The most important quality that differentiates humpback whales from other whale species is their indented fins, as if they were cut with a ragged scissor. This unique structure of the humpback whale fin has attracted the interest of scientists and they began to search for answers to these questions. How does this special structure affect these whales? How does this structure inspire scientists?
Almighty Allah, the Lord of all worlds Who creates everything flawlessly, creates many details that will amaze us in other creatures. As we research these details, the superior art, knowledge and might in Allah’s Creation will become apparent. Recently, the research of scientists about a large whale species has brought forward one important truth that these details show in other living beings.
What is the Secret of the Special Shape in Whale Fins?
The Humpback Whale, (known as megaptera novaeangliae in Latin) is well-known for their acrobatic movements as opposed to other species of whales. The fins of these whales are composed of indents and nicks. The benefits of this particular fin structure was not known before. However, the research done showed that this special structure gave the humpback whale an advantage;. this unique structure provides for more efficient movement for the humpback whale than the more common shape of fins found on other whales.
From Whale Fins to Plane Wings
The design used today in plane wings have a flawless and neat shape. Researchers at Duke University made a very different and new model than the ones used previously, benefiting from the fins of this species of whales.
Engineers compared the model formed by the addition of these ragged structures to the models without any nicks. It was found that ragged wings had a 40% better angle than completely smooth ones. In addition, it was found that ragged structures were able to rise 8% more. Another advantage is that the back-dragging force was 32% less in this model. L. E. Howle, one of scientists who led the research, noted that the increasing levitation force and the decreasing repelling force being acquired at the same time increased aerodynamic efficiency.
How Do Nicks on Plane Wings Increase Efficiency of Flight?
When scientists explored the details of the system, they found that the ragged structures caused whirlpools that turn around the wing. These whirlpools prevent the air on the wings from spreading, and moved airflow away from the wings, without going towards the back. This allows the plane to stand on more perpendicular angles and thus have a higher levitation force. (Sources: 1- Physics of Fluids -- May 2004 -- Volume 16, Issue 5, pp. L39-L42, 2- Mimicking Humpback Whale Flippers May Improve Airplane Wing Design)
Whale Fins and The Fact of Creation
All of these technical details show that just like other traits of the humpback whale, the nicks on their fins could not be the work of random coincidences. Just like every detail in nature, these are also created for a specific purpose. Allah, the Creator of the skies, the earth and all those in between and the Lord of all worlds, created the whole universe with amazing and flawless details. This truth is revealed in the Quran as follows:
“He who created the seven heavens in layers.You will not find any flaw in the creation of the All-Merciful. Look again – do you see any gaps? Then look again and again. Your sight will return to you dazzled and exhausted!” (Surat al-Mulk, 3-4)
