Sha’Carri Richardson, the fastest woman in the world, has stunned fans with her incredible speed. Now, scientists say she might be able to run on water—at least in a theoretical physics thought experiment.
In a fascinating article published in Physics World ahead of the Paris Olympics, fluid dynamics expert Nicole Sharp explored whether a human athlete could run on water.
The answer is theoretically yes, but practically no. Sharp explains that certain animals, like the basilisk lizard (also known as the “Jesus Christ lizard”), can run on water by slapping their feet rapidly against the surface.
This method counteracts their weight and allows them to stay afloat.
Scientists have extensively studied the mechanics behind these animals’ water-walking abilities.
For instance, the Western grebe, a water bird, takes up to 20 steps per second to run on water, while an average Olympic sprinter only takes about five steps per second.
A study from the 1990s by Harvard researchers concluded that a 176-pound human would need to slap the water at a speed of 30 meters per second to stay afloat, which is impossible under Earth’s gravity.
However, a 2012 study by researchers at the University of Milan explored whether humans could run on water under reduced gravity conditions.
Their experiment suggested that, theoretically, humans could run on water on a low-gravity celestial body like Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. This study even won the 2013 Ig Nobel Prize for its quirky yet intriguing findings.
So, could Sha’Carri Richardson run on Titan? Sharp’s analysis suggests that Richardson, with her record-breaking speed, could slap the surface of Titan’s ethane lakes at 8.7 meters per second. Richardson has already achieved a speed of 9.3 meters per second, making this feat theoretically possible.
With her unparalleled speed, Richardson could become the first woman to “walk” on a liquid surface in low-gravity conditions.
This playful exploration of physics and athletic prowess underscores the boundless possibilities of scientific inquiry and human potential.
If there’s an adventurous, chaotic good billionaire out there, this might be the perfect opportunity to fund a groundbreaking experiment and let Richardson take her speed to new celestial heights.
