Why does the eel use electric current? Electric eel - a dangerous miracle of nature
The largest motorcycle in the world August 15th, 2017
You can't call him a motorcycle monster. , and now just look at the largest operating motorcycle.
The motorcycle, weighing up to 5 tons, created by Italian designer Fabio Reggiani, is 6 times larger than a regular motorcycle, and its height reaches 5.10 meters from the ground to the top of the handlebars. It was collected by 7 people over 7 months. The motorcycle is equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 280 horsepower. The motorcycle can ride on two wheels, but Fabio added a few extra ones for stability.
Video under the cut:
For a long time, the Gunbus 410 of the German Clemens Leonard was considered the “king” of all motorcycles. In 2013, representatives of the Guinness Book of Records recorded a change of “master of the throne” to the kingdom of two-wheelers.
Fabio Reggiani is 32 years old and lives in the Italian city of Reggio Emilia. It took Fabio and his team seven months to build this giant motorcycle. He was helped by a team of eight people, and together they rolled their giant miracle through the streets of their hometown.
The motorcycle looks really convincing - its wheels are taller than the average man's height, and holding the steering wheel, of course, is out of the question - its reach is too gigantic, and it is simply inaccessible to and in relation to the saddle.
By the way, for stabilization, Fabio attached two additional small wheels to the rear wheel - they keep this rather decorative motorcycle in balance.
The frame of the giant motorcycle is painted red, and the T-shirts of the presentation participants were of the same color.
By the way, Fabio is very proud of his motorcycle and exclamations like ‘O mamma mia come è grande!!!’ (Oh, Mama Mia, how huge it is!!!) never cease to flatter him in a good way.
By the way, in order to record an official record, representatives of the Guinness Book of Books required applicants to drive their vehicle independently for at least 100 meters. It was not difficult, and after Fabio Reggiani's motorcycle crossed the finish line, the previous record - a 6-meter long and 3-meter high motorcycle - went down in history, giving way to a new giant.
‘Now that we have become Guinness Book record holders, we can consider the mission accomplished,’ an excited Fabio told reporters.
Even the most accurate measurements may contain hypothetical errors. It can be minuscule and in practical terms completely unimportant, but nevertheless its existence will be known, which can be a serious obstacle for idealists.
We all understand that technology loves precision. It is required for technical calculations Vehicle and during their production. Equally important is accuracy in providing technical characteristics what are the dimensions of the car: how much does it weigh, what is its power and torque. It is with the latter that problems most often arise.
Very often, if not always, the power declared by the auto-motor manufacturer is strikingly (or more precisely, the one that is measured on the dyno), and in the direction of overestimating the former. It may seem that selfish manufacturers are trying to inflate numbers in order to increase the value of their equipment compared to competitors. But in reality this is not the case. It's just that there are so many variables taken into account when conducting factory testing that it is very difficult to track all of them on a conventional dyno, or it is simply not able to show them.
One of the many American automotive sites conducted its research on a motorcycle power dynamometer in 2015, based on which it concluded that there was an approximate discrepancy between its measurements and factory capacities. Next, they compiled a rating of ten of the past year.
Before diving into the final list, it's worth making a quick footnote.
The figures presented are typical for models created for the American market. In European and even more so Japanese models power may vary slightly.
Power has been measured based on independent tests.
10. Yamaha R1 and R1M - 186.4 hp at 12,000 rpm
Just a few months ago, “only” 179 hp was required to make this list. Then the entry, 10th place was occupied by Motus MST-R. Times have changed! Now the minimum for the top is 186 hp. and it has the Yamaha R1, leaving behind the Motus and moving down the specification of the 2015 Aprilia RSV4 and the old 1199 Ducati Panigale (which tests showed 181 hp). The experienced fighter GSX-R1000 with its 182.4 hp could not stand the competition either.
Given a huge investment, they could hope for a higher figure than this.
9. BMW S1000RR - 190.4 hp at 12,500 rpm
Until recently, the previous HP4 model (derived from the S1000RR) could only be content with last place tables. The new basic road version of 2015 has been tightened up, its capabilities have increased to 190 hp. It is noteworthy that the year before last, sportsbikes with a similar rating could count on sixth place. It's about how fast engine technology is moving forward. internal combustion new generations.
8. Suzuki Hayabusa - 194.4 hp at 9,500 rpm
Just as Americans are accustomed to powerful V8 engines in their cars, the Suzuki Hayabusa has become accustomed to extracting its horsepower from a 1,300 cc engine. “An old horse won’t spoil the furrow,” he says old saying. This saying can be applied to Hayabusa this time too. The old man is still giving off heat! Measurements on the dino showed a result very close to 200 hp, which was only 5.6 “horses” short of that.
