Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Science Fact or Cinematic Fiction?
If Sir Isaac Newton watched today's action packed movies he would certainly be convinced that his teachings went to the grave with him. His laws of motions are most often ignored in most action movies, let alone movies at large. Making things realistic looking does not matter as much as telling the story, no matter what the cost. Whether things hover inexplicably, or midgets beat up giants, directors strive for entertainment rather than credibility. Unless, that is, the credibility makes for good entertainment. Newton's third law of motion states that when an object exerts a force on another object, that other object will exert an equal amount of force in the opposite direction, on the original force. The movies 300, First Strike, and Cast Away are prime examples of a violation of Newton's third law of motion.
In the movie 300 the Spartans display a great amount of strength, so much so that at times they defy the laws of physics. Specifically, Newton's third law of motion. In their first clash with the Persian warriors they annihilate each one of them with their diligent fighting. During this first battle scene, King Leonidas is shown slashing his sword and stabbing individuals with his spear. His tremendous amount of strength can not go unsurpassed because of the damage he inflicts on each Persian running towards him. The extent of damage he causes is exagerated if you look at it up closely. When he throws his spear at an enemy it throws him backwards as it impales his chest. This would be highly unlikely considering the amount of inertia each object has. The Persian running towards the spear would weigh significantly more than the spear and therefore would keep travelling in his own path of action. Instead, upon impact the spear sends the warrior slightly backwards. To understand this we must look at the force exerted by each object. Force is determined by multiplying the mass of an object by its acceleration. Although the spear was undergoing a greater acceleration, its mass is only a small fraction of the mass of the warrior. The greater mass of the warrior far outweighs the acceleration factor. Therefore, for it to seem more realistic the warrior should have kept travelling forward a little bit.
In the crash scene of Cast Away, the way that the aircraft and the things inside of it behave upon impact is improperly presented. The airborne objects, that comprise the airplane and everything inside, would have suffered a worse demise than what is shown. The water does not seem to exert an equal force on the plane. There are a series of clues that reveal what would have truly been the fate of the plane and its contents. For starters, the speed of which the water flows into the aircraft we can deduce that it was travelling at high velocities and at a sharp angle to the water's surface. With these factors in mind it is hard to imagine that anything other than the pulverization of the plane would have resulted upon impact. The very slowest a 737 aircraft can fly at is around 150 miles per hours, otherwise it will stall. In this scenario we see the nose of the aircraft pointed downwards at an angle that indicates that the plane would have to be travelling faster. Therefore we know that it had to be travelling towards the water at atleast 150 miles per hour. The terminal velocity of a falling human is approximately 120 miles per hour and it proves fatal. Although the plane's fuselage would provide as a buffer for the people inside of it the change in speed upon impact would likely greatly injure, if not kill the passengers. We must not fail to remember that hitting water at high speeds is like hitting a concrete wall because the water has not a sufficient amount of time to move around the object and allow for a smooth impact. In this scenario this factor is especially the case considering the speed at which the plane hits the ocean water.
The closing action scene of the movie First Strike exemplifies a violation of physical laws perfectly. Jackie Chan, intent to rescue a hostage being taken away by a boat, pursues it by car and hits a ramp perfectly placed to project the car onto the boat. Upon the car's impact with the boat it merely crashes through the boat's top deck, not causing half the amount of damage it normally should have. Considering that an average car weighs about a ton and that it was travelling at high speeds to reach a height of over twenty feet, the force exerted by the car onto the boat would have been much greater. It would make more sense if the boat was completely totalled, if not damaged significantly more. The main forces we are looking at are that of the car on the boat, and that of the boat on the car, which should be equal. Although it has been pointed out the damage altogether should be much greater, the car should be especially more crushed up to show that the boat exerted an equal force upon it. Never the less, when determining what two objects are to be exerting equal forces on one another we may get confused as to what other contributing factors may have an influence. For instance the water below the boat's hull is receiving a force from the car because the car hits the boat which hits the water. In turn, the water exerts a force back. Therefore it might be safer to say that the force of the car is equal to the force exerted by the boat and water.
