Whether in groups or as individuals, humpback whales are canny hunters. They herd prey together by encircling them and releasing bubbles that form a “net” that bars escape. Then, the whales Keep reading
Tag: hydrodynamics
Floccing Particles
Adding particles to a viscous fluid can create unexpected complications, thanks to the interplay of fluid and solid interactions. Here we see a dilute mixture of dark spherical particles suspended Keep reading
Paddling
When I lived in New England, I often spent summers paddling around a lake in either a kayak or canoe. Every stroke was an opportunity to stare down into the Keep reading
Catching Prey
The skinny, freshwater alligator gar can grow to more than 2 meters in length, giving it a distinct resemblance to its namesake. But this fish’s history traces back more than Keep reading
Underwater Snakes, Gusty Flying, and Microswimmers
If you like your fluid dynamics with a healthy dose of biology, this video’s for you! Learn about the hydrodynamics of snake strikes, how birds fly in gusty crosswinds, and Keep reading
Stone Skipping Physics
The current record for stone-skipping is about 88 skips. For most of us, that’s an unimaginably high number, but according to physicists, human throwers may top out around 300 or Keep reading
Dinosaurs, Propellers, and Hiding Objects
The latest FYFD/JFM video is out, and it’s all about the interactions between structures and flows! We learn about plesiosaur-inspired underwater robots, how turbulence affects air-water interfaces, and how adding Keep reading
The Flutter of Kelp
Many species of kelp change their blade shape depending on the current they experience. In fast-moving waters, the kelp grows flat blades, but when the water around them is slower, Keep reading
Leaping Mobulas
Mobula rays are second only to manta rays in size, and, unlike their larger cousins, relatively little is known about them. Like other rays, they propel themselves by flapping their Keep reading
Building Smart Swimmers
Scientists have long wondered whether the schooling of fish is driven by hydrodynamic benefits, but the complexity of their environment makes unraveling this complex motion difficult. A recent study uses Keep reading