A flea can be 50 times faster than a space shuttle.

The flea when jumping accelerates 50 times faster than a space shuttle. Although fleas cannot fly, they can jump over seven inches (18 cm) high and thirteen inches (33 cm) long, that is about one hundred and fifty times its own length. Without its outer shell it would get smashed by the velocity of the jump, and especially on its landing.

Acceleration is the change in speed of an object over time, often measured in "g" 's, with one g equal to the acceleration caused by gravity on Earth (9.8 meters / 32.2 feet per square second). Fleas experience 100g, while the Space Shuttle peaked at around 5g. The flea's secret is a stretchy rubber-like protein which allows it to store and release energy like a spring.

More Info: www.pests.org

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26 Comments

Tony Heiser

There is a difference between acceleration and speed. Bad question

John R. Williams

you did not say accelerate, you said speed.

Chris Hall

There is a difference between acceleration and speed. Bad question

Mr.LaFaye

I think QuizzClub staff are passing out to much weed to their question writers, they seem to be in LaLa Land

LibraryLady

The question and the answer don't jive! Not true as stated.

Leslie Hayden

Badly worded question, The answer is based on a different premise.

Patrick Toomer

Poor question. More definition required

Marina da Conceicao

Agree with Tony! Speed does not equal acceleration!

Stevie G

Poorly worded question with an incorrect answer. Due to their size and the force used to jump those great distances, their acceleration is approximately 100 times the force of gravity. When they jump, fleas accelerate faster than a space shuttle. In fact, more than 20 times faster.