Such power directly indicates that the engines that were originally used on the Hayabusa were long ahead of their time. Without major modifications, Japanese engineers manage to steadily increase the power of their superbike.
7. Ducati 1199 Panigale R and Superleggera - 194.4 hp at 11,250 rpm
The old 1199 Panigale may have left the list, but the R version made for homologation remains on the list, along with the super-expensive Superleggera, which shares the same engine specification. Same power as a V-Twin Hayabusa, but 100 cc less, a remarkable achievement.
6. Ducati 1299 Panigale and Panigale S - 194.4 hp at 10,500 rpm
Look what some 100 cubes can do. Past basic model The 1199 Panigale developed “only” 181 hp, in 2015 a few additional cubes raise the power to 194.4 hp. With the increased volume, the speed at which 750 rpm was reached decreased compared to the same figures for the Superleggera or R version.
5. MV Agusta F4, F4R, F4RR and F4RC - 197.1 hp at 13,600 rpm
We have to admire MV Agusta's achievement in making the F4 engine so amazingly powerful. Without three horses, 200 horsepower! And all this despite the fact that we have just a 998 cc basic design, which, by the way, can hardly be called the latest. In 2016, it should be replaced by a completely new four-cylinder engine. What does it mean? We are confident that Agusta will be able to overcome the power mark of 200 hp. for its sports line.
4. Kawasaki Ninja H2 - 197.1 hp at 11,000 rpm
The power of the Kawasaki H2, as it turned out, exactly corresponded to the 197 hp declared by the manufacturer. Track H2R showed how much when it does not have to satisfy restrictions environmental emissions. However, such a motorcycle will not be released on the road. But the H2 is environmentally friendly; it is one of the greenest sportbikes on the market. And at the same time one of the most powerful.
3. Yamaha V-Max - 197.4 hp at 9,000 rpm
Another legend, V-Max. Despite its very strange roots, in the intricacies of which obvious signs of incest are visible, the model shows good results time after time. Its huge 1.679 cc engine easily produces 197.4 hp. at 9,000 rpm. The Americans obtained such indicators during their measurements. In terms of torque, this 1.6 liter is head and shoulders above all its rivals.
The only negative of the V-Max is logical - it is excessively heavy.
2. Aprilia RSV4 RR, RSV4 RF (model 2016) - 198.5 hp. at 13,000 rpm
Second place. The compiled list clearly shows how difficult it is for motorcycle manufacturers to cross the threshold of 200 hp. How difficult a task this is.
More recently, Aprilia had a modest 181 hp, but the latest tuning for the 2016 model year makes a major improvement. The result is 198.5 hp, the most powerful production liter currently sold in America.
It's surprising why so few people buy such a technological masterpiece.
1. Kawasaki ZX-14R (ZZR1400) - 207.9 hp at 10,000 rpm
It was number one last time and remains so to this day. This did not cause any particular problems for the ZX-14R; 2016 will show whether the hegemony will continue in the future.
The ZX-14R, known as the ZZR1400 in Europe, may be a throwback in terms of war thinking maximum speeds Blackbird/Busa/ZX-12R, turn of the millennium, but there is no doubt about its effectiveness.
Power is not the most important thing in a motorcycle. So it is quite possible that the most impressive of all may not show the most impressive results on the track. However, an additional 10 horses can always be useful on straight sections, where it would be difficult to find equal to the ZX-14R.
Well, it goes without saying that Kawasaki owners are the only ones who can officially say that they own a production bike with more than 200 hp. As they say, it’s a small thing, but it’s nice!
Electric eel is the only representative of the genus of electrophores. The fish with the body of a snake is the same Electrophorus electricus. This fish lives in South America, preferring mainly muddy water Amazon and Orinoco. The electric eel is found in stagnant, shallow water with low oxygen levels.
Description of the electric eel
The electric eel has quite big sizes – average length the body is 2-2.5 meters, and some individuals reach 3 meters.
Electric eels weigh about 40 kilograms. The body shape is snake-like and the body is slightly compressed on the sides. The head is flat.
It is noteworthy that the electric eel completely lacks scales. Chest and caudal fins the eel's are very well developed, with their help the fish swims well and can move in different sides. The color is camouflage gray-brown, it helps during hunting. The color of the head may differ from the general color and have an orange tint.
The unique feature of the electric eel
The name emphasizes the uniqueness of this fish; it is capable of generating electricity. The body of the electric eel is covered with special cells that are connected by nerve canals.
