How Can Ants Fall to Death?
WouterWhether ants fall to death or not depends on two factors. The first is their mass, and the second is the type of surface they hit. For example, ants may be more likely to be injured on a rough surface than a smooth one.
Mass is important because it determines the amount of hurt a falling object will take. For example, a man weighing 180 pounds will take out only about a third of his body weight in energy. But, an ant weighing 0.3 grams will take out only about a tenth of his body weight.
A falling object is also affected by air resistance. The more air resistance there is, the slower an object falls. In fact, most insects have higher air resistance than most creatures. In this case, an ant falling from a building would reach terminal velocity 3.9 mph.
In addition to its small size and negligible mass, an ant also has a sturdy body and an exoskeleton. The exoskeleton is made of chitin, which is a tough substance. In fact, ants’ exoskeletons are very strong and are capable of lifting huge loads. The chitin exoskeleton is also designed to withstand the impact of a fall.
The exoskeleton also helps the ant to remain alive. This is why ants have an exoskeleton surrounded by several layers. In addition, the exoskeleton is deformable and able to protect the ant’s body from damage. In other words, it does its job like an armour.
