Swimming on the Moon: Adapting Sports for Spacemen

In summary: Earth vs. swimming... on the moon? In summary, anyone want to give a guy a helping hand? Just wondering if anyone understands how the physics of swimming would be different from swimming on the moon. My project is to adapt a sport (to help our spacemen of course) so that they can continue to work out while outside of our planet. I play water polo at school and thought it would be easy enough to adapt to the moon since most of it is horizontal velocity. The ball seems easy enough to do, but the more I look into the physics of swimming, the more I wonder if the moon changes it a lot. So, if there's anyone online in the forums who would please consider how and how
  • #1
Borzorp
6
0
Anyone want to give a guy a helping hand? Just wondering if anyone understands how the physics of swimming would be different from swimming on the moon. My project is to adapt a sport (to help our spacemen of course) so that they can continue to work out while outside of our planet.
I play water polo at school and thought it would be easy enough to adapt to the moon since most of it is horizontal velocity. The ball seems easy enough to do, but the more I look into the physics of swimming, the more I wonder if the moon changes it a lot.

So, if there's anyone online in the forums who would please consider how and how much being on the moon vrs. Earth would change swimming, please reply. BTW On the moon we can make a structure and fill it with air, but we still cannot remake gravity. So I'm thinking gravity will be the main variable. I know it will be much easier to tread, but what about water displacement and such when you're moving in a horizontal direction... will that change?
 
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  • #2
I think the lack of water would be the main problem!
 
  • #3
Hm... well, we could import the water from earth... and then fill a room with gases and then put the water into a pool... assuming that we could do that, how would the sport change?
 
  • #4
I think the most obvious difference is that you'd have much larger waves and splashes. And passing the ball would travel much further.
 
  • #5
I think that the larger waves and splashes could be balanced out by the fact that you would be able to tread higher, right? The force making the wave would be the same, so the force making you tread would still be high enough to get you over those waves...

But, I don't understand why playing water polo on the moon would make passing the ball much faster. Is there a horizontal component I'm overlooking? I thought the problem was alomst purely dealing w/ gravity (i'm supposed to look at everything, of course) So... if I'm missing something, what is it?
 
  • #6
This topic interests me, because it reminds me that we still have a long ways to go before experiments can be accomplished in outer space. With the construction of the new space station, these types of experiments (thermodynamic/motion of water) will be conducted in much deeper research. The factors of water with differences in gravity is the main topic of research I suppose for this project. But I can't even fathom there being any waves at all, since the reason we have waves on Earth is because of the moon traveling around us.
 
  • #7
Originally posted by Borzorp
But, I don't understand why playing water polo on the moon would make passing the ball much faster.
You're right that it wouldn't go faster. But chemicalsuperfreak said it would go farther. This is true:
[tex]x_{max}=\frac{v_{0}sin2\theta}{g}[/tex]
So decrease g and you increase the range.
 
  • #8
I'm thinking he's meaning waves from the pool... the force would be mainly from the people having very little to do with the moon.
 
  • #9
Fb = pVg

Buoyant Force = (Density of water) (Volume displaced by person) (gravity constant)


p (rho) (density) stays the same
V stays the same
g decreases


Thus, the buoyant force (pushing up on you) decreases.


Your weight, however, decreases by the same factor.

(F = mg)
(Weight = mass * gravity constant)


Therefore, you would float just as high on the moon as you would on Earth.
 
  • #10
So the bonds of water would stay relatively the same when gravity is varied. In other words, the density of water is always the same no matter what amount of gravity is produced? Would the density of a ball be the same when traveling through a black hole?
And I wasn't talking about a pool in that specific idea(sorry forgot to mention that), I was referring to an ocean or lake.
 
  • #11
Originally posted by NanoTech
So the bonds of water would stay relatively the same when gravity is varied. In other words, the density of water is always the same no matter what amount of gravity is produced?

Density is mass per unit volume, so yes, density is indepentent of gravity.
Would the density of a ball be the same when traveling through a black hole?

BLACK HOLE? Where did that come from I thought we were on the Moon! this is an entirely different question, please keep it seperate.
And I wasn't talking about a pool in that specific idea(sorry forgot to mention that), I was referring to an ocean or lake.

Once again, I though we were talking about the moon, there are no rivers or lakes, if there were it would be no different from any other pool of water.

Is there any difference between swimming in a swimming pool and a (freshwater) lake?
 
  • #12
I'm guessing that the bends would be much less common.
 
