New Entry in Our ‘Fluid Mechanics and Transport Phenomena’ Series: Will Humans Swim Faster or Slower in Syrup?
Edward Cussler took 300 kilograms of guar gum, a thickening agent found in salad dressing, and dumped it into a 25-meter swimming pool on campus.
The resulting goo was twice as thick as water.
Cussler convinced 16 volunteers to swim a few laps.
The result? The swimmers didn’t go any faster in water than in the goo. Cussler says that’s because that while the goo generates more drag on your body, it also lets you generate more force with each push and kick.
[The most troublesome part of the experiment was getting permission to do it in the first place. Cussler and Gettelfinger had to obtain 22 separate kinds of approval, including persuading the local authorities that it was okay to put their syrup down the drain afterwards.]
{ full story | photos }
November 19th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Before I read the results I would have guessed slightly faster. While there is more drag, the higher viscosity would allow you to push harder and get slightly more air, thus lowering the resistance.
Anyone try diving in this mess?
November 19th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Thats awesome!!! really cool
November 20th, 2007 at 12:55 am
looks fun but i don’t want to swim in that.
November 20th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Ok, I’m puzzled: what’s with the face masks? I think I’d feel a little nervous about swimming half-naked in anything that required any sort of protective gear to unload. (Bear in mind: when was the last time you put on a face mask to get in the shower or fill up a swimming pool with water?)
November 20th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
The masks are because its in a fine powder and they couldn’t inhale it.
November 20th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Why the face mask? Because they are pouring a powder and the dust gets in the air and they do not want to breath it in. Think of it this way, you can drink water, but if you breath it in it would not be good.
November 20th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
What’s with Digg Science posting really old stories? I produced an interview with this guy for Discovery Channel years ago. BTW - He’s hot.