Ponies Trotting A 1991 study found that the peak vertical force on a trotting Shetland pony increased linearly with the pony's speed, and that when the force reached a critical level, the pony switched from a trot to a gallop. For one pony, the critical force was 1.16 times its body weight. It experienced a force of 0.75 times its body weight at a speed of 2 meters per second and a force of 0.93 times its body weight at 3 meters per second. At what speed did the pony switch from a trot to a gallop? Source: Science.
Life Expectancy Some scientists believe there is a limit to how long humans can live. One supporting argument is that during the last century, life expectancy from age 65 has increased more slowly than life expectancy from birth, so eventually these two will be equal, at which point, according to these scientists, life expectancy should increase no further. In 1900, life expectancy at birth was 46 yr, and life expectancy at age 65 was 76 yr. In 2004, these figures had risen to 77.8 and 83.7, respectively. In both cases, the increase in life expectancy has been linear. Using these assumptions and the data given, and the maximum life expectancy for humans. Source: Science.