The Physics of Swimming

Abenes, Blanchefleur Beltran, Roxanne Baguilat, Glydelle Dela Cruz, Maureen Anne

Three Types of Frontal Drag that can

FRICTION slow a swimmer down:
what makes us move and 1. PRESSURE OR FORM DRAG –
what slows us down in the difference between the higher
the water pressure at the head of the swimmer
and the lower pressure behind the
swimmer n the slipstream
2. FRICTION – the rougher the object
3 LAWS OF NEWTON (swimmer), the more friction; the
A swimmer in motion smoother/slicker the object, the less
will stay in motion friction
unless stopped by 3. SURFACE OR WAVE DRAG – it
another force. occurs as a result of the swimmer
being partly submerged and party
out of the water.
Speed is a constant
battle between 2
forces: propulsive
drag and frontal drag. PROPULSIVE DRAG – when you push
the water back with your feet and hands,
the water pushes you forward
When you push the
water, the water
To go faster, you can either increase
pushes back in the propulsive drag or reduce frontal drag
opposite direction.

TIPS: Reduce frontal drag by perfecting your technique on every stroke. You can also
increase propulsive drag by changing the position of your hands, which are very
important sources of propulsion or by kicking with very flexible ankles which will
change the direction of your push and help you go faster.
 The Physics of Swimming
Abenes, Blanchefleur Beltran, Roxanne Baguilat, Glydelle Dela Cruz, Maureen Anne

The optimal pull is with

around a 10 degree
finger separation.