I'm Confused about Buoyancy (Anime: A Certain Scientific Railgun)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of buoyancy as depicted in the anime "A Certain Scientific Railgun," particularly focusing on the fictional ability of a character to manipulate buoyancy. Participants explore the implications of this ability in relation to real-world physics, questioning how buoyancy can be applied to lift heavy objects and the underlying mechanics involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion about how the character's ability to control buoyancy allows her to lift heavy objects, questioning the mechanics behind this fictional power.
  • Others argue that while the series is grounded in scientific concepts, it ultimately operates within a fictional framework that does not adhere strictly to real-world physics.
  • A participant suggests that buoyancy is related to fluid pressure acting on a surface, proposing that manipulating buoyancy would involve manipulating fluid pressure.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the manipulation of buoyancy could be conceptualized through mathematical frameworks, such as tensors, within the context of the fictional universe.
  • Some participants express frustration with the notion that the explanation is simply "magic" or "fiction," seeking a more scientific understanding of buoyancy.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the nature of buoyancy manipulation in the context of the anime. While some seek scientific explanations, others maintain that the fictional elements of the story limit the applicability of real-world physics.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the limitations of applying real-world physics to fictional scenarios, noting that the discussion is inherently speculative and dependent on the fictional laws established within the anime.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to fans of the anime who are curious about the scientific principles behind the fictional abilities, as well as those interested in the intersection of science and fiction in storytelling.

ayami123
well I was watching the Third Season,
and I was Confused,
there's an esper her ability name is Float Dial it is an ability to control buoyancy.
at first I understand, that it controls fluids thus able to slide on water
walk on walker.

but how the does she able to lift the heavy concrete and make the mechanical mosquito with some dangerous medicine move to other direction ?
 
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ayami123 said:
well I was watching the Third Season,
and I was Confused,
there's an esper her ability name is Float Dial it is an ability to control buoyancy.
at first I understand, that it controls fluids thus able to slide on water
walk on walker.

but how the does she able to lift the heavy concrete and make the mechanical mosquito with some dangerous medicine move to other direction ?
It's fiction.
 
jbriggs444 said:
It's fiction.

it's science fiction mind you, but is grounded by the lore thus , that has it's own laws that it does not bend.
example.
Accelerator, has the ability to manipulate vectors,

and as you know vectors is anything that has a magnitude and direction.
thus you already know what he can do,

Misaka, Railgun, has the Ability To Manipulate Electromagnetism

thus again you already know what she could do,
Magnetize Sand, Shot Electrics, and of course use railgun,

thus each of an ability has it's grounds on science just add some fiction stuff,

what I don't get is, how as I know is Bouyancy is something related to liquid,
that makes it float, so how does it effect if you can manipulate bouyancy,
what is the calculation do she need to lift boulders if she could Manipulate Bouyancy,
What does Bouyancy Do?
is it just a Direction the Object Push to the water?
or is it the force of water that push to the object ?
That's my question.

the "it's just fiction" doesn't answer my question,
unless we talk about it's sister series,
A Certain Magical Index, which relies on Religious, Folklores and Superstitious Laws to use their abilites.
and I'm not talking about that side of the story
 
It's not science.
 
jbriggs444 said:
It's not science.
yes, yes it's not science,
but what I meant is that how can you, if you have the power to manipulate bouyancy,
be able to lift a large pile of concrete with single hand.

what does the buoyancy do?
what can it you mostly?
 
ayami123 said:
yes, yes it's not science,
but what I meant is that how can you, if you have the power to manipulate bouyancy,
be able to lift a large pile of concrete with single hand.

what does the buoyancy do?
what can it you mostly?
"Buoyancy" is nothing more or less than fluid pressure added up over the surface of a body. If you want to manipulate buoyancy, you have to manipulate fluid pressure.

Fluid pressure part of the stress tensor that exists within a fluid. If one fictional character can manipulate vectors then another fictional character, after having been appropriately trained in a mathematical curriculum ought to be able to manipulate tensors.

Since this is a fictional universe, it requires no great leap of faith to imagine that manipulation of a mathematical description of a thing amounts to manipulation of the thing itself.

In other words:

It's magic.
 
jbriggs444 said:
"Buoyancy" is nothing more or less than fluid pressure added up over the surface of a body. If you want to manipulate buoyancy, you have to manipulate fluid pressure.

Fluid pressure part of the stress tensor that exists within a fluid. vectors

this is what the answer I need.
not the it's magic or fiction.

thus now I understand how she could lift boulders with one hand

thanks by the way
 
As my father said many times, "Man is not a rational animal. Man is a rationalizing animal".
 
jbriggs444 said:
As my father said many times, "Man is not a rational animal. Man is a rationalizing animal".

well, I may have structured the title in wrong words and meaning, my apologies.
should have been, what is buoyancy?, which should have solve the issue misunderstanding of what I want to ask,
rather than adding a Science Fiction, to my question.
 
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