Compare the power at which each of the following is moving upwards against the force of gravity? (given g = 10 m s–2)
(i) a butterfly of mass 1.0 g that flies upward at a rate of 0.5 m s–1.
(ii) a 250 g squirrel climbing up on a tree at a rate of 0.5 m s–1.
(i) Mass of butterfly = 1 g = 1/1000
velocity= 0.5 m/s
Power = mg × velocity, g = 10 m s–2
(ii) Mass of squirrel = 250 g = 250/1000
velocity= 0.5 m/s
Power = mg × velocity, g = 10 m s–2
Hence, the power with which the squirrel is climbing is much higher than that of a butterfly flying.