Wrong interpretation of physics

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on identifying three instances of incorrect physics in "Terminator 1," primarily revolving around time travel. Key points include the impossibility of changing history through time travel, the inconsistency of transporting clothing and weapons alongside characters, and the lack of physical damage on the Terminator despite being shot multiple times. Participants also debate the plausibility of a "plasma rifle" measurement in watts and the forces involved when characters are shot. Overall, the conversation highlights significant physics inaccuracies in the film's portrayal of time travel and material science.
aloe
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I need help with this, please.
Name three moments in the terminator 1 in which the physics was wrong. what was wrong with the physics, and what should have happened? I need it urgently and it is not a homework problem, but it is very urgent.

thanks, i appreciate it
 
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1. Time Travel
2. Time Travel
3. Time Travel

I can't really think of anything else too impossible.
 
Vorde,

I don't think that is the answer. what was exactly wrong with the time travel? that is what i mean. also, was time travel the only physics related moment in terminator?
 
I only saw terminator 2, not terminator 1. Sorry.
 
aloe said:
I need help with this, please.
Name three moments in the terminator 1 in which the physics was wrong. what was wrong with the physics, and what should have happened? I need it urgently and it is not a homework problem, but it is very urgent.

thanks, i appreciate it

This sounds like a homework problem and should be posted as such.

What do YOU think they might be? We're here to help you, not spoon feed you answers.
 
Can you give us any more detail on what exactly you'd be looking for? Maybe give us at least 1 example of your own?

I am pretty sure it's not a homework question since this movie is about 25 years old and rated R, so unless the prof just loves Terminator 1 then he's kinda out of touch, especially when T2 and T3 had way better physics scenes to tear apart (Semi crushing the highway barricade, mobile crane tearing down an entire building and cityblock, etc.).
 
Oh yeah, he goes into the Gun Shop and orders a "Plasma Rifle with 40 watt range" in addition to a lot of conventional weapons.

A) How is Watts (1 Joule per second) an effective measurement of the distance a Plasma Rifle can shoot? (I think in this case, I'd pretend that Plasma is merely some arbitrarily large energy number, like..i don't know something measured in kilojoules.)

B) if Watts isn't an effective measurement of the distance an energy gun can shoot, what would make a better unit of measurement?


In the Dance Club scene, I *believe* The Terminator takes a shotgun to the chest and is thrown to the ground. If that's true, then how much force did the shotgun transfer to The Terminator, assuming The Terminator is 1 ton?
Also, keeping in mind the conservation of energy and momentum, how much force would the shotgun have on John Connor as he shot it? Why didn't he fly back, and if he was suppose to fly back, how far should he have gone, assuming he weighs 180 pounds?
 
aloe said:
I need help with this, please.
Name three moments in the terminator 1 in which the physics was wrong. what was wrong with the physics, and what should have happened? I need it urgently and it is not a homework problem, but it is very urgent.

thanks, i appreciate it
Two problems with time travel, one with material science.
1) You can't change history, hence you can't time travel.
-Even though general relativity wormhole models don't allow you to change history.
2) Neither O'Conner nor the Terminator could transport clothes or weapons back in time with them.
-They both appear naked without weapons. This implies that there is a law of physics which discriminates between robots and men versus weapons and clothes.
-They were able to transport all the Terminators parts, electronic and mechanical, with no difficulty. They were able to transport both O'Conner with all his organic materials. They transported the Terminator, with both organic and inorganic material. Why couldn't either side send their representative back with clothes, weapons or other supplies?
3) No dents on the Terminator,.
-He is hit with so many bullets and bombs. Yet, when his fleshy covering is burnt off, there are no dents.
 
Darwin123 said:
-He is hit with so many bullets and bombs. Yet, when his fleshy covering is burnt off, there are no dents.

Yeah, but he was made out of unobtanium, which doesn't dent. :smile:

Aloe, I think it is rude of you to say (1) you need this URGENTLY and (2) it is not homework, but then you don't say WHY you need it. What's the secrecy ?
 
  • #10
Creel said:
Oh yeah, he goes into the Gun Shop and orders a "Plasma Rifle with 40 watt range" in addition to a lot of conventional weapons.
I believe he said "in a 40 watt range"- 40 watts referring to a particular level out of a range of energies.
 
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