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Physics Show-and-Tell: Physics behind Cheetahs Running

Physics Show-and-Tell: Physics behind Cheetahs Running. Wu Fan (24) S1-13. General Information. Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) ... extremely speedy big cats relation: leopards, panthers, etc. hunting behaviour: chases prey in day, no stalking at night

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Physics Show-and-Tell: Physics behind Cheetahs Running

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  1. Physics Show-and-Tell:Physics behind Cheetahs Running Wu Fan (24) S1-13

  2. General Information Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)... extremely speedy big cats relation: leopards, panthers, etc. hunting behaviour: chases prey in day, no stalking at night habitats: Serengeti, Masai Mara, savannahs, scrublands Statistics: Cheetahs: 50% successes Leopards: 40% successes Lions: 30% successes Unparallel velocity... Unrivalled speed... Lore of the Cheetahs: High killing rate=Efficiency Superlative running skills... Trivia: Cheetah: Sanskrit word citrakāyaḥ for “variegated”. Acinonyx:Greek for "no-move-claw“.

  3. Speed & Stride • Fastest sprinter of the animal kingdom: • Chase down their main prey: gazelles • Highest record: • 100m in 3.13 sec • Acceleration: • 0-70 mph in 3 sec • 0-40 mph in 3 strides • Big stride: • 25 feet • 3 strides per sec • One feet touches ground • Airbound 75% of the time when running • Reduce contact with the groundless frictionrun faster • Changing direction: • Split second decision • Avoid obstacles Lore of the Cheetahs: Speed=Survival

  4. Video Time! • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRxsP2YMaOI&feature=player_embedded

  5. So... What makes them run so fast? slender body, small head, flattened rib cage and thin legsminimize air resistance extra flexible spineadds 30 inches to total stride stores EPEback legs extend further loose head and shoulder jointsextended reach Trivia: Cheetahs have the smallest head among the cats!

  6. So... What makes them run so fast? long tailact as rudder and counterweightstability and controlprevents high-speed rollovers long, muscular legs (fast twitching fibres)move quicklybroad swing rangepropel body forward Glycogenlactic acid non-retractable claws & rigid foot padsgrip the groundbetter traction Trivia: They have the longest, thinnest legs among the cat family!

  7. So... What makes them run so fast? small jawsextra large nasal passagesfast and deep intake of oxygen huge lungs & powerful heartefficient respirationburn more energy through respiration for running. ENERGETICS light boneslightweight (125 pounds)less weight to carry & less forces acting on it

  8. Other contributing factors to success Binocular vision & black facial markingsfocus clearly on moving prey Hunting in the day minimised competition

  9. DisadvantagesThe cheetah’s incredible speed comes with a price... Inability to defend oneself: • Bodies built for speed, not power • Weak jaws and teeth • Cheetah-125 pounds VS lion-400 pounds o.O||* Risk of death: • A lot of energy used to run fast • Energy burns out quickly • Can only run continuously for about 300 yards • Heart rate and body temperature (63°C) increases extremely quickly • Severe brain damage might occur • Must rest for about 20 minutes LOCOMOTION

  10. References • http://animal.discovery.com/mammals/cheetah/ • http://animal.discovery.com/videos/survival-guide-serengeti-cheetah-hunting.html • http://animal.discovery.com/videos/survival-guide-serengeti-cheetah-spine-tail.html • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRxsP2YMaOI&feature=player_embedded • http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/zoology/mammals/cheetah-speed1.htm • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_locomotion • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheetah • http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/09/10/Cincinnati-cheetah-worlds-fastest-animal/UPI-46261252606460/ • http://www.extremescience.com/cheetah.htm • Google Images • Personal knowledge

  11. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

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