Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to Re: But..

Re: Stuff and nonsense . . .
D. Spires — (archived)

The humble bombus terristris, which can plainly be seen flying around us throughout the summer months, and it is said it cannot possibly be.

Poppycock!

Okay, the basic rule behind this bit of balderdash:
The lift equations for rigid wings are straightforward enough. Bumble bees are bulky, weighing in at very nearly a gram, but they have a wing area of barely about one square centimeter. Run the numbers and we find the astounding truth to the matter. The average bumble bee cannot generate enough lift for their typical flying speed, that being approx. 1 m/s.

But in no way does this little equation prove bumble bees cannot fly. All it proves is that bumble bees with smooth, rigid wings cannot glide. You can even run the experiment yourself with a few dead bees, a small paint brush and a small jar of lacquer.

Bumble bees cannot glide, but they most certainly can fly.

Dan

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