At the very beginning of the body the electrical discharge is weak, but towards the tail it becomes stronger. The electric eel's current is deadly not only for small fish, but also great opponents.
The power of the electrical impulse of this fish is on average 350 V. For people, such an electric shock is not fatal, but it can stun or cause loss of consciousness, so you should stay away from the electric eel.
The electric eel's mouth has unique vascular tissue, so it must sometimes rise to the surface to take a breath of air. It can remain on the surface for more than 10 minutes, while no other species of fish remains in the air for more than 30 seconds.
Electric eel hunting
This predator attacks suddenly; it does not give in even to large victims. If there is any living creature near the eel, it shakes its body, as a result of which a charge with a power of 300-350 V is formed, which instantly kills the prey located nearby, as a rule, this small fish.
When the paralyzed prey sinks to the bottom, the electric eel slowly approaches it and swallows it whole. After eating food, he rests for several minutes, digesting it.
Reproduction of electric eels
Very little is known about the reproduction of these fish. Scientists still don't fully know life cycle electric eel. It is known that at certain times eels swim away to hard-to-reach places, and they appear together with their grown-up offspring.
Some scientists believe that male electric eels make a nest out of saliva, and the female lays eggs in this nest. Approximately 17 thousand small fish emerge from one clutch. Individuals that are born first most often eat the rest of the eggs from the clutch.
Science does not know how the fertilization process occurs, where the young animals develop and what the babies eat. But it is clear that an electric eel with a body length of 10-12 centimeters is considered an adult.
Interesting facts about electric eels
The vision of these fish is extremely poor; it is believed that with age they are generally unable to see, and they are active mainly at night. They receive information about nearby obstacles using locators with low-frequency waves;
The electric eel has nothing in common with the common eel. The electric eel is a member of the class of ray-finned fish;
The electric eel has short teeth, so it does not chew its food, but swallows it completely;
Predatory eels eat not only small fish, but also amphibians, birds, crustaceans and small mammals;
With the help of electrical charges, individuals communicate with each other;
If you take a young electric eel, you can feel a slight tingling sensation;
Information about these fish first appeared in the 17th century. Then they were considered unknown creatures Antillean Sea. But 100 years later, Alexander von Humboldt made a description of the electric eel.
Life of electric eels in an aquarium
Unfortunately, the proximity of other eels and other types of fish will not work, since the neighbors are unlikely to be able to tolerate the electrical discharges emitted by the eel. When the eel is just swimming, it emits discharges with a power of 10-15 V, which act as electro-navigation, but when the prey approaches it, the signal power becomes much stronger.
Aeration is not necessary in the electric eel's home. The water temperature should not fall below 25 degrees, acidity is maintained within 7-8, and hardness 11-13 degrees. Electric eels do not tolerate frequent changes of water. It is believed that these fish create their own microclimate, accumulating antimicrobial substances that prevent them from getting sick, and if the water is changed too often, ulcers begin to develop on the surface of the eel’s body.
A sandy substrate is created at the bottom of the reservoir, and some pebbles are also allowed. The amount of vegetation in an electric eel aquarium should be moderate, and there should also be driftwood, rocks and caves.
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Among the few representatives of the animal world there are owners amazing ability generate and store electricity. One of them is the electric eel (Electrophorus electricus).
This amazing fish lives in small rivers in the north South America, as well as in the lower and middle region Amazon basin. Although the electric eel lives in water like a fish, the structure of its body forces it to breathe atmospheric air. He receives each portion of air, rising upward, approximately once every 15 minutes. Simply put, he can drown if he fails to surface in time. This ability to breathe air allows the eel to leave water bodies for several hours.
But the most amazing quality of this fish is still considered its ability to generate electricity. Since water is an excellent conductor, it is noteworthy that the eel itself does not suffer from electrical discharges. How does this happen?
The eel has unique organs that resemble battery banks in structure. They occupy about 40% of his body. Each current-producing cell contains within itself a small amount of negatively charged ions, while the ions outside the cell are positively charged.
Naturally, such electric potential negligibly small. But when the number of such cells is from 6 to 10 thousand in one chain, the voltage can reach 500 volts! There are about 700 such parallel-connected chains on each side of the eel’s body. Their total discharge is approximately 1 ampere!
Such a shock of electricity can knock down a horse, paralyze for several hours, and even kill a person, but does not harm the eel itself. This is due to the fact that two small membranes provide the opportunity for discharge. The eel's skin has insulating properties, and the electrical cells are connected only to each other, and are isolated from other parts of the body.