Movie directors are all about doing everything it takes to make a movie as entertaining as possible, even if it means making sacrifices. In the previously mentioned movies, the sacrifices made were in respect to Isaac Newton's third law of motion. The two objects that come into contact in each scenario should exert equal forces on one another. However they were off in each case, and for different reasons. For 300, the Spartans exerted greater forces on others to enhance the feeling that they are mighty and strong. In the case of Cast Away, the movie would not have had much content if Tom Hanks' character had died so early on in the movie as he should have, considering the laws of physics. Finally, we have First Strike, in which the movie would have had no conclusion if the boat and car had suffered total destruction as they should have. These intentional imperfections are noticeable in countless movies, all it takes is too lend a careful eye.
In the movie 300 the Spartans display a great amount of strength, so much so that at times they defy the laws of physics. Specifically, Newton's third law of motion. In their first clash with the Persian warriors they annihilate each one of them with their diligent fighting. During this first battle scene, King Leonidas is shown slashing his sword and stabbing individuals with his spear. His tremendous amount of strength can not go unsurpassed because of the damage he inflicts on each Persian running towards him. The extent of damage he causes is exagerated if you look at it up closely. When he throws his spear at an enemy it throws him backwards as it impales his chest. This would be highly unlikely considering the amount of inertia each object has. The Persian running towards the spear would weigh significantly more than the spear and therefore would keep travelling in his own path of action. Instead, upon impact the spear sends the warrior slightly backwards. To understand this we must look at the force exerted by each object. Force is determined by multiplying the mass of an object by its acceleration. Although the spear was undergoing a greater acceleration, its mass is only a small fraction of the mass of the warrior. The greater mass of the warrior far outweighs the acceleration factor. Therefore, for it to seem more realistic the warrior should have kept travelling forward a little bit.
In the crash scene of Cast Away, the way that the aircraft and the things inside of it behave upon impact is improperly presented. The airborne objects, that comprise the airplane and everything inside, would have suffered a worse demise than what is shown. The water does not seem to exert an equal force on the plane. There are a series of clues that reveal what would have truly been the fate of the plane and its contents. For starters, the speed of which the water flows into the aircraft we can deduce that it was travelling at high velocities and at a sharp angle to the water's surface. With these factors in mind it is hard to imagine that anything other than the pulverization of the plane would have resulted upon impact. The very slowest a 737 aircraft can fly at is around 150 miles per hours, otherwise it will stall. In this scenario we see the nose of the aircraft pointed downwards at an angle that indicates that the plane would have to be travelling faster. Therefore we know that it had to be travelling towards the water at atleast 150 miles per hour. The terminal velocity of a falling human is approximately 120 miles per hour and it proves fatal. Although the plane's fuselage would provide as a buffer for the people inside of it the change in speed upon impact would likely greatly injure, if not kill the passengers. We must not fail to remember that hitting water at high speeds is like hitting a concrete wall because the water has not a sufficient amount of time to move around the object and allow for a smooth impact. In this scenario this factor is especially the case considering the speed at which the plane hits the ocean water.
The closing action scene of the movie First Strike exemplifies a violation of physical laws perfectly. Jackie Chan, intent to rescue a hostage being taken away by a boat, pursues it by car and hits a ramp perfectly placed to project the car onto the boat. Upon the car's impact with the boat it merely crashes through the boat's top deck, not causing half the amount of damage it normally should have. Considering that an average car weighs about a ton and that it was travelling at high speeds to reach a height of over twenty feet, the force exerted by the car onto the boat would have been much greater. It would make more sense if the boat was completely totalled, if not damaged significantly more. The main forces we are looking at are that of the car on the boat, and that of the boat on the car, which should be equal. Although it has been pointed out the damage altogether should be much greater, the car should be especially more crushed up to show that the boat exerted an equal force upon it. Never the less, when determining what two objects are to be exerting equal forces on one another we may get confused as to what other contributing factors may have an influence. For instance the water below the boat's hull is receiving a force from the car because the car hits the boat which hits the water. In turn, the water exerts a force back. Therefore it might be safer to say that the force of the car is equal to the force exerted by the boat and water.
