Dr. Roy

[crafty_50mitchell]

Hey Dr. C, I was wondering if you would post a brief description regarding the mantis smasher strike and cavitation, Ive become very interested in this topic recently. If you have the time, I (and others Im sure) would appreciate it, if not it's understood.
Thanks for your time and effort on the board.
Brian

 

[Gonodactylus]

Brian,

As the dactyl accelerates and reaches the target, it is moving at very high speed. Just before contact, water is forced from between the two surfaces. This creates areas of such low pressure that the water vaporizes and bubbles form. However, as they move away from the point of impact, they collapse releasing tremendous amounts of energy including light. We theorize that this release of energy helps break the surface of the snail shell or whatever the animal is striking. This is basically the same system that operates when a snapping shrimp snaps producing a high velocity jet of water that causes reduced pressure, bubble formation and collapse.

Roy

 

[Gonodactylus]

Brian,

Here is a web site that discusses the physics of cavitation in snapping shrimp.

Roy

http://fdweb.tn.utwente.nl/shrimp/physics.html

 

[crafty_50mitchell]

Dr.Roy,

Just a quick response (on my way out):Thanks for the link, very interesting.
Brian