2007-12-06 20:19:26 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Well the fastest I know about water traveling is 18,000 mph...but that was in space, inside of an object.
However, I think that I do understand your question.
Just like there is a limit that you can raise water using only suction (if memory serves it is around 64 feet in a single lift, after that it vaporizes). There has to be a limit of water moving...at some point the friction would turn the water into another form. But what this limit is I do not have a clue. I am not even sure how to go about determining this limit.
I am not sure anyone has done the calculations to determine the absolute maximum rate of speed for water. If they have I haven't read about it.
I do know that it would be a very complex problem...as the water on the inside of the stream would have a different friction rate than the water on the outside of the stream. And the outside side of the stream would continually be replaced by the inside of the stream (maybe). That would depend on how you approach the problem.
I am fairly sure that you could calculate an average for the entire mass...but not sure you could ever define the maximum speed of water, before it turns into something else. And, I am sure you could measure the speed of one atom of water before it turns into something else...but one atom traveling alone doesn't prove anything.
I am making the assumption that you are talking about water in its natural state...but, not in a natural setting. If you are talking about a natural setting it is limited by Newton's law, then it would be the same as anything else.
Sorry, I couldn't help more than maybe (?) to expand your question. But, now you have me wondering about that.
2007-12-06 21:00:25 · answer #1 · answered by Russ B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, but water doesn't move unless acted upon by outside forces. Water travels depending on the force acting on it. Like in a tsunami, tsunami take place when a huge earthquake occurs causing the plates below the water to push up causing the water to create a huge wave.
2007-12-06 20:29:04 · answer #2 · answered by Warren 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a weird question....it depends on the pressure pushing it. I dont think there is any limit on how fast water can travel...like asking how fast can someone throw a ball? It depends who is throwing it just like the speed of water depends on if it is falling down a water fall or being pumped through a garden hose or a fire hose.
2007-12-06 20:23:02 · answer #3 · answered by Derrick Q 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe Einstein theorizes that fastest anything can travel is the speed of light - so theoretically, water could travel at the speed of light.
Example: Astronaut holding a glass of water in his spaceship going Warp 1. Live long and prosper.
2007-12-07 06:20:51 · answer #4 · answered by Prophet 1102 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the speed of water in a river is affected by gradient, friction of materials, and stricture.
However, it stands to reason the fastest water can travel would be as a falling object.
http://van.physics.uiuc.edu/qa/listing.php?id=115
2007-12-06 20:25:26 · answer #5 · answered by Alex 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
we cannot really tell the approximate speed of water because there are many factors to consider like the wind direction, the temperature, the structure and shape of its container (in case it is in a vessel), the geographical structure of the body of water it is within and its geographical location. so it will very hard to tell...
2007-12-06 20:27:40 · answer #6 · answered by tonton 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