Could a person do this? -- Push a cruise ship by hand

Thread starter thetexan
Start date Oct 23, 2014
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hand Push Ship

In summary: Let's assume that floating in the water provides an almost frictionless surface.If you exerted a force of 50 newtons against the hull of the ship, you would move the ship an increment of 0.5 meters in 1 hour.

Jun 2, 2016

anorlunda

Staff Emeritus

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DaveC426913 said:

You were almost certainly wtinessing the influence of current or wind.

I agree with @DaveC426913. Since it is probable that the ship was in salt water, tidal currents are significant. The period of slack tidal currents when motion stops, is very brief.

To test this hypothesis in real life would be very difficult because there wind and/or waves and/or currents are almost always present. Even oscillations allowed by the elasticity of the docking lines easily overpower a human.

Nevertheless, the theoretical question is fun. I think the 5.92 meter answer is credible for the theoretical question.

Does anyone have contacts in NASA? I would not be surprised to hear they measured displacement of the ISS caused by a space walking astronaut pushing on it.

<h2>1. Could a person actually push a cruise ship by hand?</h2><p>Technically, yes. However, it would be extremely difficult and unlikely for a single person to push a cruise ship by hand. The average cruise ship weighs around 100,000 tons and requires powerful engines to move through the water.</p><h2>2. How much force would it take to push a cruise ship by hand?</h2><p>The amount of force required to push a cruise ship by hand would depend on the size and weight of the ship, as well as the resistance of the water. It would likely require an immense amount of force, far beyond what a single person could generate.</p><h2>3. Has anyone ever successfully pushed a cruise ship by hand?</h2><p>There are no recorded instances of a single person successfully pushing a cruise ship by hand. However, there have been cases where groups of people have pushed smaller boats or vessels for short distances.</p><h2>4. Would it be easier to push a cruise ship in still water or moving water?</h2><p>It would be easier to push a cruise ship in still water, as there would be less resistance. The movement of water around the ship creates a force called drag, which would make it more difficult to push in moving water.</p><h2>5. What other factors would affect a person's ability to push a cruise ship by hand?</h2><p>Aside from the size and weight of the ship, other factors that would affect a person's ability to push a cruise ship by hand include the surface of the ship's hull (smooth or rough), the person's physical strength and endurance, and the weather conditions (wind, waves, etc.).</p>

1. Could a person actually push a cruise ship by hand?

Technically, yes. However, it would be extremely difficult and unlikely for a single person to push a cruise ship by hand. The average cruise ship weighs around 100,000 tons and requires powerful engines to move through the water.

2. How much force would it take to push a cruise ship by hand?

The amount of force required to push a cruise ship by hand would depend on the size and weight of the ship, as well as the resistance of the water. It would likely require an immense amount of force, far beyond what a single person could generate.

3. Has anyone ever successfully pushed a cruise ship by hand?

There are no recorded instances of a single person successfully pushing a cruise ship by hand. However, there have been cases where groups of people have pushed smaller boats or vessels for short distances.

4. Would it be easier to push a cruise ship in still water or moving water?

It would be easier to push a cruise ship in still water, as there would be less resistance. The movement of water around the ship creates a force called drag, which would make it more difficult to push in moving water.

5. What other factors would affect a person's ability to push a cruise ship by hand?

Aside from the size and weight of the ship, other factors that would affect a person's ability to push a cruise ship by hand include the surface of the ship's hull (smooth or rough), the person's physical strength and endurance, and the weather conditions (wind, waves, etc.).