Protons or Photons?
Moderator: Vympel
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Jedi Guardian
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I'm sorry i'll try to be better at this. Now what I don't get is that these missiles must have been named so for a reason right? Now correct me if i'm wrong but aren't photons parts of light? First why would they name it that and second, how do you fit a little piece of light into a missile? Now this may sound stupid but if they don't do this, put light in it, then why do they call it that? Same with a proton, i'm not good at neuclear physics but wouldn't that be the same as an atom bomb, maybe smaller? You put all the atoms together and then when the bomb realeses it lets out all that energy. I think that would make more sense than an photon bomb.
How Borg Cube vs. Death Star really went.
"Blast then next ship you see coming around that moon"
"Yes my lord"
Enter Borg ship
BOOM!
"Target destroyed my lord"
"Blast then next ship you see coming around that moon"
"Yes my lord"
Enter Borg ship
BOOM!
"Target destroyed my lord"
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Darth Servo
- Emperor's Hand
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Jedi Guardian apparently isn't familiar with the "names have nothing to do with actual function" principle.
"everytime a person is born the Earth weighs just a little more."--DMJ on StarTrek.com
"You see now you are using your thinking and that is not a good thing!" DMJay on StarTrek.com
"Watching Sarli argue with Vympel, Stas, Schatten and the others is as bizarre as the idea of the 40-year-old Virgin telling Hugh Hefner that Hef knows nothing about pussy, and that he is the expert."--Elfdart
"You see now you are using your thinking and that is not a good thing!" DMJay on StarTrek.com
"Watching Sarli argue with Vympel, Stas, Schatten and the others is as bizarre as the idea of the 40-year-old Virgin telling Hugh Hefner that Hef knows nothing about pussy, and that he is the expert."--Elfdart
Or the "shrink your fucking sig" principle. Learn from TekDestroyer's folley child.Darth Servo wrote:Jedi Guardian apparently isn't familiar with the "names have nothing to do with actual function" principle.
بيرني كان سيفوز
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Nuclear Navy Warwolf
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in omnibus requiem quaesivi, et nusquam inveni nisi in angulo cum libro
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ipsa scientia potestas est
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Nuclear Navy Warwolf
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in omnibus requiem quaesivi, et nusquam inveni nisi in angulo cum libro
*
ipsa scientia potestas est
Jedi Guardian, you are obviously new to the whole science thing so in a rare moment of niceness I will explain a few basic principles of science to you.
A photon is the name for a particle of light. Now light is a kind of odd thing, it can be described as a wave in classical physics (theory of relativity, Newton's laws, etc.) and a particle in quantum physics (anything on a really small scale). Light is part of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum that ranges from really long radio waves through a bunch of other frequencies, including visible light, to high energy gamma rays. Now unless you are fucked in the head you should be aware that electromagnetic radiation (light, gamma, radio, etc.) has energy. For example microwaves which are part of the EM spectrum can cook food by transferring energy to the food which is turned into heat. So a photon can transmit energy and theorecticly a photon with an extramely high amount of energy could cause significant damage. Now in the case of photon torpedo matter and anti-matter (matter with an opposite charge) come in contact and react by anhilating into energy (about 89,875 terajoules or 21.5 megatons per kilogram), in the form of gamma rays (high energy photons). In the case of photon torpedos even though the energy isn't released in the most damaging form, when several megatons of energy is released it will still do a hell of a lot of damage, particularly against shields.
Protons on the other hand are positivly charged particles that are found in the nucleus of an atom. Their energy would be in the form of electric attraction (not likely to be used in a weapon) and kinetic energy. I don't know too much about proton torpedos (Star Trek technology is more my area of expetise) but from what I gather they are either a nuclear reation or a proton scattering warhead. In the case of a nuclear reaction it could just be a standard fusion reaction, which would place an upper limit on yield relative to warhead size or a funky, technobabble proton reaction that could theoretical increase the power to size ratio but that is speculation on my part. If proton torpedos are proton scatering warheads I presume they function by throwing a hell of alot of protons at high speeds at their target. If that is the case they could be a potentially deadly weapon. For an idea of the kinetic energy, consider that an electron traveling at near the speed of light has the energy of a pickup truck travelling 100kph. Now protons are more massive and they are small so one could pack a lot into the small warhead.
Now one thing to keep in mind is that just because something has a certain name doesn't mean it uses a certain principle to function. Take turbolasers for example, they are called laser but they are certainly not lasers.
Anyway I hope that helps and if you are still clueless this board is not for you. And as I said earlier in this post, my knowledge of Star Wars isn’t on the same level as other people on this board so what I said about protons may not be accurate.
A photon is the name for a particle of light. Now light is a kind of odd thing, it can be described as a wave in classical physics (theory of relativity, Newton's laws, etc.) and a particle in quantum physics (anything on a really small scale). Light is part of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum that ranges from really long radio waves through a bunch of other frequencies, including visible light, to high energy gamma rays. Now unless you are fucked in the head you should be aware that electromagnetic radiation (light, gamma, radio, etc.) has energy. For example microwaves which are part of the EM spectrum can cook food by transferring energy to the food which is turned into heat. So a photon can transmit energy and theorecticly a photon with an extramely high amount of energy could cause significant damage. Now in the case of photon torpedo matter and anti-matter (matter with an opposite charge) come in contact and react by anhilating into energy (about 89,875 terajoules or 21.5 megatons per kilogram), in the form of gamma rays (high energy photons). In the case of photon torpedos even though the energy isn't released in the most damaging form, when several megatons of energy is released it will still do a hell of a lot of damage, particularly against shields.
