Effect of changing gravity on flying animals

In summary, increased gravity would result in a variety of positive and negative effects on flying creatures. Creatures that are heavier or have more mass would experience a stronger gravitational force, which could lead to them becoming heavier or even unable to fly if the gravity became too strong. Climate change, evolution, and comparison to sea creatures would be long-term effects that would be difficult to predict. Although gravity can be changed, the effect on flying creatures is difficult to predict.
  • #1
Loren Booda
3,125
4
How would the ability to fly differ if the Earth's gravitational field were to change significantly?

Parameters of interest may include: weight, air density, air viscosity, climate change, evolution of flying creatures, comparison to sea creatures.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Loren Booda said:
How would the ability to fly differ if the Earth's gravitational field were to change significantly?

Parameters of interest may include: weight, air density, air viscosity, climate change, evolution of flying creatures, comparison to sea creatures.
Start with creature weight air pressure and density. How would they change if gravity increased or decreased signficantly?

AM
 
  • #3
Why don't you offer us your thoughts so far, and we'll help you out.
 
  • #4
How would the ability to fly differ if the Earth's gravitational field were to change significantly?

This question seems trivial to me. You can change the magnitude of gravity, but that's about it. Our abilitiy to model motion in gravity is due mainly to the fact that it is a (on the macroscale) uniform field that points towards the center of the earth. If you change this inherent property of gravity, none of the equations of motion apply, and you would have to perform some type of computer analysis to model each senario.

Your paramaters of interest are not in relation to gravity.
 
  • #5
Surely this context-rich open-ended scenario
isn't an introductory physics homework question!

Lift is obtained by momentum transfer rate to wing area.

We know that the atmospheric pressure is proportional to "g",
and proportional to the amount of gas (N molecules) in the atmosphere.
The amount of gas retained by Earth depends slightly on "g".
 
  • #6
I was surprised (and disappointed) that my post was placed by the PF elite in "introductory" physics. I don't even know how to access that forum from the home page.

An increase in gravity should increase the absolute weight of objects, increase the density and viscosity of air. Think in terms of their effects on an airfoil.

Climate change, evolution of flying creatures, and comparison to sea creatures would be more long term subjects for speculation.
 
  • #7
Yeah, I don't think this is HW either. Looks like a nice discussion topic.
 
  • #8
I think you would have to specify on what scale the change is. Are we talking a percentage or orders of magnitude change?

It's going to be tricky to deduce what the overall effect would be. Looking at things independent from each other:

Increased gravity = increased air density (lift improves)
Increased gravity = increased weight of object (lift degrades)
Increased gravity = increased air pressure (lift improves)
Increased gravity = increased air temperature (lift degrades)
Increased gravity = increased air viscocity (? I am siding with lift improves but that really depends)
Increased gravity = increased humidity (lift degrades)

I'm not quite sure where it would all come out in the wash. Good question.
 
  • #9
So say this was another Earth-like planet with an atmosphere of mix of oxygen and some other gas, and the mass of the planet was different, right? What is the n-dimensional formula for obtaining ideal conditions for life to be able to evolve on such a planet?

Lets say all variables were functions of gravity - atmosphere retention, chemical bounding, and an independent variable such as the type of available organic or otherwise matter (water, ammonia, acids, alkali, etc). Do we currently as humans have the capability to solve such question, drawing information from biology, physics, and chemistry?

I guess the next question and a more advanced one would be.. what is the range of possible evolutions such a creature may undergo?
 
  • #10
One might expect that a stronger gravity would increase the selection pressure towards light wings (porous bone structure, for example).

On Earth, a large glider bird like the albatross has extremely light wings relatively to wing length (the bone structure is very porous).
If the gravity becomes too strong, I'd assume large birds like the albatross will not be able to evolve.
 

1. How does changing gravity affect the flight of birds?

Changing gravity can significantly impact the flight of birds. In higher gravity environments, birds would have to flap their wings harder and more frequently to maintain lift and stay in the air. In contrast, lower gravity environments would require less effort from birds to fly, potentially resulting in longer and more graceful flights. However, birds are highly adaptable and can adjust their flying techniques to accommodate different gravity levels.

2. Can birds fly in zero gravity environments?

In theory, birds would not be able to fly in a zero gravity environment as there would be no force of gravity pulling them towards the ground. Without gravity, there would be no weight to provide the necessary downward force for birds to push against and generate lift. However, some types of birds, such as hummingbirds, are known to hover in place, which could potentially be replicated in a zero gravity environment.

3. How would changing gravity affect the anatomy of flying animals?

Changing gravity could have significant effects on the anatomy of flying animals. In higher gravity environments, animals may evolve to have larger and stronger wings to compensate for the increased force needed to fly. In contrast, in lower gravity environments, animals may develop smaller and more delicate wings as they require less force to fly. Changing gravity could also impact the size and shape of other body parts, such as bones and muscles, which are essential for flying.

4. Would animals from Earth be able to fly on other planets with different gravity levels?

The ability of animals to fly on other planets would depend on various factors, such as the strength of gravity and the atmospheric conditions. Animals from Earth would likely struggle to fly on planets with significantly higher gravity levels, but they may have an advantage on planets with lower gravity levels. However, it is also possible that animals would need to adapt and evolve to survive and fly on other planets.

5. How would changing gravity affect the behavior of flying animals?

Changing gravity could have a significant impact on the behavior of flying animals. In higher gravity environments, animals may need to spend more time and energy flying, leaving less time for other activities such as feeding and mating. In contrast, lower gravity environments may allow for more leisurely flights and potentially more time for other behaviors. Additionally, animals may need to change their flying behaviors and techniques to adapt to different gravity levels.

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
21
Views
2K
Replies
22
Views
659
  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Media
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
5
Views
350
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
3
Replies
87
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Classical Physics
Replies
30
Views
3K
Back
Top