From: The Airspeed of an Unladen Swallow
perspectivescientific

Biologists use strict math to study flight. By looking at a bird's weight, wing shape, and how fast it flaps, they can calculate its speed. This helps us design better drones and understand how animals travel thousands of miles during migration.

controversy

Supporting arguments

  • Uses wind tunnel data to confirm theories
  • Applies the Strouhal ratio to estimate bird speeds
  • Helps us map out animal migration routes
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What else is in this exploration
3 evidence blocks2 visualizations2 insights2 media resources4 rabbit holes
evidence
A European swallow flies at a normal cruising speed of about 24 miles per hour.
evidence
A European swallow beats its wings about 18 times every second.
evidence
The African Mosque swallow is estimated to fly at about 40 miles per hour.
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The Airspeed of an Unladen Swallow
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