If every person in the boat is going to apply the same amount of force when they row no matter what the others in the boat are doing, why does it matter if they're all rowing together? I understand that all rowing together results in a stronger individual burst, but why is one strong burst any stronger than multiple weak bursts when the sum is the same?
I understand theoretically that if everyone's moving at once, the resistance to individual rowers appears lower - but why is that, if they're still applying the same amount of force?
2007-12-03 02:19:22 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The problem is not with the boat -- it would go faster -- but with the rowers: The boat gets knocked around and the rowers can't apply their power as effectively.
Theoretically, a row boat would go faster if everyone (or at least every starboard-port pair) of rowers rowed at different times. That way, you would keep constant force on the water and constant velocity in the water.
The change in velocity of the boat caused by the rowers moving back and forth causes a drag force that is greater than if the velocity were kept constant. At one point in the 1980s, a 'sliding rigger' was introduced allowing the rowers butts to stay in one place with their feet pushing the riggers. This caused a more constant velocity profile and the boats were FASTER by a few seconds over a standard 2000m course. This design, however, was outlawed for the 1984 Olympics because it was deemed unfair.
Having the oar blades enter the water at different times has been proposed many times and tried a few times. The problem is not with the idea itself, but the practice. It screws up the rowers timing and power application.
There is a significant change in the boats momentum each time a rower changes direction and starts to drive the oar through the water. When everyone does it together, it becomes easy to row. But when the timing gets off in a boat, it becomes much more difficult because the rowers start feeling a jerk each time someone starts or stops applying power, or changes their bodies direction in the boat. And it is this jerk (actually impulse force) that makes it difficult for the other oarsmen to max out there power application.
There is also a change in the 'set' or 'balance' of the boat, because the action of droping the oar in the water and starting the drive tends to knock the boat over to the other side.
Both these problems create instability. It would be like rowing in rough water. The rowers can't apply their power as effectively as if the boat weren't being knocked around. It would be like trying to run or ride a bike on a rough, slippery surface. Despite your best efforts, you can't do it as well.
2007-12-03 04:41:42 · answer #1 · answered by Frst Grade Rocks! Ω 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I’m sure there are a lot of reasons. I can think of two. First, if everyone rowed at different times. The boat would move left and right, this would make for a longer distance to travel. Also, if everyone rows at the same time, the summed force will help the boat to hydroplane. If the boat does this, it can move farther for the same amount of force than if it didn’t hydroplane.
2007-12-03 02:34:14 · answer #2 · answered by ttiell 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Just watch a boat with an engine take off. First it down in the water and as it pick up speed it "Planes Out" and begins to ride on top of the water. We will not see this as easy with people rowing, but, I assume the water begins to flow under the boat to give some amount of lift out of the water.
2007-12-03 02:29:33 · answer #3 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
if everyone rows at the same time, the force from each rower is applied at the same time, and there will be a greater resultant, and also less resistance to motion, as there are more rowers doing the same action.
Also if one is out of time, it will interfere, and instead of producing an intense burst of speed each row, it will be a gradual slower rate of speed (like if each rower rowed individually)
this is not to mention that the paddles are in close proximity and would knock against eachother if motion wasnt in unison.
2007-12-03 02:24:36 · answer #4 · answered by brownian_dogma 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
This just a random question? =) Uhm I think theres something to do with the fact that all the people in the boat are pushing at one time, and thats all the more force that your pushing with. Like. If you try to kick through a 1 foot plank of wood by yourself you have a pretty good chance of not getting through it, but if you get about like 5-10 people, or however many changing to the situation, you will mostlikley get through it.
2007-12-03 02:25:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The laws of physics... When everyone rows at the same time all in the same direction there is going to be a greater force. Just think like on the highway, if everyone moves at the same time at the same speed in the same direction, the traffic moves faster and more efficiently. If someone is going slower or faster this can mess up the rhythm cause problems. Make sense?
2007-12-03 02:23:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
I'm not sure about all of the physics and stuff like that, but think of it this way. If you and 5 friends were trying to, say lift a heavy bed upstairs, you would get much farther at one time if you were to all lift at once. If you all lifted individually at different times, you would barely be able to lift it up. Sorry if I wasn't that much help.
2007-12-03 02:23:38 · answer #7 · answered by Lita 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
a) their oars don't smack each other. b) it's timed in a way that maximizes the force and maintains momentum.
2007-12-03 02:21:35 · answer #8 · answered by czekoskwigel 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
the momentum is all at the same time
2007-12-03 02:21:13 · answer #9 · answered by Sam R 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
more the energy the faster you go
2007-12-03 02:23:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