Name: If superpowers were real: Flight
Uploaded: 2019-02-12T22:37:46Z
Duration: 4 min 33 s
Description: What if human flight wasn't just the stuff of epic comic book stories? Is it scientifically possible to fly? In this series Joy Lin tackles six superpowers and reveals just how scientifically realistic they can be to us mere mortals. [Directed by Cognitive Media, narrated by James Arnold Taylor].

What if human flight wasn't just the stuff of epic comic book stories? Is it scientifically possible to fly? In this series Joy Lin tackles six superpowers and reveals just how scientifically realistic they can be to us mere mortals. [Directed by Cognitive Media, narrated by James Arnold Taylor].

Joy Lin: If superpowers were real: Flight

If superpowers were real: Flight

Exploring human flight, we find running at 27 mph is possible, but swimming's top speed is under 5 mph due to fluid dynamics.

Flying, akin to swimming in air, would be less efficient due to air's particles moving past each other, dispersing energy.

High-altitude flight exposes one to cold and 'the bends,' while low flight necessitates goggles for protection from obstacles.