# What is the terminal velocity of a sperm whale? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 10, 2008, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891 "2008-09-10T03:04:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/21 "2008-09-10T20:36:47Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Doh! Missed it. :smack: Psst. See also the last line of the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/22 "2008-09-10T20:38:44Z")
> [@Randy\_Seltzer](#): > > Psst. See also the last line of the OP. I’ll take your word for it. Lost my glasses recently and seriously cannot read subscript without them on here. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/23 "2008-09-10T20:39:45Z")
Will no one think of the bowl of petunias? ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/24 "2008-09-10T20:45:55Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Will no one think of the bowl of petunias? Psst. See post [21](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10179345&postcount=21). ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/25 "2008-09-10T20:52:31Z")
> [@Santo\_Rugger](#): > > I think the problem is with your slugs… I never liked slugs anyway. You’re probably right. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/26 "2008-09-10T20:53:07Z")
All the calculations seem to be assuming Earth gravity. At the time of the event, Earth was no more and therefor only the gravity of Magrathea is pertinent to the calculations. Although it would have to be somewhat close or the difference would have been mentioned dramatically. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/27 "2008-09-10T20:55:00Z")
OKay, I give up. I was all set to flounce out of here over the latest moderating brouhaha, but I can’t leave a board that both knows and does the actual math on determining the terminal velocity of a sperm whale. I just can’t. I mean, what would I tell my grandchildren? SDMB, you sonofawhoresonbitch I wish I knew how to quit you! (And I’d also like to know about the bowl of petunias.) ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/28 "2008-09-10T20:56:41Z")
> [@Santo\_Rugger](#): > > Just because we’re talking about sperm doesn’t mean we’re talking about swallows. _takes out a large trout and ceremoniously thwacks **Santo** with it_ Now, what about a bowl of blubber? Besides being disgusting, I mean? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/29 "2008-09-10T21:12:06Z")
Some petunias sprinkled in that bowl of blubber will make a festive centerpiece for any table. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/30 "2008-09-10T21:23:39Z")
What’s with the petunias, is it a Python thing? > [@Yllaria](#): > > All the calculations seem to be assuming Earth gravity. At the time of the event, Earth was no more and therefor only the gravity of Magrathea is pertinent to the calculations. Although it would have to be somewhat close or the difference would have been mentioned dramatically. If you tell me the acceleration due to gravity and air density on Magrathea, I’ll gladly rerun the numbers. **Captain Carrot,** again, just because we’re talking about sperm doesn’t mean we have to include bowls of blubber. > [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I’ll take your word for it. Lost my glasses recently and seriously cannot read subscript without them on here. Try hitting ‘Ctrl’ and ‘+’ at the same time. It’ll increase the font size in your browser. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/31 "2008-09-10T21:27:57Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > . . . > > (And I’d also like to know about the bowl of petunias.) Well, it would depend on whether the petunias had been watered recently. Also the shape of the bowl. And whether they were rooted, or loose cut flowers. History does not relate. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/32 "2008-09-10T21:28:59Z")
> [@Santo\_Rugger](#): > > What’s with the petunias, is it a Python thing? Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/33 "2008-09-10T21:29:13Z")
> [@Santo\_Rugger](#): > > What’s with the petunias, is it a Python thing? It’s a _Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy_ thing. Our heroes are being chased by two missiles launched from the planet Magrathea to discourage their landing. To save themselves they turn on the Infinite Improbability Drive. This causes the missiles, against all probability, to turn into a sperm whale and a bowl of petunias. A bit then follows about what the whale and petunias thought in their brief existence before they crashed into the planet below. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/34 "2008-09-10T22:12:07Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Some petunias sprinkled in that bowl of blubber will make a festive centerpiece for any table. [Saundra Lee? Is that you?](http://www.semihomemade.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/35 "2008-09-11T05:34:05Z")
No. I thought I was channelling Martha Stewart. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/36 "2008-09-11T11:48:40Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > No. I thought I was channelling Martha Stewart. So does Saundra Lee. (Explanation for those not cursed with awareness of Saundra Lee’s schtick: She has a show on Food Network makes these awful “semi-homemade” meals which are mostly prepackaged crap arranged on a plate and sprinkled with mint leaves from her garden and finishes every show with a truly horrendous and over the top table setting which must have taken hours to make. If she’d stop changing her table setting so often, she’d have time to make real food. She’s the Martha Stewart of the trailer park.) ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/37 "2008-09-11T12:21:17Z")
Is the whale coming down or going up? ---
**Author:** ![Satellite\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Satellite\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satellite_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/38 "2008-09-11T12:56:19Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > It’s a _Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy_ thing. Our heroes are being chased by two missiles launched from the planet Magrathea to discourage their landing. To save themselves they turn on the Infinite Improbability Drive. This causes the missiles, against all probability, to turn into a sperm whale and a bowl of petunias. A bit then follows about what the whale and petunias thought in their brief existence before they crashed into the planet below. And here it is… scroll down to where it says **Dialogues** , and the second one there (the book… the whale… the book) [http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The\_Hitchhiker’s\_Guide\_to\_the\_Galaxy\_(film)](http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Hitchhiker's_Guide_to_the_Galaxy_(film)) S^G ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/39 "2008-09-11T13:50:24Z")
OK, so we know the velocity of a sperm whale. Now what is the velocity of whale sperm? Betcha didn’t see that coming! ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891/40 "2008-09-11T14:23:23Z")
> [@Santo\_Rugger](#): > > . . . If you tell me the acceleration due to gravity and air density on Magrathea, I’ll gladly rerun the numbers. . . Let me check my notes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-terminal-velocity-of-a-sperm-whale/462891.md?page=3)