Tell me why this doesn't work
March 29, 2010 5:56 PM Subscribe
Silly scientist, we all know Mothra flies through the power of song.
posted by Nelson at 6:12 PM on March 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by Nelson at 6:12 PM on March 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
This is not a slow flap.
Given a 250 meter wingspan, and a conservative 30 degrees of flapping radius (an actual moth flaps its wing much more than 30 degrees), at a rate of 0.5 hz the wing tips are each moving 32.72 meters per second, or 117810 kph.
posted by idiopath at 6:13 PM on March 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
Given a 250 meter wingspan, and a conservative 30 degrees of flapping radius (an actual moth flaps its wing much more than 30 degrees), at a rate of 0.5 hz the wing tips are each moving 32.72 meters per second, or 117810 kph.
posted by idiopath at 6:13 PM on March 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
No, the real physics question is what manner of subsonic vibrations is Mothra giving off when she shatters skyscrapers when she flies by?
posted by yeloson at 6:13 PM on March 29, 2010
posted by yeloson at 6:13 PM on March 29, 2010
^ Obviously.
Less popular (thus lesser known) Japanese monsters include Mothro. And Godzillo.
posted by jabberjaw at 6:32 PM on March 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Less popular (thus lesser known) Japanese monsters include Mothro. And Godzillo.
posted by jabberjaw at 6:32 PM on March 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Mothra is beyond any farcical square-cube relationship! Bah. Next people will be complaining about King Ghidorah's three heads and their neurological unlikeliness...
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:34 PM on March 29, 2010
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:34 PM on March 29, 2010
Gamera would kick the crap out of Mothra.
posted by Mister_A at 6:34 PM on March 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Mister_A at 6:34 PM on March 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Tangentally related, I guess they're going to do a new Godzilla movie in two years.
posted by Caduceus at 6:39 PM on March 29, 2010
posted by Caduceus at 6:39 PM on March 29, 2010
And people say foreign films aren't accessible to Americans. Sheesh, I was watching these things when I was like six.
posted by marxchivist at 6:47 PM on March 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by marxchivist at 6:47 PM on March 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
I have some issues with his calculations:
1. He calculates the volume of air thrust by her wings as the surface area of the wings times the distance. But her wings are "hinged" to her body, displacing less and less air the further they move.
2. As the wings continue their downstroke, they will increase air pressure, causing air to move outside the column of thrust.
3. Some air must be thrust up during the upstroke.
So that might be why the number seems low.
posted by justkevin at 6:54 PM on March 29, 2010
1. He calculates the volume of air thrust by her wings as the surface area of the wings times the distance. But her wings are "hinged" to her body, displacing less and less air the further they move.
2. As the wings continue their downstroke, they will increase air pressure, causing air to move outside the column of thrust.
3. Some air must be thrust up during the upstroke.
So that might be why the number seems low.
posted by justkevin at 6:54 PM on March 29, 2010
Mothra? Pshaw. We can beat Mothra with one wing and two heads tied behind our back.
And all my heads are fine, thank you, GenjiandProust.
posted by Ghidorah at 6:58 PM on March 29, 2010 [4 favorites]
And all my heads are fine, thank you, GenjiandProust.
posted by Ghidorah at 6:58 PM on March 29, 2010 [4 favorites]
Another thing that is missing from the calculations is the fact that Mothra's wings will billow somewhat under the downward thrust. Have to factor in the billowing!
posted by Mister_A at 7:08 PM on March 29, 2010
posted by Mister_A at 7:08 PM on March 29, 2010
This speculation is pointless for me until I can figure out if Mothra needs a pilot's license, and then of what kind.
posted by Iosephus at 7:15 PM on March 29, 2010
posted by Iosephus at 7:15 PM on March 29, 2010
I strongly dispute the learnin' prowess of anyone who broaches the prowrestling-rubber monster movie connection without being fully au courant in the happenings of KAIJU BIG BATTEL.
posted by Kandarp Von Bontee at 10:38 PM on March 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Kandarp Von Bontee at 10:38 PM on March 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Mothra science! This is what the internet was made for.
posted by Theta States at 6:29 AM on March 30, 2010
posted by Theta States at 6:29 AM on March 30, 2010
Professer Michael LaBarbera at the University of Chicago does a wonderful lecture on the biomechanics of B-movie monsters; his analysis of Mothra focuses on the problems of breathing through tracheal tubes at that size.
posted by nonane at 7:45 AM on March 30, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by nonane at 7:45 AM on March 30, 2010 [1 favorite]
Do birds need pilot licenses? Bees? Bats? No? Then neither does Mothra. Fly, Mothra, Fly!
posted by sandraregina at 10:07 AM on March 30, 2010
posted by sandraregina at 10:07 AM on March 30, 2010
Wouldn't the wings snap?
Also wouldn't the power requirements to beat the wings be enormous?
posted by sien at 8:02 PM on March 30, 2010
Also wouldn't the power requirements to beat the wings be enormous?
posted by sien at 8:02 PM on March 30, 2010
Are you doubtful of Mothra's immense power?
posted by Theta States at 4:39 AM on March 31, 2010
posted by Theta States at 4:39 AM on March 31, 2010
Indeed, Mothmaterials and Mothforce could no doubt beath Mothra's mighty flappy bits.
posted by sien at 9:06 PM on March 31, 2010
posted by sien at 9:06 PM on March 31, 2010
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posted by acrasis at 6:05 PM on March 29, 2010 [4 favorites]