Hard heads?

[Hedera]

Why don't bumblebees etc. knock themselves out? I've had one hit the patio window several times really hard and it still flies off.

[Jenny W]

Physics!

The energy in a collision is mass multiplied by momentum. As there is a very small amount of mass and a very small amount of momentum in the collision, then the energy produced is also minute - meaning there is little damage to the parties involved (or something along those lines! - A-level Physics was done a long time ago).

Also insects have a hard exoskeleton which will help in damage limitation.

[Hedera]

Thanks Jenny. As it happened so often it made me think. I had a bluetit do the same thing and it got knocked out, but luckily recovered. Larger mass.

[ron1863]

Originally Posted by Jenny W

Physics!

The energy in a collision is mass multiplied by momentum. As there is a very small amount of mass and a very small amount of momentum in the collision, then the energy produced is also minute - meaning there is little damage to the parties involved (or something along those lines! - A-level Physics was done a long time ago).

Also insects have a hard exoskeleton which will help in damage limitation.

Years ago, when I used to have motor bikes (before compulsory helmets) I used to get hit in the face with bees, wasps etc. It felt like getting hit with a stone, mind you I would probably be exceeding the speed limit and the poor bee probably only doing a few miles an hour I used to have lumps on my forehead.