  • #13
haha thanks integral. You cleaned up the non helpful comments, but sadly didn't add any yourself! Argh, haha. This damn thing is due tomorrow... Now I've figured out that bouyant force + Weight balances you out in the water... but now, more specifically... when you start treading and a force to your feet... how the heck do you know how much force will be needed?


Fnet = (m)(a)

(m) (g) + Force Generated by Feet = (m) (a)

The Gravitational force is there, so it will in fact be different in both places, but how much different? How could you tell how much force will be generated by your feet? maybe just enough to overcome weight??
 
  • #14
Are we dealing only with direct gravitational effects here?
 
  • #15
i'm talking about the waves produced by lakes/oceans and not swimming in them. i guess your right - the size of the wave is relative to the size of the body of water. hence, that's why ocean waves are so big. i know I'm getting off the subject here, but I'm guessing an oceans tides would be different on the moon(or any other planet) compared our Earth's tides.
 
  • #16
LoL, who cares! this is due tomorrow... In a minute I'll post up what I have if anyone actually wants to help... damn, I feel retarded in physics.
 
  • #17
I didn't add anything because I felt it was pretty well covered.

Could you put some personal effort into putting these pieces together?

You now know that you will float the same, buoyancy is relative density.

The force your feet exert on the water are not gravity dependent, the vertical opposition to those forces are gravity dependent.

It is not the general policy here that we do homework for people. You have been given a big portion of your answer, try to put some of it together yourself.
 
  • #18
How about moonwalking on water? Hmmm?
 
  • #19
Would cavitation be appreciably affected?
 
  • #20
Originally posted by Loren Booda
Would cavitation be appreciably affected?

Good 1

My guess is that impeller based pumps would not be affected (except for the priming stage).

But If you are talking about boat props...hmm.. good one.
My my wild guess would be yes, as the air on the surface of the water would have an easier time reaching the prop on average. Surface drive props (usually used for high performance apps) would probably be affected in a similar way.
 
  • #21
How about cavitation from kicking legs of a vertical water polo player?
 
  • #22
Originally posted by Loren Booda
How about cavitation from kicking legs of a vertical water polo player?

You would probably want to shave your legs.
Who wants to do this experiment?
 
  • #23
I would think there would be no way that the water would stay in the pool. As soon as the water would be touched by someone or something, the water would gradually float away into the atmosphere. I would think the biggest worry about this whole project would be keeping the water from floating away! If you could keep the water down onto the ground, then no physical forces would be different from here on Earth. When "Tang" was poured out by the astronauts, it floated away like air-how would that be any different on the Moon?
 
  • #24
Because the surface of the moon is not zero-G.
 
  • #25
I'm guessing that a good swimmer should be able to completely clear the water (like a leaping dolphin) in lunar gravity -- if you manage to leave the water at 3m/s, you should be reach able to reach 6m up. In fact, it's probably so easy, that it might have to be made illegal to throw opponents out of the pool.

The audience would be behind a window, since the water would spray everywhere.

There is also an extra concern about people drowning since the sense of balance would be much weaker, and there would be much more water in the air (spray would stay around much longer).
 

What is "Swimming on the Moon: Adapting Sports for Spacemen"?

"Swimming on the Moon: Adapting Sports for Spacemen" is a hypothetical concept that explores the potential for adapting sports and physical activities for astronauts living in space or on the moon. It is a topic that has gained attention as space exploration and colonization become more prevalent.

Why would astronauts need to adapt sports for space?

In space, there is no gravity, which affects how the body moves and performs. Without proper adaptation, traditional sports and physical activities would not be feasible for astronauts. Additionally, the limited space and resources on a spacecraft or moon base would require creative thinking in terms of designing sports and activities.

What are some potential adaptations for sports in space?

Some potential adaptations for sports in space include using resistance bands or springs to simulate gravity, creating low-impact versions of sports to reduce strain on the body, and using virtual reality technology to simulate traditional sports. Other adaptations may involve creating new sports or games specifically designed for the unique environment of space.

What are the benefits of adapting sports for astronauts?

There are several potential benefits of adapting sports for astronauts. These include maintaining physical and mental health, providing a form of recreation and stress relief, and promoting teamwork and camaraderie among crew members. Adapted sports could also provide a sense of normalcy and help astronauts stay connected to their home planet.

Are there any challenges in adapting sports for space?

Yes, there are several challenges in adapting sports for space. These include the effects of microgravity on the body, limited space and resources, and the need for specialized equipment and training. Additionally, cultural and personal preferences may also need to be considered when designing adapted sports for a diverse group of astronauts.

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