Modelling Motion Flashcards
Two key benefits of using models in scientific research
1) They allow investigation of unobservable phenomena
2) enable controlled manipulation of variables to study system behaviour
How did MacNeill Alexander estimate dinosaur mass using physical models
He dunked scale toy dinosaurs in water and scaled the volume of displaced water to estimate body mass
Why are physical models useful for studying animal movement through fluids
Fluid dynamics are complex and hard to stimulate, physical models in water flumes or wind tunnels provide controlled environments
How did researchers study Microraptord flight capabilities
Placing a physical models in a wind tunnel and measuring forces on its wings and tail under different postures
How did Crofts and Summers control variables in their durophagy study
By 3D printing identical shells and using tooth models of varying shapes to crush them
What’s an inverted pendulum model used for
Modelling the mechanics of bipedal walking
What’s a spring-mass model used for
Modelling running by incorporating elastic deformation
Eg leg bending and energy storing
What’s FEA (finite element analysis)
A technique that breaks complex objects into small sinple elements to analyse internal stresses under force
How is FEA applied to animal biomechanics
Models bone strength and stress distribution during behaviour like biting. Often using 3D scans of skulls
What’s MBD (multi body dynamics)
A method that models how bones move dynamically in relation to one antoeher
What is CFD (computational fluid dynamics)
A method of simulating fluid flow over objects using the Navier stokes equations
What are biological examples of CFD application
Blood flow in hearts
Dolphin hydrodynamics
Hummingbird aerodynamics
What can DEM (discrete element method) tell us about fossilised footprints
Reveals the sequence of foot movements and sediment interactions that created layered impressions
What are boids
A model simulating flocking behaviour using three rules
Separation
Alignment
Cohesion
What does the boids model demonstrate about animal behaviour
Complex group behaviours can emerge from simple individual rules
