Many people fear turbulence, but understanding the science behind it can ease those fears. A viral TikTok video using Jell-O as an analogy has helped some overcome their anxiety about flying, but how accurate is the comparison? The key takeaway is that planes don’t just stay in the air; they are supported by physical forces, and turbulence doesn’t mean they will drop out of the sky.
The Origins of the Jell-O Analogy
The Jell-O comparison comes from former airline captain Tom Bunn, now a therapist who founded the SOAR program to help people manage flight anxiety. Bunn realized that explaining physics alone wasn’t enough; people needed an emotional connection to understand why planes remain airborne. He discovered that many lacked a basic grasp of the forces keeping a plane aloft, leading to panic during turbulence.
To address this, Bunn used the idea of air resistance, asking people to imagine air thickening at higher speeds. By the time a plane reaches cruising speed, the air around it feels as dense as Jell-O, providing support from all sides. While not perfect scientifically, it’s a relatable way to visualize lift.
The Science Behind Flight
The forces keeping planes airborne are rooted in Bernoulli’s principle. This concept, developed by 18th-century mathematician Daniel Bernoulli, states that faster-moving fluids (like air) exert less pressure. Airplane wings are designed with curved tops and flatter bottoms. Air traveling over the curved top speeds up, reducing pressure, while air under the wing moves slower, maintaining higher pressure. This difference in pressure creates lift, pushing the wing upwards.
The faster the plane moves, the stronger this effect becomes. At 600 mph, the air pressure under the wings is strong enough to hold the aircraft securely, similar to a napkin ball suspended in Jell-O. This is why planes don’t simply fall; they are actively supported by the physics of fluid dynamics.
What Causes Turbulence?
Turbulence occurs when air masses collide at different temperatures, pressures, or speeds. Causes range from thunderstorms to the Earth’s rotation. The severity varies from minor shaking to intense jolts that can injure unbuckled passengers. However, turbulence is rarely as dangerous as it feels. Commercial pilots emphasize that planes are designed to withstand extreme conditions.
Is Turbulence Really That Safe?
Despite the unsettling sensation, turbulence is statistically far less dangerous than many other forms of travel. Modern planes are built to withstand immense stress; wing flex tests show they can bend significantly without breaking. While a 1960s incident involving turbulence near Mount Fuji resulted in a crash, Bunn notes that such a scenario is unlikely today due to improved flight paths and aircraft engineering.
In fact, there has never been a plane crash caused solely by turbulence. The real risk comes from unsecured objects or passengers during severe jolts. Wearing a seatbelt mitigates this hazard entirely.
Conclusion
Turbulence is unsettling, but understanding the underlying physics can reduce fear. Planes are not just floating; they are actively supported by aerodynamic forces. The Jell-O analogy, while imperfect, offers a relatable mental image of how lift works. Ultimately, turbulence is a normal part of flight, and modern aircraft are designed to handle it safely. As one pilot put it: “You can just chill there. You’re just wriggling in jelly.”
