2006-12-29 16:15:45 · 6 answers · asked by ixat02 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The buoyant force would still exist with the oil, but it would only be ~90% of the water (the buoyant force up is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced). So you need to expend more energy pushing your head above water just considering buoyancy. All of this neglects the viscosity of the oil which will be higher than water so moving your arms and legs to swim would require more work than swimming in water. Assuming this is at room temperature, the oil is 69 times more viscous than water. This would relate to a 69 times greater force for the same movement achieved in water. My final answer is no you cannot swim to save your life, but that is due to the viscosity effects and not the fact that it is lighter than water.
2006-12-29 19:14:58 · answer #1 · answered by Angry Marsupial 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can swim, but you won't float.. the density of you (mostly water) is greater than the oil, so you will sink..
2006-12-29 16:30:19 · answer #2 · answered by Guru 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not for long. It would be the equivalent of wearing a lead vest weighing 10% of your body weight.
2006-12-30 10:26:02 · answer #3 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's better than falling into a pool of sulfuric acid. Sadaam used to dangle people into pools of sulfuric acid head first.
2006-12-29 16:23:25 · answer #4 · answered by zoomat4580 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What about the viscosity? I can see that being problematic.
I think it depends on what you are swimming to, a ladder or something?
2006-12-29 16:18:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah, as long as you can swim, you wouldn't be able to float in it but you could swim in it
2006-12-29 16:30:30 · answer #6 · answered by j b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