Movie directors are all about doing everything it takes to make a movie as entertaining as possible, even if it means making sacrifices. In the previously mentioned movies, the sacrifices made were in respect to Isaac Newton's third law of motion. The two objects that come into contact in each scenario should exert equal forces on one another. However they were off in each case, and for different reasons. For 300, the Spartans exerted greater forces on others to enhance the feeling that they are mighty and strong. In the case of Cast Away, the movie would not have had much content if Tom Hanks' character had died so early on in the movie as he should have, considering the laws of physics. Finally, we have First Strike, in which the movie would have had no conclusion if the boat and car had suffered total destruction as they should have. These intentional imperfections are noticeable in countless movies, all it takes is too lend a careful eye.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Outline for Second Term Paper
Misrepresentation of Newton's 3rd Law of Motion in action scenes from movies 300, First Strike, and Cast Away.
I. Introduction
What Newton's 3rd law of motion entails.
It is easy for the eye to catch on when the law is not considered for action scenes.
My Thesis
II. Supporting Topic 1- 300
Law is ignored to give hierarachy to forces (ie- one is much stronger than the other, therefore even the law physics will not get in its way)
First attack scene against the persians- spear is thrown in such a way that the force exerted is not sufficient to do as much damage as it appears.
Man impaled comes to a stop. His inertia and Newton's 3rd law would support that he would continue travelling in same direction despite being stabbed by spear from opposite direction.
III. Supporting Topic 2- First Strike
Car hits ramp at high speed and lands on slower boat.
If Newton's 3rd law was considered in this scene the damage would have been much worse and car would have continued further in its action path.
Law of motion is ignored because otherwise the boat would have certainly been completely destroyed and so would have happened to the car and Jackie Chan.
Supporting Topic 3- Cast Away
Upon impact, when the cargo aircraft hits the water, Tom hanks would travel forward- opposite the direction of the in-flowing ocean water.
737 flies at minimal speed of 150 miles per hour and it was certainly going much faster and at such an angle to the water that it would have meant complete destruction.
The change in motion would have pulverised Tom Hanks' character.
V. Conclusion
Law of motion is not considered to enhance dramatic feel or to keep story on track.
If everything were so realistic movies would not be as enjoyable.
I. Introduction
What Newton's 3rd law of motion entails.
It is easy for the eye to catch on when the law is not considered for action scenes.
My Thesis
II. Supporting Topic 1- 300
Law is ignored to give hierarachy to forces (ie- one is much stronger than the other, therefore even the law physics will not get in its way)
First attack scene against the persians- spear is thrown in such a way that the force exerted is not sufficient to do as much damage as it appears.
Man impaled comes to a stop. His inertia and Newton's 3rd law would support that he would continue travelling in same direction despite being stabbed by spear from opposite direction.
III. Supporting Topic 2- First Strike
Car hits ramp at high speed and lands on slower boat.
If Newton's 3rd law was considered in this scene the damage would have been much worse and car would have continued further in its action path.
Law of motion is ignored because otherwise the boat would have certainly been completely destroyed and so would have happened to the car and Jackie Chan.
Supporting Topic 3- Cast Away
Upon impact, when the cargo aircraft hits the water, Tom hanks would travel forward- opposite the direction of the in-flowing ocean water.
737 flies at minimal speed of 150 miles per hour and it was certainly going much faster and at such an angle to the water that it would have meant complete destruction.
The change in motion would have pulverised Tom Hanks' character.
V. Conclusion
Law of motion is not considered to enhance dramatic feel or to keep story on track.
If everything were so realistic movies would not be as enjoyable.
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