Question

If we throw an elephant from the top of a tower, it explodes when it hits the ground. But when we throw an ant, it simply touches the ground and is alive (nothing happens). Why?

a) Due to the size and weight difference
b) Ants have a natural ability to survive falls
c) Air resistance acting on the ant
d) Elephant's terminal velocity is higher than the ant's

Answer 1

The difference in size and weight between an elephant and an ant is the reason why the elephant explodes when it hits the ground while the ant survives. The ant experiences much more air resistance compared to the driving force, whereas the elephant's larger size results in less air resistance and a higher terminal velocity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reason an elephant explodes when it hits the ground while an ant does not is due to the size and weight difference between the two animals. When an object falls, it experiences a force called gravity, which is the same for both the elephant and the ant. However, the air resistance acting on the ant is relatively ten times greater than the driving force, which means the ant experiences a significant amount of air resistance. On the other hand, the elephant's much larger surface area results in less air resistance, allowing it to reach a higher terminal velocity and hit the ground with a larger force, causing it to explode.