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> Galileo observed that small animals like cats can survive falls much better than large animals like horses even over a couple of meters. The thing is that a
by dandare 9y ago
> Galileo observed that small animals like cats can survive falls much better than large animals like horses even over a couple of meters. The thing is that a things strength increases in proportion to its cross section but its weight increases as its volume
Does the principle have a name? I always felt this in the back of my had but never formulated it, I find it extremely interesting that Galileo wrote about it.
- turok 9y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square%E2%80%93cube_law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square%E2%80%93cube_law I think this is what you are referring to, the square cube law.
- Terr_ 9y agoTurok already answered, but you might enjoy this classic "On being the right size." Money quote: "A horse splashes." https://irl.cs.ucla.edu/papers/right-size.html https://irl.cs.ucla.edu/papers/right-size.html
- dandare 9y agoThis is fantastic.