Electricity serves several functions for the eel. This is both protection and a means of hunting, and is also used for navigation. The eel is not capable for a long time stably generate electricity. Each time the discharges become weaker. It will take several hours to restore them to full capacity.
Resourceful local residents Eel is considered a delicacy. But catching eels is deadly! Fishermen have noticed that cows “tolerate” the protection of electric fish, so they are used to forcibly “discharge water batteries.” The horned “invaders” are driven into the river, and the eels, defending the territory, attack the aliens. When the cows stop mooing and rushing about in fear, they are driven ashore. Then the angry but harmless eels are caught with nets.
Length from 1 to 3 m, weight up to 40 kg. The electric eel has bare skin, without scales, and the body is very elongated, rounded in the front and somewhat compressed laterally in the back. The color of adult electric eels is olive-brown, the underside of the head and throat is bright orange, the edge anal fin fair, eyes emerald green.
It is interesting that the electric eel develops special areas of vascular tissue in the oral cavity, which allow it to absorb oxygen directly from atmospheric air. To capture a new portion of air, the eel must rise to the surface of the water along at least once every fifteen minutes, but usually he does this a little more often. If the fish is deprived of this opportunity, it will die. The electric eel's ability to use atmospheric oxygen to breathe allows it to remain out of water for several hours, but only if its body and mouth remain moist. This feature ensures increased survival of eels in unfavorable living conditions.
Almost nothing is known about the reproduction of electric eels. Electric eels do well in captivity and often decorate large public aquariums. This fish is dangerous if you come into direct contact with it.
An interesting thing about the structure of electric eels are the electric organs, which occupy more than 2/3 of the body length. Generates a discharge with a voltage of up to 1300 V and a current of up to 1 A. The positive charge is in the front of the body, the negative charge is in the back. Electric organs are used by the eel to protect against enemies and to paralyze prey, which consists mainly of small fish. There is also an additional electric organ that plays the role of a locator. It is not dangerous for humans, but if it receives an electric shock it will be very painful.
Notes
Links
Categories:
- Animals in alphabetical order
- Species out of danger
- Gymnotiiformes
- Electric fish
- Animals described in 1766
- Fishes of South America
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See what “Electric eel” is in other dictionaries: electric eel - Electric eel. electric eel (Electrophorus electricus), fish of the electric eel family. Endemic to South America. The body is elongated (about 2 m), weighs up to 20 kg, there are no dorsal or ventral fins. The color on top is olive green with light... ... Encyclopedic reference book
"Latin America" Fish of the order Cyprinidae. The only kind families. Has electrical organs occupying approx. 4/5 body length. Gives a discharge of up to 650 V (usually less). Length from 1 to 3 m, weighs up to 40 kg. In the Amazon and Orinoco rivers. Local fishery object... ... Big
encyclopedic Dictionary Fish of the order Cyprinidae. The only species of the family. Has electrical organs occupying about 4/5 of the body length. They give a discharge of up to 650 V (usually less). Length from 1 to 3 m, weight up to 40 kg. Inhabits the Amazon and Orinoco rivers. Local object... ...
encyclopedic Dictionary GYMNOT OR ELECTRIC EEL bony fish from the family acne; water in America; has the ability to produce strong electricity. blows. Dictionary of foreign words included in the Russian language. Pavlenkov F., 1907. HYMNOT or ELECTRIC EEL... ...
Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language - (Electrophorus electricus) fish of the Electrophoridae family of the order Cypriniformes. Lives in fresh waters Central and South America. The body is naked, up to 3 m long. Weighs up to 40 kg. Electric organs are located along the sides. Dorsal...
Fish neg. carp-like. unity family species. Has electric organs occupying approx. 4/5 body length. They give a discharge of up to 650 V (usually less). Dl. from 1 to 3 m, weight up to 40 kg. Lives in pp. Amazon and Orinoco. Local fishery object. Lab... ... Natural science. encyclopedic Dictionary
See what “Electric eel” is in other dictionaries:- elektrinis ungurys statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Electrophorus electricus English. electric eel rus. electric eel ryšiai: platesnis terminas – elektriniai unguriai… Žuvų pavadinimų žodynas
See Electric Fish... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Ephron
Electric catfish ... Wikipedia
ELECTRICAL, electrical, electrical. 1. adj. to electricity. Electricity. Electric Energy. Electric charge. Electric discharge. || Exciting, producing electricity. Electric machine. Electrical station... ... Dictionary Ushakova
Books
- Spark of life. Electricity in the Human Body, Francis Ashcroft. Everyone knows that electricity powers machines, but it is much less known that the same can be said about ourselves. The ability to read and understand what is written, see and hear, think...