Which Movie Has the Worst Depiction of Physics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying movies that are perceived to have the worst depictions of physics. Participants share their opinions on various films, highlighting specific scenes or concepts that they believe demonstrate poor scientific understanding or implausibility. The conversation includes both popular and lesser-known films, focusing on elements of science fiction and action genres.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants consider "Independence Day" to be a prime example of bad physics, citing issues such as a massive alien ship hovering without visible propulsion and the implausibility of B-2 bombers outrunning nuclear bombs.
  • One participant recalls a scene where a character uses a parachute in a fighter jet, questioning the realism of such an event.
  • Another participant mentions the creative license often taken in science fiction, arguing that while some inaccuracies exist, they can enhance the entertainment value of films.
  • Concerns are raised about the portrayal of sound in space, with some arguing that it detracts from scientific accuracy, while others defend it as part of the cinematic experience.
  • Participants discuss the portrayal of computer viruses in films, with mixed opinions on their feasibility and relevance to the plot.
  • One participant critiques the film "Eraser" for its depiction of a gun that fires projectiles at near-light speed, questioning the logic behind characters missing their shots despite advanced technology.
  • Another participant expresses frustration with the general lack of scientific knowledge among screenwriters, suggesting that many do not adequately research their subjects.
  • The film "Wing Commander" is mentioned as an example of poor physics, particularly for its depiction of missiles in space leaving smoke trails.
  • A humorous reference is made to Gandalf from "The Lord of the Rings," questioning the physics behind his actions in the film.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on specific films and scenes, with no consensus on which movie has the absolute worst depiction of physics. Disagreements exist regarding the acceptability of creative license in filmmaking versus strict adherence to scientific principles.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight various assumptions about the realism of specific scenes, the role of artistic license, and the impact of creative storytelling on scientific accuracy. There are unresolved discussions about the implications of these portrayals on audience perceptions of science.

  • #31
DaveC426913 said:
On the contrary - you will explode if you hold your breath. Not literally, but your lungs will rupture internally and you will have a 100% mortality rate within 20 minutes.

This is how many scuba divers die, and that's just going from 2 atmospheres to 1, not 1 to 0.
Yes, if you hold your breath. But you won't undergo the type of explosive decompression some people expect.
 
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  • #32
Agreed on both counts.

(Remember 'Outland', that Sean Connery movie? Their heads go blammo!)
 
  • #33
loseyourname said:
In The Matrix, why don't the machines simply harvest a non-human animal for energy, something that processes food more efficiently, produces more energy, and wouldn't stage revolts due to their freedom of choice?
This has to be one of the worst ideas ever. The human brain does not magically produce energy, it uses energy from food. If the aliens were feeding the humans slime, they would have got more energy by just burning the slime, rather than putting so much energy into building and maintaining human body tissues. I guess you're just not supposed to think about it too hard.
 
  • #34
Janus said:
Actually, the movie got this right. The human body can survive exposure to vacuum for up to about 30 sec without any ill effects. You will not explode, nor will your blood boil, etc.
What keeps blood from boiling when the external pressure is less than its vapor pressure?
 
  • #35
LA (the volcano film) has to be one of the least scientific ever. Since when did lava travel neatly down streets, rather than through anything and everything. I won't even begin to talk about the tectonic setting of LA.
 
  • #36
in 'the day the Earth stood still', when the ailien and the boy went to the proffeser's house, how come the alien understood the celestial mechanics problem? Those weren't alien symbols
 
  • #37
matthyaouw said:
LA (the volcano film) has to be one of the least scientific ever. Since when did lava travel neatly down streets, rather than through anything and everything. I won't even begin to talk about the tectonic setting of LA.

Well its possible since LA enacted that "Anti-lava building code" into law. :-p
 
  • #38
Mozart said:
Its been a long time since I've seen that movie. I do remember seeing Will Smith with a parachute though. I believe he was flying an f/a-18 hornet which can be equipped with ejection seats. Or was it that the parachute actually came out of the back of the aircraft, because I've never seen or heard of that in actual fighters.

A popular one would be sound in space which Star Wars is famous for, among other movies.

He had a drag chute under the F/A-18's speed brake... the speed brake works, but there's no parachute under it, not even room for one. I recall some AIr Force fighters had drag chutes as late as twenty-five years ago.

The absolute worst for me was "Broken Arrow" where the base some miles away felt the nuclear explosion before the heroes did, and the EMP went at the same speed as the ground shock.
 
  • #39
LeonhardEuler said:
What keeps blood from boiling when the external pressure is less than its vapor pressure?

Its because the blood is still contained in the circulatory system which keeps the pressure inside the body high enough that the blood can't expand.

On the lungs rupturing there are 4 more types of over expansion injuries you may experience. Some of these can happen even if you don't hold your breath, and are caused by rapidly decreasing pressure.

Subcutaneous (occurring under the skin),

pulmonary over inflation (the lungs as mentioned),

arterial gas embolism (this is the most dangerous and causes a gas bubble to form in the aorta of the heart resulting is blood clotting),

mediastinal emphysema (air is forced through torn lung tissue into the mediastinal tissues),

and pneumothorax (air in the chest).
 

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