Mathematicians at NYU proposed a simple model to explain how flocks of birds and schools of fish move together. The work builds on earlier findings from NYU’s Applied Mathematics Laboratory and appears in the journal Physical Review Fluids.
The team compared the groups to a soft crystalline material in which each animal acts like an atom in a regular lattice. Individuals keep roughly even spacing and are held by flexible, spring-like bonds. These formations can be fragile but respond quickly to changes in air or water flow or to nearby objects.
To test the idea, the researchers used mechanized flappers with 3D-printed plastic wings in water. The mock flock moved at different speeds and matched the predictions of the model. The study could help fields such as aerospace, automotive engineering, robotics and energy harvesting.
Difficult words
- lattice — regular pattern of points or parts
- bond — connection that holds parts togetherbonds
- fragile — easy to break or damage
- mechanize — made to work by machinesmechanized
- prediction — a statement about what will happenpredictions
- harvest — collecting useful energy from the environmentharvesting
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever seen birds or fish move together? Describe what you saw.
- How could studying animal groups help technologies like robots or cars?
- Why might flexible, spring-like bonds be useful for a flock or school?
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