rough guess would be around 100 mph with size 13 feet.
2006-12-03 04:35:24 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are organism which can "walk" on water: see link.
According to this water has a certain surface tension which would have to be "broken" by the touching foot of the human being running over water. The basic equation would be that the foot of the hb would have to touch the water for a time shorter than it needs the tension to break. In reality this will not be possible.
But: water is fluid, this means it has a certain kinetic energy, if you are able to reduce the energy by freezing or by adding other materials this time would be increased significantly (which is the fact if water freezes and the binding forces are strong enough to support a hb).
Or: you increase the surfcae of the foot so the weight is distributed over a lerger surface.
2006-12-02 19:45:31 · answer #2 · answered by Robert K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would approximate the answer by using a familiar physical analog: barefoot waterskiing. I would recast the question as follows: What is the minimum speed a barefoot waterskiier must be pulled in order to successfully ski on the surface of the water? I'm sure this could be measured more precisely but my guess -- for the purpose of this answer -- would be, say, around 35 mph.
Now, I don't think this gets us to the answer because, a runner is self-propelled and, therefore, will not use their feet as efficiently as a waterskier to overcome the surface tension of the water. Therefore, my guestimation would be to, say, triple the approximation to the waterskiing analog to compensate for the loss of mechanical efficiency due to running instead of skiing.
Therefore, my final answer would be approximately 100 mph!
2006-12-02 12:58:04 · answer #3 · answered by MikkiB 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For this question I don't think it's a matter of speed, but a matter of weight, surface tension, and surface area of the two legged object that is trying to cross.
I remember my high school physics final was to walk on water.
Spent all weekend making some kick a** boots.
Worked too, I was still nice and dry by the time I reached the other side of the pool.
2006-12-02 11:51:37 · answer #4 · answered by sassy_cheesesicle 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Run Across Water
2017-03-02 07:02:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don’t really know but i would definitely try to make an experiment trying to find an answer to this question even though i know i would not run so fast in order to "float" but i would try other methods such as putting wood under my feet and run... LMAO... Good question...
i give you 10 points LMAO..
2006-12-02 16:19:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not the horizontal speed that matters. It is the vertical impulse you have to accomplish.. Unless you can defy Archimedes somehow.
2006-12-02 13:08:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
u cant unless ur really light (ounces) and the surface area of ur feet is huge
2006-12-02 11:49:09 · answer #8 · answered by Ryan A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to me you would have to run as the speed of light
2006-12-02 11:51:32 · answer #9 · answered by Angels Eyes 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, there was this one guy who did it. A long time ago...
2006-12-02 11:49:28 · answer #10 · answered by madame_operaghost 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