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A Unified Theory of Animal Locomotion
Roland Piquepaille writes "You probably already know that there is a master equation for all life processes based on metabolism. Now, physicists from Duke University have applied the so-called 'constructal theory' to explain how running, flying and swimming modes of locomotion are similar even if they're apparently unrelated. This single unifying physics theory explains how fast animals get from one place to another and how rapidly and forcefully they step, flap or paddle in relation to their mass. In other words, these scientists argue that the characteristics of animal shape and locomotion are predictable from physics."
the characteristics of animal shape and locomotion are predictable from physics
They must be using real animals only. I know for a fact that the Pegasus's shape (to cite just one famous example) isn't predictable from physics.
--MarkusQ
Roland Piquepaille and Slashdot
these scientists argue that the characteristics of animal shape and locomotion are predictable from physics
I wonder who could expected the outcome to be the other way around.
Yes, they are the same or different. I could have told you that without a research paper.
Forget the penguin for a moment.
Are birds buoyant in their fluid?
That right there is a big difference.
I dub thee... Sir Phobos, Knight of Mars, Beater of Ass.
Robotics researchers already knew that something like 'animal' locomotion could be implemented based on the principles of physics. ie. given the right mechanical setup, locomotion is almost automatic and takes no supervision by a computer.
Actually, it's what you'd expect. Animals would naturally evolve to move in an efficient manner. It would give them an evolutionary advantage. What the bleep did these guys expect?
www.sciencenews.org/articles/20050806/bob8.asp
As far as I'm aware, fish have gills and lay squishy (scientific term) eggs, while birds lay solid eggs and have lungs. Birds also have feathers, and I'm not aware of any feathered fish.
And heck, if you're going to define our atmosphere and our ocean as a fluid medium, then you're saying that ALL animals are the same - name a single animal that travels through a completely SOLID medium.
http://www.TheGamerNation.com/Forums
You have obviously never hooked a bird up to a tank of hydrogen. I assure you, they're quite buoyant before they explode.
occultae nullus est respectus musicae - originally a Greek proverb
The Horta?
Shop as usual. And avoid panic buying.
Well if they're fast animals, and they're going from one place to another, perhaps they do it by moving quickly? Ever considered that?
It could be just "bad luck" -- evolution isn't guaranteed to find the best solution to anything, only a solution that is "good enough" to guarantee survival of the species (otherwise the species would have gone extinct). But putting that aside, there are probably structural reasons why animals never evolved wheels -- for example, how would do you connect nerves or blood vessels to an appendage that needs to be able to rotate freely?
Finally, it could be that in nature wheels aren't actually "better" after all. There wouldn't be much use in being able to roll down a freeway at 50MPH if there are no freeways, and your snazzy evolved bio-wheels keep getting stuck in the mud...
I don't care if it's 90,000 hectares. That lake was not my doing.
"Or maybe a fish shaped like a donut?"
I hate to break this to you but most animals (including fish and humans) are shaped like donuts (tube surrounded by the organisim). This is not the only "body plan", there are ~30 others still around today, (eg: Jellyfish have only one orifice). All body plans that have ever existed hail back to (or before) the Cambrian explosion
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
Penguin FAQ
"Penguin feathers are short, overlapping and densely packed. The outer part of the feather is waterproof while the inner down section traps an insulating layer of air, keeping the penguin warm in the sometimes freezing water."
[Ahem]
I have to type in some non cap letters here, otherwise the server won't let my quote pass. It is not my fault it's all in caps. That's the way it was written the first time!
So, without further ado, the quote, courtesy of that haven of IRC gems, bash.org:
YES IS NOT AN ANSWER TO "A OR B?"