Can Anything Float in a Superfluid?

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    Properties Superfluid
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the behavior of objects in superfluids, particularly whether anything can float in a superfluid and how the properties of superfluids, such as their frictionless nature, affect buoyancy and motion. Participants explore theoretical implications and experimental observations related to this topic.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the frictionless behavior of superfluids might prevent objects from floating, likening it to a vacuum where nothing can "grab" onto anything.
  • Another participant questions whether a superfluid could float in a normal fluid and references an experiment involving superfluid dripping through small holes.
  • Some participants assert that things can float in superfluids, emphasizing that viscosity does not factor into buoyant forces.
  • A participant mentions that a disk pendulum in superfluid helium experiences friction, indicating that friction may not be entirely absent in superfluids.
  • There is a claim that friction is unrelated to the ability to float, pointing to reactive forces as the relevant factor.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion contains multiple competing views regarding the behavior of objects in superfluids, with no consensus reached on whether anything can float or the role of viscosity and friction in this context.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the implications of superfluid properties on buoyancy and motion, and there are unresolved questions regarding the experimental conditions mentioned, such as the presence of vacuum.

Edi
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Would a ship float in a superfluid? Would anything float in a superfluid?
I think, that the frictionless behavior of the superfluid would prevent anything from floating, because it just can't "grab" to anything, would be like vacuum, no? Yes, ships float because they displace volume of water with equal volume, but with less mass (contained air), but will that work in a superfluid?

When something falls in a liquid, it feels a punch, because of surface tension, witch wouldn't be without viscosity, right? When something is moving in a liquid, it will slow down without a powersource, because of friction, but not in a superfluid, yes? (it would actually sink to the bottom, or would it?...)

Would a superfluid float in a normal fluid?
That experiment where superfluid dripped out through super-small holes, was there vacuum around that container?
 
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is this a trick question?
 
Things float in superfluids. Think about energy and forces. Viscosity doesn't enter into calculations of buoyant forces.
 
Disk pendulum in superfluid helium expierences friction.

By the way friction has nothing with the ability to float (reactive forces for example).
 

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