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Can I escape from quicksand?

Presenter Greg Foot investigates quicksand and discovers why it's so dangerous. Practical experiments show that quicksand is a non-Newtonian fluid that can behave as both a solid and a liquid. The reasons why quicksand can be so difficult to escape from are explored, looking at the forces involved in trying to escape. The scientist then explains that it is impossible to drown in quicksand because when the person is submerged to waist level, they float. The greatest danger lies in being drowned by the sea when the tide comes in. Finally a method that can be used to escape from quicksand is described and explained.

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Duration:

5 minutes

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