Projectile Motion in the movie Matrix?

[physicsishardd]

I need to prove that the scene where Neo jumps off the cliff in the Matrix is wrong. Obviously he can do that because he is not in this world. But using projectile motion, how would I prove that its wrong? Which equations do i need to use?

 

[russ_watters]

Welcome to PF!

You mean at the end of The Matrix 3? If you're trying to prove what a jump would look like in real life, you can use Newton's equations of motion, for projectile motion. http://formulas.tutorvista.com/physics/projectile-motion-formula.html

 

[physicsishardd]

I need to prove that the scene in the Matrix defy physics (the projectile motion part)

 

[sophiecentaur]

Do a graph of his displacement with time (freeze frames and using a ruler) and see
1. If it fits a parabolic curve
2. What value of g it implies

You can be sure it was not done fit real Physics but to look good (same as all the other great effects in the films). Films are not Science, they are out of the heads of (sometimes) gifted movie makers.

 

[PJC01]

I will approach this question by applying the principles of projectile motion to the scene in the Matrix where Neo jumps off the cliff. Projectile motion is the motion of an object through the air under the influence of gravity.

In this scene, Neo is seen jumping off a tall building and falling towards the ground before suddenly stopping and changing direction. This type of movement is not possible in the real world, as it goes against the laws of physics.

To prove that this scene is wrong, we can use the equations of projectile motion and compare them to what is shown in the movie. The key equations we need to consider are the equations for velocity, displacement, and acceleration in the x and y direction:

vx = vox + ax*t
vy = voy + ay*t
x = vox*t + 1/2*ax*t^2
y = voy*t + 1/2*ay*t^2

Where vx and vy are the x and y components of velocity, vox and voy are the initial x and y components of velocity, ax and ay are the x and y components of acceleration, t is time, x and y are the x and y components of displacement.

In the scene, Neo jumps off the building and falls towards the ground before suddenly stopping and changing direction. This means that his velocity in the y direction changes from downward to upward. This is not possible in projectile motion, as the acceleration due to gravity always acts in the downward direction.

Additionally, the equation for displacement in the y direction shows that the height of an object depends on the initial velocity in the y direction and the acceleration due to gravity. In the movie, Neo seems to defy gravity and stop in mid-air, which is not possible according to these equations.

In conclusion, the scene in the Matrix where Neo jumps off the cliff is not scientifically accurate. The principles of projectile motion show that the sudden change in direction and the ability to stop in mid-air are not possible in the real world. This scene may be possible in the Matrix world, where the laws of physics do not apply, but it goes against our understanding of projectile motion in the real world.