Which Movie Has the Worst Depiction of Physics?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on identifying movies with the worst depictions of physics, with "Independence Day" frequently cited as a prime example. Participants highlight specific inaccuracies, such as the unrealistic portrayal of B-2 bombers outrunning nuclear bombs and the implausibility of sound in space. The conversation also touches on the creative liberties taken in science fiction films, contrasting them with the expectation of scientific accuracy in other genres. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the need for screenwriters to have a better understanding of scientific principles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics principles, particularly in relation to motion and sound.
  • Familiarity with military aircraft, specifically B-2 bombers and F/A-18 Hornets.
  • Knowledge of cinematic techniques and creative license in filmmaking.
  • Awareness of common science fiction tropes and their implications on realism.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the physics of sound in space and its representation in film.
  • Explore the design and capabilities of military aircraft, focusing on B-2 and F/A-18 specifications.
  • Investigate the role of scientific consultants in film production and their impact on script accuracy.
  • Analyze other films criticized for poor physics, such as "Wing Commander" and "The Cave."
USEFUL FOR

Film enthusiasts, science fiction writers, educators in physics, and anyone interested in the intersection of cinema and scientific accuracy.

  • #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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