Protons on the other hand are positivly charged particles that are found in the nucleus of an atom. Their energy would be in the form of electric attraction (not likely to be used in a weapon) and kinetic energy. I don't know too much about proton torpedos (Star Trek technology is more my area of expetise) but from what I gather they are either a nuclear reation or a proton scattering warhead. In the case of a nuclear reaction it could just be a standard fusion reaction, which would place an upper limit on yield relative to warhead size or a funky, technobabble proton reaction that could theoretical increase the power to size ratio but that is speculation on my part. If proton torpedos are proton scatering warheads I presume they function by throwing a hell of alot of protons at high speeds at their target. If that is the case they could be a potentially deadly weapon. For an idea of the kinetic energy, consider that an electron traveling at near the speed of light has the energy of a pickup truck travelling 100kph. Now protons are more massive and they are small so one could pack a lot into the small warhead.
Now one thing to keep in mind is that just because something has a certain name doesn't mean it uses a certain principle to function. Take turbolasers for example, they are called laser but they are certainly not lasers.
Anyway I hope that helps and if you are still clueless this board is not for you. And as I said earlier in this post, my knowledge of Star Wars isn’t on the same level as other people on this board so what I said about protons may not be accurate.
"Well, I've often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying this is fiction. I mean, walking on water, it takes an act of faith. -Sir Ian McKellen
"When facism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the American flag." - Huey Long
"When facism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the American flag." - Huey Long
Out of SoD; a cute name for the torpedo that is nice and shinney, made of light. In SoD; a moniker. Not all that unlike the out of SoD answer. When fired, they light up all pretty. Why not call them that.Jedi Guardian wrote:I'm sorry i'll try to be better at this. Now what I don't get is that these missiles must have been named so for a reason right? Now correct me if i'm wrong but aren't photons parts of light? First why would they name it that and second, how do you fit a little piece of light into a missile? Now this may sound stupid but if they don't do this, put light in it, then why do they call it that? Same with a proton, i'm not good at neuclear physics but wouldn't that be the same as an atom bomb, maybe smaller? You put all the atoms together and then when the bomb realeses it lets out all that energy. I think that would make more sense than an photon bomb.
MOAB wasn't suppost to mean Mother of All Bombs, but it got the name. How long before they just call it 'Ma' or somthing simular. Same with the Daisey cutter.
Hell, for that matter, Torpedo is a damn fish (ok, a ray technically) does that mean US subs and surface ships shoot out a fish out of the 'fish'tubes?
A phaser rifle probably doesn't have rifling and when Picard say's 'fire' I don't think a crewman is putting a punk to powder.
Simple, why a lot of sci fi naming is technical, it doesn't always mean it has to be. Old traditions carry through and in RL some times names get put on things that make little sense and/or are some sort of inside or industry joke.
I see no reason why a photon torpedo can't be amoung them.
They say, "the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots." I suppose it never occurred to them that they are the tyrants, not the patriots. Those weapons are not being used to fight some kind of tyranny; they are bringing them to an event where people are getting together to talk. -Mike Wong
But as far as board culture in general, I do think that young male overaggression is a contributing factor to the general atmosphere of hostility. It's not SOS and the Mess throwing hand grenades all over the forum- Red
But as far as board culture in general, I do think that young male overaggression is a contributing factor to the general atmosphere of hostility. It's not SOS and the Mess throwing hand grenades all over the forum- Red
Also Captain Photon (an RPG character Tom Paris used to play) wasn't made of light either. Though he did reflect if of course
Actually just as an aside, has this been mentioned before? I was looking at the torp definitions on Wiki and came accross this.. I know on Poes site he goes to some length to point out the borg lack of kinetic shielding, so I suspect some trekies wouldn't like wiki saying this...
Ballistic weaponry
Handheld projectile weapons
By the 24th century, projectile and ballistic weapons are rarely used in combat. Despite this, Starfleet Security developed the TR-116 projectile rifle, a prototype designed to operate in energy dampening fields and radiogenic environments The device was also designed for use against the Borg, who could adapt their personal shields to any energy weapon fired at them.
Actually just as an aside, has this been mentioned before? I was looking at the torp definitions on Wiki and came accross this.. I know on Poes site he goes to some length to point out the borg lack of kinetic shielding, so I suspect some trekies wouldn't like wiki saying this...
Ballistic weaponry
Handheld projectile weapons
By the 24th century, projectile and ballistic weapons are rarely used in combat. Despite this, Starfleet Security developed the TR-116 projectile rifle, a prototype designed to operate in energy dampening fields and radiogenic environments The device was also designed for use against the Borg, who could adapt their personal shields to any energy weapon fired at them.