Transportation across a liquid metal lake
TL;DR then scroll down, genius
This question is set in a planet with a human population, about the size of Earth with earth-like formations, that has appropriate lifeforms to the conditions following. The planet has multiple continents, but one continent is about the size of Asia and Africa combined (pretty big), and on this particular continent, there is a lake about the size of Australia (pretty damn massive).
These humans are advanced to about a 19th century degree, so we aren't looking at motors, nor electricity.
The lake isn't connected to any oceans, but there are plenty of convenient fresh water rivers that run through the continent, so plant, animal and human life isn't hindered by such a lake. Because of its size, rain doesn't accumulate directly on top of it, and it is mostly in an arid area, so we don't have to worry about water accumulating on top. You know what? Don't even think about weather at all.
The lake, as per the question, is made of a metal-like substance. This is similar to mercury, in which in remains a liquid in common temperatures (it would 'freeze over' in some areas during the winter months like typical water lakes would), and it is incredibly dense, although not as much as mercury.
This metal is not dangerous chemically, but it obviously poses the threat of drowning, if you get stuck somehow (although humans can comfortably stand on it for a few seconds, so anyone who drowns... deserves to drown). It doesn't let off any dangerous fumes, and is a pretty useless substance but stands in the way indefinitely.
This is because, to my consideration, it would be considerably difficult to cross such a lake... with conventional methods. I found this, which doesn't really offer any insight, apart from a comedic view.
Keep in mind that I am looking for how one might sail, or whatever floats your boat (on a mercury-like lake, mind you), on a mercury-like lake. I don't want any flying, and simply walking across it with camels is not an option. You'd sink. It's not as dense as mercury. And even if you could keep up the speed, where would you sleep?
I'm expecting physics-based boats that are designed to go on long trips across this liquid. I would prefer for it to be powered by nature, or mechanically powered, but any vessel that matches the human's technology advancements is a step in the right direction.
And for the lazy people who didn't read all that:
How might one use a boat effectively in (on?) a mercury-like lake?
This post was sourced from https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/9568. It is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
1 answer
Let's have a look at what methods of propulsion could be used.
- Sailing (wind)
- Paddle power
- Steam engines
Sailing requires a large sheet of sailcloth attached to a mast. Paddles require big paddle wheels attached to the side of the boat. Steam engines are big and heavy and need to be attached to something.
Let's do some math - if a human can stand for a few seconds on this metal, something a bit lighter could float. Average human mass is 75kg, so let's say 50kg could float standing on a 500cm2 foot area. That means this metal will let anything float, given that it exerts a force less than or equal to $ \frac{50}{500} = 0.1\text{ kgcm}^{-2} $, or $ \frac{50}{0.05} = 1000\text{ kgm}^{-2} $
So let's look at sailing. If you want a reasonable size boat, you also need a reasonable size sail. A fairly big wooden boat would weigh a few tons, say 4 including sails. For that to work, what surface area does this need to be spread out over? 4 square metres. So boats on this lake are not going to need to be big; they can in fact be completely differently designed than conventional boats we're used to.
Using that formula, you can determine how big your boats need to be, but in general most things will float, even with their methods of propulsion.
$$ \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{max. force (1000)}} = \text{necessary area} $$
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