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Re: [Phys-l] swimming



"The reason, explains Cussler, is that while you experience more "viscous drag" (basically friction from your movement through the fluid) as the water gets thicker, you generate more forwards force from every stroke. The two effects cancel each other out."

This appears to violate the energy principle. If the drag is greater the same energy will result in a slower terminal speed. Unless there is increased efficiency in the more viscous fluid. In the more viscous fluid one's strokes will be less frequent. Does that mean more efficient?

bc





On 2010, Mar 30, , at 08:59, Jeff Marx wrote:

Not exactly in-line with the original question, but related...

http://www.nature.com/news/2004/040920/full/news040920-2.html


Swimming in syrup is as easy as water

You can swim just as fast in a pool of gloop.

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