3 ms·
> Where is the quadratic part of the equation that limits the maximum size of a whale? Muscle power output increases with cross section area, ~L^2, not with vo
by Qem 7mo ago
> Where is the quadratic part of the equation that limits the maximum size of a whale?
Muscle power output increases with cross section area, ~L^2, not with volume. The heart have no separate power unit. It relies on the same muscle walls that comprise its chambers to power itself.
- fluoridation 7mo agoThat just means the walls of the heart would need to grow thicker. Are they at the limit already?
- Qem 7mo agoWall thickness increasing by x increases cross section/power by x^2, but also increases chamber volume/workload by x^3. So workload outruns available power. It's because of this people abusing steroids get heart failure eventually.
- fluoridation 7mo ago>chamber volume/workload by x^3. So workload outruns available power. What do you mean by workload? Are you referring to the oxygen cost per stroke, or what?
- Qem 7mo agoPower demand. Volume pumped each cycle * (systolic pressure - diastolic pressure) / time.
- fluoridation 7mo agoMate, I have no idea what you're saying, or how it's a constraint on size.