2007-02-17 23:47:45 · 6 answers · asked by angel 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
No, it won't die.
It won't die because the mass of it's body, - as a ratio of it's surface area, - and it's body construction, lends it self to not squishing like humans.
2007-02-17 23:54:46 · answer #1 · answered by MK6 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
An ant will die if thrown in vacuum (or in low density air). Under real conditions, there would also be a force due 'friction' in the air, or whatever you call it, and wind as well. Of course, it's not the same as to drop a feather but I suppose an ant has a minor chance to survive.
2007-02-18 08:48:19 · answer #2 · answered by TJn 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Even though it will reach terminal velocity, it will still be enough to shred it into pieces on impact. The momentum is too great.
Vf = â(Vi² + 2aÎx) = â(0 + 2(9.81m/s²)(1000m)) = 140 m/sec
Vi = 0 (assuming you just let it go).
Vf = 140 m /sec (speed of sound = 340.29 m / s)
so yea, it's gonna suffer.
And no, this is NOT "like trying to hit a flying mosquito using a hammer." Can you swing a hammer at 140 m /sec ~ 500 km/hr (ant's velocity at the ground level)? bugs get smashed on a car's windshield going at 100 km/hr, so there's nothing going to be left of that ant when it hits the ground at 5x that speed!
2007-02-18 07:54:09 · answer #3 · answered by Esse Est Percipi 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the ant wont feel a thing-its like trying to hit a flying mosquito using a hammer!since the ant is so tiny it has negligible mass thus it will hit the ground will very little momentum
2007-02-18 07:59:50 · answer #4 · answered by skimmer 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think the falling ant will not die. Because of its own air-drag produced & maintained by the air-pockets inside its mess of limbs, I think (but not sure) its falling velocity may not be great.
2007-02-18 10:02:31 · answer #5 · answered by chandro 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
not if he has a parachute!
2007-02-18 08:15:32 · answer #6 · answered by Gruntled Employee 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