Physics of a Kayak (Qayaq) Essay example -- physics kayak kayaking qay

Qayaqs, now known as kyaks, were used by the Yupik Eskimos of Southwest Alaska. The Qayaq is a symbolisation of the Yupik culture. It symbolizes the significance of subsistence and using the surrounding resources to survive. This vas also represents the intelligence and ingenuity of the Yupik people developing and designing a water craft that was swift, quiet, and could withstand harsh water turbulence.They were used as a mode of transportation for subsistence hunting and gathering. They were also a symbol of importance in society. ...it was the basis among men for obtaining wealth and women (Zimmerly, 40). Wealth was mensural on the ammount of goods a globe could give away, indicating he was a victorious hunter. In turn, because this hunter had a qayaq, he had to be skillful in manuvering the qayaq and hunting which gave him status in the community. This would be equivalent to a man owning his own vehicle and having a good job (Zimmerly, 40). from each one qayaq was fitted o ut with hunting suppliments to ensure the hunters success. (http//www.alaskanative.net/341.asp). This mode of transportation was very efficient and aventageous composition traveling along coast lines and upstream against a current. This style and of sea vessel is known as the Bearing Sea Kyak. Qayaq building was a very time consuming process. There was a ceremony held in the traditional mens house while each of the wooden memebers of the qayaq was cut. Each piece of wood was measured by the size of the owner. Thus each mans kyak is built according to the specifications of his own body and hence is peruliarly fitted to his use (Zimmerly, 40).Qayaqs were on average fifteen feet in length. They had wide and deep hulls, the bilges were move and slightly fl... ...L/nAs a rule of thumb R 3000 turbulent flow Anything in between 2000 and 3000 is unstable and may go back and forth between laminar and turbulent flow.(www.physics.usyd.edu.au/teach_res/jp/fluids/flow1.pdf)Works CitedAlaska native Australian Heritage Center. Floating Bodies 101. Lincoln, K J. Qayanek The Resurrection of a Lost Art. Delta Discovery 13 October 2004. 14+Serway, Jewett. Physics for Scientists and Engineers 6th Edition. Pomona California State Polytechnic University. 2004. optic Physics. Yupik Qayaq. Zimmerly, David W. Qayaq Kayaks of Alaska and Siberia. Fairbanks University of Alaska Press, 2000.