walk on water
- 00:01:14
- YouTube
walk on water
Water strider walks on water. Until recently it was thought that the wax secreted on the insect's leg and the surface tension, a property of fluids because of which water surface acts as a stretched cloth, facilitating the water strider to walk or skate on water. The recent research ( Xuefeng Gao & Lei Jiang Nov 4 NATURE) showa that water strider's legs are covered with microscopic hairs (needle shaped microsetae of less that 3 micron dia) which trap tiny air bubbles allowing the insect to simply float. Water Striders flit/skate about by using their legs as oars. It is critical that water strider's legs not get wet, in order to avoid penetratng the water surface during their rowing strokes. NOTICE THE STRIDER'S LEGS MAKING DIMPLES ON WATER IN THE VIDEO.
YouTube | December 19, 2007
