Newton’s Third Law of Motion, which states that every action in the natural world has an equal and opposite reaction, is a fundamental principle of physics. However, there is an intriguing exception to this law within our own bodies.
Scientists have discovered that human sperm cells defy Newton’s Third Law by their very existence. Despite their peculiar blob-like heads and long tails, these sperm cells are able to move and swim due to the unique properties of their flagella, or tails.
In theory, the fluid surrounding the sperm cells should dissipate the energy they exert, causing them to remain stationary. However, the elasticity of the sperm cells’ flagella allows them to move without losing a significant amount of energy to the surrounding environment. This phenomenon, known as the “odd elastic modulus,” challenges Newton’s Third Law.
The understanding of this odd elastic modulus could provide valuable insights into the mechanisms behind the movement of microorganisms. By calculating this property for various organisms, scientists may uncover the secrets of their agility and potentially apply this knowledge to the development of soft, elastic robots.
The research findings on this topic have been published in the scientific journal PRX Life and can be accessed through this link: https://www.businessinsider.in/science/news/human-sperm-cells-do-not-care-about-newtons-third-law-of-motion-and-scientists-dont-know-why/articleshow/104653017.cms.
Newton’s laws of motion revolutionized science, but the existence of human sperm cells defying the Third Law is a puzzling phenomenon. It is yet another example of the intricacies of nature and the ongoing quest for knowledge in the scientific community.
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