Do submarines go faster underwater or above water?

Yes, as Larry has succinctly pointed out with a neat cross reference, the modern submarine travels faster underwater than on the surface. The use of a single mode of propulsion and a hull form optimised for underwater travel has brought this about.

Why are submarines faster submerged?

The modern submarines are designed to operate fully submerged, so they have less drag when submerged than on the surface. There is more than one type of drag: The resistance from water is skin drag, and this skin drag does go up as the wetted surface increases when the sub submerges.

Do submarines have a hull speed?

By getting away from the complex propagation of wave energy at the air-water interface, submarines have no hull speed despite the fact that they displace more water submerged than when surfaced. Displacement is not the only drag force on a body moving through water.

How do you get air on a submarine?

Oxygen onboard a submarine is released either through compressed tanks, an oxygen generator, or by some form of an ‘oxygen canister’ that works by electrolysis. Oxygen is either periodically released throughout the day at specific time intervals or whenever the computerized system detects a reduction in oxygen levels.

Do submarines have less drag when submerged?

The modern submarines are designed to operate fully submerged, so they have less drag when submerged than on the surface. There is more than one type of drag: The resistance from water is skin drag, and this skin drag does go up as the wetted surface increases when the sub submerges.

Why do submarines have tapered hulls?

The tapered shape of modern submarines is specifically designed to minimize submerged drag — & it does a very good job of it. However, it seriously sucks in surface operations compared to the shape of a surface vessel. The trade off is well worth it for the submerged advantages. Why do submarines have higher top speed when fully submerged?

Do submarines spend most of their time underwater?

Before and during WW2, submarines spent most of their underway time on the surface. This was due to the submarines’ limited endurance while submerged. It was more important to optimize their speed on the surface so the hull form of submarines looks like that of any other surface ship.

Why do sumarines go faster than submarines?

So, since submarines for the same speed see less resistance, only frictional and pressure and not wave. So sumarines, for the same power, can go faster underwater.