So a buddy and I are debating whether this is possible or not. I say it's not, and when pressed for any kind of evidence or backing of his claim (that it's possible), he just calls me a stupid idiot.
So, LR, is this possible?
So a buddy and I are debating whether this is possible or not. I say it's not, and when pressed for any kind of evidence or backing of his claim (that it's possible), he just calls me a stupid idiot.
So, LR, is this possible?
I guess evidence of it being possible would be salmon swimming up a river? Not exactly human, I suppose.
Swim up the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico to Minnesota. Your elevation has increased. --> must have swum uphill.
I do think it requires flowing water, as still water will become flat.
Are you debating this in a special education class?
The bottom of a pool is basically a gradual hill (most pools slope from shallow to deep). You are able to swim along the bottom of the pool from the deep end to the shallow end, so you must be able to swim uphill.
The above posters have given 2 examples. It is possible, your dreams have become reality.
Confused Runner wrote:
...he just calls me a stupid idiot.
So, LR, is this possible?
yes, most definitely.
yes you can wrote:
The bottom of a pool is basically a gradual hill (most pools slope from shallow to deep). You are able to swim along the bottom of the pool from the deep end to the shallow end, so you must be able to swim uphill.
No, I would argue that that's not swimming up hill at all, given that the water up top is completely flat.
And, NO, it's not in a special ed class, jerk. It's on our couch in the living room. He's my roommate.
I would say yes, it is possible, but "uphill" swimming is actually easier than "downhill" swimming. Have you ever noticed how it's easier to surface from the deep than it is to swim straight down (dive)? Is this because humans are buoyant?
Only during the freeswim periods Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 3:30 PM in my university pool.
slope wrote:
The above posters have given 2 examples. It is possible, your dreams have become reality.
+1
Confused Runner wrote:
So a buddy and I are debating whether this is possible or not. I say it's not, and when pressed for any kind of evidence or backing of his claim (that it's possible), he just calls me a stupid idiot.
So, LR, is this possible?
Why do you think it's not possible?
Try it here and let us know how it turns out:
Yes, it is possible to swim uphill. Water does not simply settle across the earth at the same level. Variations is atmospheric pressure for example can cause depressions or bulges in the ocean. Find one of those and you can swim up/downhill to your heart's content!
I think I understand what you mean. Say there was a stream that goes down a gradual incline. Gravity is taking it down, buoyancy could hold you up but only parallel to the stream, could you swim hard enough to make it up the incline from the bottom? I say it depends on the incline. I could probably swim up a gradual hill. Could I swim up a waterfall? Probably not. I'm not sure where the tipping point it though.
yes it's possible - However, once the current equals an individual's maximum swimming speed (so that they are not moving relative to the bank) then at that point they cannot swim uphill (aka against the current).
Confused Runner wrote:
No, I would argue that that's not swimming up hill at all, given that the water up top is completely flat.
Ok, then. If you took a tube of water and set it at an angle, you'd be able to swim up the grade just as easily as in the swimming pool and the water on top would not be flat.
Confused Runner wrote:
So a buddy and I are debating whether this is possible or not. I say it's not, and when pressed for any kind of evidence or backing of his claim (that it's possible), he just calls me a stupid idiot.
So, LR, is this possible?
It IS possible to swim vertically.
Just go to the bottom of a pool and begin swimming up.
In the same manner, it is possible to swim uphill by moving in an upwards-diagonal direction.
If you're talking about swimming at the surface though, then no, it most certainly is not possible. Due to the effects of gravity, water will be almost perfectly flat at its surface.
While at the ocean, can't a person swim towards the top of a thick, slow moving wave to avoid getting their head wet? Isn't that a form of swimming up hill?
A HILL is defined as a "naturally raised area of land." Water is not land. So no.
You can, however, swim "up," just not uphill.
