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News 2: How do Fish Swim?
Eels and other snake-like varieties of fish swim by pushing themselves in a wave-like fashion through the water. Their movement through the water is similar to a snake moving on land. This is a relatively slow type of locomotion and a good deal of energy is needed to propel (move) the fish. Fish with streamlined bodies and a stiff, crescent-shaped caudal fin or tail, tend to move rapidly through the water by swishing their tail from side to side. This action propels the fish much like sculling (rowing a boat with an oar) propels a boat. The caudal fin or tail is not the only fin a fish uses to swim. For…
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News 1: How do birds fly?
The shape of a bird’s wing is important for producing lift. The increased speed over a curved, larger wing area creates a longer path of air. This means the air is moving more quickly over the top surface of the wing, reducing air pressure on the top of the wing and creating lift. Also, the angle of the wing (tilted) deflects air downwards, causing a reaction force in the opposite direction and creating lift. Larger wings produce greater lift than smaller wings. So smaller-winged birds (and planes) need to fly faster to maintain the same lift as those with larger wings. Wing loading tells you how fast a bird or plane must fly…
