In the age of smartphones, while the fragility of devices is a constant concern, a surprising story has recently emerged. What would happen if an iPhone fell out of a plane mid-flight? The incredible answer to this question has intrigued everyone, and experts are coming together to explain the reasons behind this surprising phenomenon.
The Unbelievable Find
The story begins with Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, which took off from Portland Airport. Just 10 minutes after takeoff, a section of the fuselage broke off, leading to cabin depressurization and an emergency being declared. At this critical moment, an iPhone took center stage by surviving the plane's crash.
Sean Bates, a resident of nearby Portland, found his iPhone on the ground while walking around his neighborhood. The device was in airplane mode, displaying his flight’s boarding pass. After contacting authorities and checking the media, he realized the connection between the found iPhone and the flight incident. Surprisingly, the iPhone was largely intact, with only a few scratches, despite having fallen from an altitude of 3 miles.
The Mystery of Survival
But how is it possible that an iPhone could have survived such an extreme fall? Physics and engineering experts explain that several factors are involved.
Professor Luis Ángel Tejedor, an expert in Electronic Communications Engineering at Complutense University, explains that three key elements are at play: Newton's second law, the impact surface and the design of the device. These elements determine the speed at which the object falls.
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Tejedor also highlights the importance of the frictional force, which slows the speed of the fall. Once the frictional force equals gravity, the object stops accelerating, regardless of the height of the fall.
The mass and surface area of the object also play a crucial role. An iPhone, being light and flat, slides easily and reaches a relatively low maximum speed during a fall.
The Role of Luck and Protection
In addition to the laws of physics, other factors played a role in the iPhone's survival. Luck played a crucial role, as the device landed in a grassy area near a road, minimizing the impact.
The kinetic energy generated at the moment of impact also needs to be dissipated. Soft grass absorbed this energy, while hard surfaces such as cement or asphalt would have caused significant damage to the phone.
In addition, the iPhone was equipped with a protective case and a tempered glass screen protector, increasing its drop resistance.
In this extraordinary case, a combination of physics, luck and protection resulted in the surprising survival of an iPhone after a plane crash. A story that will continue to intrigue everyone and highlight the durability of the latest generation of mobile devices.
