If superpowers were real: Flight - Joy Lin

TL;DR

If humans could fly naturally, we would not be able to reach speeds as fast as sprinting or swimming due to the resistance and lack of solid ground in the air. Flying would require pushing against the air, which is less efficient than pushing against the ground.

Transcript

If humans could fly, without tools and machines, how fast do you think we would go? As of 2012, the world record for fastest short-distance sprint speed is roughly 27 miles per hour. Running speed depends on how much force is exerted by the runner's legs, and according to Newton's Second Law of Motion, force is the product of mass times acceleratio... Read More

Key Insights

• 👻 Flying without tools or machines would not allow humans to reach speeds comparable to running or swimming due to the lack of solid ground in the air.
• 💦 The resistance of the medium (water or air) affects the speed at which humans can move.
• 💦 The fluidity of water and air makes propulsion less efficient, requiring humans to exert more energy to move forward.
• ✋ Flying at high altitudes would expose humans to freezing temperatures and require proper insulation to maintain body temperature.
• 🫢 Flying too quickly upwards can cause decompression sickness due to the rapid expansion of gases in the body.
• 💥 Safety measures such as goggles, helmets, and following flying rules would be necessary to prevent accidents and collisions mid-air.
• 😚 Losing consciousness while flying could result in free fall until impact with the ground.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is running speed faster than swimming speed?

Running speed is faster than swimming speed because solid ground provides more resistance, allowing for a stronger push and faster propulsion. On the other hand, water is more fluid, resulting in less resistance and slower swimming speeds.

Q: Why would flying be more similar to swimming than running?

Flying would be more similar to swimming because both require pushing against a fluid medium, whether it's water or air. The lack of solid ground in the air makes flying more akin to swimming rather than running.

Q: Why is Michael Phelps slower in water compared to running speeds?

Michael Phelps is slower in water compared to running speeds because water offers less resistance compared to solid ground when pushing against it. The fluidity of water allows for easier movement but hinders the ability to achieve high speeds.

Q: Why would flying at high altitudes be dangerous?

Flying at high altitudes would be dangerous because the atmospheric pressure is lower, resulting in freezing temperatures. Without proper insulation and protection, the human body would experience extreme cold, potentially leading to hypothermia and loss of muscle control.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Running speed relies on pushing against the ground, while swimming speed is limited by pushing against water. Flying, however, would be more similar to swimming due to the lack of solid ground in the air.

• Water is more fluid than solid ground, allowing less resistance when swimming. Air, on the other hand, has more free space for particles to move around, resulting in the need to exert more energy to move forward while flying.

• Flying at high altitudes would expose the body to freezing temperatures due to lower atmospheric pressure, potentially leading to hypothermia. Flying too quickly upwards could also cause decompression sickness or "the bends."