How does an ant survive a fall from a great height but another creature dies in a fall from a height of same scale ?
In: Biology
Let’s first agree on the fact that the faster you fall, the harder it will be to gain speed, because the earth’s gravity will have to pull you through more and more air.
Because earth’s gravity is practically constant, at some point you’ll reach the equilibrium where you can’t be pulled faster downwards because the air is breaking your fall. This is called your terminal velocity.
Now, because an ant is so light, even though it is small, its terminal velocity will be low enough that the ant won’t be harmed, the air has an easier time breaking something light, and an ant happens to be light enough.
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