Minimizing Bird Flight Energy Consumption

Optimizing Bird Flight Engergy Consumption per Time

For this problem, the horizontal axis measures the speed of a bird in flight in meters/second. The given blue graph is the graph of f(v), measuring the energy consumption in Joules/second. Move point A to see different values for f(v).

MInimize f

Where is f a minimum?

Visualizing Energy Consumption per Meter

Let a(v) be the rate of energy consumption of the bird in flight measured in Joules per meter. What is the relationship between a and f? How can we visualize the value of a using the graph of f?

Minimizing a(v)

When is a(v) minimized?