Back to the Future Vs a photon torp

2000AD · Post by **2000AD** » 2002-09-29 06:26pm

IIRC the delorian time machine from Back to the Future requires 1.21 GW to get it's time travel mechanism to work. This is, over the course of the movies provided by:
1) Some weapon grade uranium/plutonium (can't remeber which) (twice)
2) A lightning strike (twice)
3) Common garbage, using a Mister Fusion power generator from the year 2025. (at least seven times)

Now a standard photon torp releases 64 MT in approx. a tenth of a second. If my calcs are correct this gives a photon torp at 640 MW.

If this is right we can say that 1985 weapon grade Uranium and lightning strikes give off more power than a photon torp. Not exactly a massive increase in weapon technology between present day and ST then.

If this isn't right can someone correct me.

Otherwise discuss.

Post by **Mr Bean** » 2002-09-29 06:36pm

I think you screwed up your MW to tonnage conversion is what I think

2000AD · Post by **2000AD** » 2002-09-29 06:41pm

probably. it's just ment for a laugh anyway.
Anyone care to correct?

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2002-09-29 07:40pm

Steam also seems to have been used twice

It seems like Photon torpedos would do more damage if they fell on a person then if they exploded next to him some days.

2000AD · Post by **2000AD** » 2002-09-30 07:30pm

IIRC the steam you are refering to is the steam engine used in BTTF3. This wan't actually powering the timetravel device. it was getting the car up to speed because they had no gas/petrol.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2002-09-30 10:24pm

1.21 jigawatts, not 1.21 gigawatts.