Why is it harder to run underwater but easier to lift

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the comparative difficulty of running underwater versus lifting objects in water, focusing on the roles of water resistance, buoyancy, and density. Participants explore the physical principles involved in these activities, including the effects of buoyancy and resistance in different contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that lifting a foot underwater is easier due to buoyancy, while putting it down is more difficult due to water resistance.
  • Others argue that the main difficulty in running underwater is the resistance encountered, rather than buoyancy, which may not significantly aid in this context.
  • A participant questions the relationship between buoyancy and resistance, suggesting that while buoyancy assists in lifting, it may not be as beneficial when running.
  • There is a mention of personal experiences, such as lifting a parent in a pool, which raises questions about the interplay of buoyancy and resistance in practical scenarios.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the primary factors affecting the difficulty of running underwater, with no consensus reached on the relative importance of buoyancy versus resistance.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the conditions under which buoyancy and resistance operate are not fully explored, and the discussion does not resolve the complexities of these interactions in different scenarios.

TheWonderer1
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Both involve water resistance, buoyancy, and density of water and air. Therefore, I would expect that the lift up of your foot would be easy but putting your foot down would be the most difficult. Lifting an object is easier bc of buoyancy force. Although, apart the object must be buoyant itself for that to work. I don't really get that bc buoyancy would still be there based on the general principles involved. I'm guessing the force wouldn't overcome the resistance possibly making it only somewhat easier.
 
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TheWonderer1 said:
Both involve water resistance, buoyancy, and density of water and air. Therefore, I would expect that the lift up of your foot would be easy but putting your foot down would be the most difficult.

hi there

none of your comments actually addressed your question " why is it hard(er) to run under water
And because you didn't state, I will at this point assume you are comparing it to running in air ?

your comments never took into account the main reason for the difficulty to run under water ( other than stating what it is)
You got side-tracked by talking about buoyancy

do you know the reason now ?
 
Last edited:
Not going to lie to you. That didn't make much sense. I thought the comparison would be obvious. I'm going to say the main reason is resistance and the water being displaced. Maybe let me ask is it turn that picking up your foot is easier underwater? Just as it is easier to pick up an object. I didn't state what was going on bc it is definitely density and resistance. I'm wondering bc I have an interest in buoyancy force right now. I think it is quite cool. It would seem to me that the foot itself is pulling up with the buoyancy force so that would be easier. However, you still have water resistance. Although, if a gold foot from an old statue needs to be lifted. I would think water resistance would come into play. However, I can still pick up my dad as a kid in the pool so that seems a bit contradictory!
 
Last edited:
When lifting a heavy object, buoyancy is helping you. When you are trying to run, water resistance is the main problem, while buoyancy doesn't help much, since the weight involved is relatively small.
 

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