Traveling is extremely arduous for microscopic sperm -- think of a human trying to swim in a pool made of...other humans. We can compare the journey of a sperm to that of a sperm whale by calculating the Reynolds number, a prediction of how fluid will behave, often fluctuating due to size of the swimmer. Aatish Bhatia explores the great (albeit tiny) sperm's journey. [Directed by Brad Purnell, narrated by Addison Anderson].

Aatish Bhatia: The physics of human sperm vs. the physics of the sperm whale

The physics of human sperm vs. the physics of the sperm whale

A sperm whale's effortless glide contrasts sharply with a sperm's struggle in water, highlighting the role of size and fluid dynamics.

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