Lifting off the run-way

Every time I sit in an airplane, I feel the same sort of a pulling sensation in my gut during the take-off. The throat suddenly feels dry and the ear tubes close down. When the wheels lift off the runway, it feels weightless and an upward pull is experienced as if someone is dragging up from the edge of a cliff. 

This time, I got a seat right next to the wings. I don't mind the 'view-blocking' that it causes, but, it might really put someone off guard, when one sees the slight up-down motion of the farther portion of the wings due to the wind. It seems as if the wings aren't enough to support the plane body and might get knocked-off any moment. But I guess, that's how its supposed to be according to the flight dynamics. This basically works on Bernouli's principle. Daniel Bernouli was a swiss mathematician who applied equations to decode some of the observations of the physical world. According to Bernouli's principle, if the speed of the flow of a fluid is increased, then, a simultaneous decrease is seen in the pressure of the fluid. Faster the fluid flows, lesser pressure it exerts. Any substance that flows is defined as a fluid. So if we think of air as as a fluid (its made of particles that flow through), then, we can apply Bernouli's principle to understand the aerodynamics of a flight. The wings of the plane are designed in a manner such that the air moves faster above the wings than below. As the speed of the air increases, the pressure of the air above the wings decreases- from Bernouli's principle. The air pressure on top of the wings is less than the air pressure at the bottom of the wings. This pressure difference that is created, leads to the upward lift that pulls the airplane off the runway. This is a pre-calculated lift force based on Bernouli's equation. There are other factors and equations involved too, but, this is the primary one.

Speaking of aircrafts and aerodynamics, recently, there was a Defense Expo held in Pune, organized by the Maharashtra government. This was a first of its kind effort by the state, showcasing the defense and armament related exhibits. It was a wonderful experience to watch almost every aspect of the Indian Army, Navy and Airforce that was featured in an informative yet engaging manner. I have tried to coalesce a few glimpses of this Defense Expo in the form of a video here. 

©Neha Kanase 

Are you serious or-chiding?

Imagine being crammed in a really tiny, closed space and buried in mud, while you're still alive. Everyday you get soaked completely in the muddy water. After a few days of this, you start peeping out of your closed space. You somehow try to walk through all that mud and what not. Finally, you come of your own and blossom to the fresh air. You are quite happy with yourself and then suddenly someone looks at you and exclaims 'you're beautiful', and soon, you're gone!

In the quest of 'knowing stuff around us' somebody came across orchids. That person didn't just admire and move on, but started studying these floral beauties. Since, he hadn't seen them anywhere else, this turned out to be a rare encounter. And because it was rare and beautiful, it had a value. Soon that person started developing techniques in his laboratory to grow more of these and different types of them. Orchid cultivation is a huge area of study in the horticultural sector now. It has turned into a source of livelihood for many and a huge industrial market- because of whosoever buys them.

One very unique things about orchids, lies in their germination. They grow in association with a fungi called micorrhiza. Since very early stages, the fungi starts propagating in the vicinity of the orchid plant, usually near its roots. The fungi provides the plant with nutrients which it absorbs from the soil. The plant uses these along with sunlight, water and carbon dioxide during the process of photosynthesis. The glucose, generated in the form of food by the plant ,is given back to the fungi. Since, Fungi cannot undergo photosynthesis due to lack of chlorophyll pigment in them. This is usually done by means of an exchange-surface area created between them during growth. Its often referred to as a 'symbiotic relationship'. I have heard a few botanists talk about it as an example of helping each other or mutual understanding. But I don't think the two of them even know they are doing this. 

Its just like someone in the family gets the grocery and the other person cooks for both of them. I heard someone preach the value of helping each other just like the orchid and Fungi. I'm not sure if that sort of silent action works for us. Because if we (in many cases) help someone, we usually shout it to the whole world. I came across a few lovely orchids recently, put for display. Of course, I was window-shopping. Sometimes it feels so good to just admire and enjoy something rather than trying to figure out how and where it came from.

©Neha Kanase