Body length1.5 hundredths m
17.6 millionGlucose molecules
556 billionthsMalta lengths
Photo from Wikimedia Commons
Bombardier Beetle
An insect that shoots boiling chemical spray from its rear/Insects & Arachnids
Bombardier beetles (genus Brachinus) defend themselves by firing a boiling, noxious chemical spray from the tip of their abdomen at predators. The spray is produced by mixing hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide in a reaction chamber, generating an exothermic reaction that heats the liquid to about 373 K. The beetle can aim its spray with precision and fire it in rapid pulses of about 500 per second. A typical bombardier beetle is about 1.5 cm long.
Measurements
Body mass500 millionths kg
1.7 millionthsFull bathtubs
111 millionthsAdult house cats
Spray temperature373 K
1.31Beer cellar temps
1.1Sun-baked car interiors
1.06Fresh bread loaves
Spray exit speed10 m/s
3.3 millionthsPercent light speeds
33.3Conveyor belts
Pulse rate500 Hz
1.67Blender blade spins
1.14Concert A notes
333Chewing cycles
Spray range2 tenths m
2.33Credit card lengths
1.05Pencils