Scientistshavebeenpuzzledbythephenomenonthatmigratingbirdsflynotjustingroupsallthetimebutin"V"formationsandtheyhavetriedtofigureoutwhatbenefitbirdsgetfromthisparticularformation.NowaresearchgroupfromUniversityofLondonmayhavefoundtheanswer―migratingbirdsflyina"V"tosaveenergyaccordingtoastudypublishedinthejournalNature.
Whenabirdflaps(振翅)itswingsitstirstheairarounditandcausesittomoveindifferentdirections.Scientistfoundinthestudythattheaircreatesanupward-movingwaveatthetipsofthewingswhichmeansthatifabirdfliesaroundthewingtipsofanotherbirditcangetaboost(抬高)fromtherisingairandthereforeuselessenergytostayintheair.
Apartformthe"freeride"strategyscientistswerealsosurprisedtoobservethatmigratingbirdstimedtheirwingbeatsandadjustedtheirpositionsinaveryprecisewaytomaximizetheliftingeffectwhileavoidingareaswheretheairmovedownward.
"They'reabletosensewhat'sgoingonfromthebirdinfrontwherethis'goodair'iscomingfromandnowhowtopositionthemselvesperfectlyinit"leadresearcherStevenPortugaltoldBBC.
Infactthe"V"formationhaslongthoughttohelpbirdsflymoreefficiently(效率搞地).Apreviousstudyshowedthatbirds'heartrateswentdownwhentheywereflyingtogetherina"V"formation.Jetfighterswerealsofoundtobeablereducetheirenergyusebyupto18%bystayingnearthewingtipsofotherjetfighters.Bothofthesefindingsledscientiststosuspectthatthe"V"formationhadanefficiencypurposebutuntilnowtheystilllackproof.
"Forscientiststhenewstudyprovidesaninsightintoaninterestingnaturalphenomenon.Butitcouldmeanevenmoreforaircraftcompanies—helpingthemunderstandhowtheycanimitatethatwiththeirplaneformationstosavefuelsaidPortugal."
小题1:Whatistheauthor'spurposeinwritingthisarticle?
邮箱:联系方式: