Would you be able to swim at all in pure ethyl?
2007-06-20 12:28:36 · 12 answers · asked by Claudio-o 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
consider density...
ethyl alcohol = .789 g/cm^3
where as water = 1 g/cm^3
what makes you buoyant and can swim is if the weight of the fluid you displace > your weight.
so let's say the average human male is oh 6 ft tall x 1 foot wide x .5 ft thick = 3 ft^3 and weights 170 lbs. That person would displace 3 ft^3 of water weight = 186 lbs of water (water weights 62 lbs/ft^3)
that same person would displace .789 x 186 lbs of ethanol = 147 lbs of ethanol.
it would be like swimming in fresh water while holding 40 lbs of lead weight.
when I scuba dive, I have 20 lbs strapped around my waist and I sink easily in salt water. I don't think I could swim in fresh water with 40 extra lbs strapped to me.
2007-06-20 12:52:46 · answer #1 · answered by Dr W 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The density of ethyl alcohol is .789 g/mL
Density of pure water is 1g/mL
Desnity of ocean water is 1.027 g/mL
The density of the average human body is between 0.945- 0.985g/mL depending on whether you've just inhaled or exhaled (inhaling reduces density, exhaling increases it).
So, that said, you can see that your body is less dense than either salt or pure water and so you're "lighter" so you stay afloat. Ethyl alcohol is much lighter though. Even if you were to fill your lung with air, your density (~.945g/mL) would be still heavier than that of ehtyl alcohol (.789g/mL). So, you'd just sink to the bottom of the pool.
Coincidently, it's easier to swim in the ocean than in a swimming pool because the salt in an ocean makes the water heavier, and you (comparatively) lighter. So it's easier to stay afloat.
2007-06-20 12:49:11 · answer #2 · answered by Jared 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Do not drink pure ethyl alcohol. Have a beer if you are thirsty. It is safer.
2016-05-21 02:55:59 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The human swimmer in water is normally boyant in water with a few people not boyant. Water's specific Gravity is 1. Alcohol, with a specific gravity of .789, will not help support a swimmer. A swimmer might be able to swim short burst but will have trouble with burning sensation on all orifice surfaces (eyes, nose, mouth, etc) and have trouble breathing and trouble thinking if fumes or other consumtion occurs.
I would not try it myself. Its a very dangerous hobby!
2007-06-20 12:43:01 · answer #4 · answered by telsaar 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The density of ethyl alcohol is about 0.79g/cc if you were stationary in it you would sink, but if you expend some extra energy to stay on the surface, you could probably swim at least a little distance in it. (I would prefer to drink the ethyl alcohol and swim in water).
2007-06-20 12:39:51 · answer #5 · answered by Flying Dragon 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
umm... rofl ><
But seriously....... why?
Im guessing this is either some weird fantisy of yours, or a serious question pertaining to boyancy. Im assuming that you would be able to propell yourself through the alchahol, you might want to check density ratios.
Very very very bad idea, exactly the kind of thing you hear about in the morons section of some morning show.
2007-06-20 12:38:42 · answer #6 · answered by Fendor 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
In theory, but it will probably kill you.
Ethyl alcohol is very volatile and easily absorbed into the skin. You would get a very short, intense high, just before you die from alcohol poisoning.
It ain't worth it.
2007-06-20 12:37:55 · answer #7 · answered by Tom-PG 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
You better hope someone doesnt light a cigarette or anything flamable for a 500 yard radius. Or even on a hot summer day.
2007-06-20 12:31:25 · answer #8 · answered by leikevy 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Probably, but you would want to cover your eyes and any sensitive areas.
2007-06-20 12:37:00 · answer #9 · answered by Red Ant 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
sure!! go ahead you can let us know later on
2007-06-20 12:37:48 · answer #10 · answered by harleygirl 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