Is it possible to create light that imparts a greater proportion of its energy as momentum rather than...
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Is it possible to create light that imparts a greater proportion of its energy as momentum rather than heat?
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Is it possible to create light that imparts a greater proportion of its energy as momentum rather than heat?
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$begingroup$
This is yet another question concerning lasers as employed by sorcerers in a particular fantasy setting, but this one pertains to the momentum that photons possess and whether it's possible to generate light that imparts a higher proportion of its energy to an object in the form of momentum, rather than say an increase in temperature. Particularly, I'm concerned with something I read on Physics Stack Exchange:
And here we have it: photons have 'mass' inversely proportional to
their wavelength!
This post is more detailed and is worth reading, but relying on the sentence above, have I completely misunderstood the author by concluding that in order to increase the "momentum imparting" aspect of light, we need light with increasingly shorter wavelengths? In other words, does light with a short wavelength cause less heating, or will that aspect remain constant?
I would like to repeat the question: Is it possible to create light that imparts a greater proportion of its energy as momentum rather than heat?
science-based magic light
edited 10 hours ago
Cyn
11.1k12351
asked 11 hours ago
Red RobinRed Robin
1286
New contributor
Red Robin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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add a comment |
$begingroup$
This is yet another question concerning lasers as employed by sorcerers in a particular fantasy setting, but this one pertains to the momentum that photons possess and whether it's possible to generate light that imparts a higher proportion of its energy to an object in the form of momentum, rather than say an increase in temperature. Particularly, I'm concerned with something I read on Physics Stack Exchange:
And here we have it: photons have 'mass' inversely proportional to
their wavelength!
This post is more detailed and is worth reading, but relying on the sentence above, have I completely misunderstood the author by concluding that in order to increase the "momentum imparting" aspect of light, we need light with increasingly shorter wavelengths? In other words, does light with a short wavelength cause less heating, or will that aspect remain constant?
I would like to repeat the question: Is it possible to create light that imparts a greater proportion of its energy as momentum rather than heat?
science-based magic light
edited 10 hours ago
Cyn
11.1k12351
asked 11 hours ago
Red RobinRed Robin
1286
New contributor
Red Robin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
4
$begingroup$
Momentum is momentum and energy is energy and the two are not the same. You cannot impart not even a tiny little bit of energy as momentum, because the two physical quantities do not have the same dimensionality.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
7 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@Jasper: Angular momentum is $M cdot L^2 cdot T^{-1}$, for example kg·m²/(s·rad). Energy is $M cdot L^2 cdot T^{-2}$, for example kg·m²/s². Not dimensionally equivalent. Fun factoid: in languages such as French, Italian, Romanian or Russian, linear momentum and angular momentum are named with dissimilar words, usually something like impulse or quantity of motion vs. kinetic moment or moment of impulse.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
AlexP --- Oops. Thank you. Torque has the same units as energy.
$endgroup$
– Jasper
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
This is yet another question concerning lasers as employed by sorcerers in a particular fantasy setting, but this one pertains to the momentum that photons possess and whether it's possible to generate light that imparts a higher proportion of its energy to an object in the form of momentum, rather than say an increase in temperature. Particularly, I'm concerned with something I read on Physics Stack Exchange:
And here we have it: photons have 'mass' inversely proportional to
their wavelength!
This post is more detailed and is worth reading, but relying on the sentence above, have I completely misunderstood the author by concluding that in order to increase the "momentum imparting" aspect of light, we need light with increasingly shorter wavelengths? In other words, does light with a short wavelength cause less heating, or will that aspect remain constant?
I would like to repeat the question: Is it possible to create light that imparts a greater proportion of its energy as momentum rather than heat?
science-based magic light
edited 10 hours ago
Cyn
11.1k12351
asked 11 hours ago
Red RobinRed Robin
1286
New contributor
Red Robin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
This is yet another question concerning lasers as employed by sorcerers in a particular fantasy setting, but this one pertains to the momentum that photons possess and whether it's possible to generate light that imparts a higher proportion of its energy to an object in the form of momentum, rather than say an increase in temperature. Particularly, I'm concerned with something I read on Physics Stack Exchange:
And here we have it: photons have 'mass' inversely proportional to
their wavelength!
This post is more detailed and is worth reading, but relying on the sentence above, have I completely misunderstood the author by concluding that in order to increase the "momentum imparting" aspect of light, we need light with increasingly shorter wavelengths? In other words, does light with a short wavelength cause less heating, or will that aspect remain constant?
I would like to repeat the question: Is it possible to create light that imparts a greater proportion of its energy as momentum rather than heat?
science-based magic light
science-based magic light
edited 10 hours ago
Cyn
11.1k12351
asked 11 hours ago
Red RobinRed Robin
1286
New contributor
Red Robin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 10 hours ago
Cyn
11.1k12351
asked 11 hours ago
Red RobinRed Robin
1286
New contributor
Red Robin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 10 hours ago
Cyn
11.1k12351
edited 10 hours ago
Cyn
11.1k12351
edited 10 hours ago
Cyn
11.1k12351
11.1k12351
asked 11 hours ago
Red RobinRed Robin
1286
New contributor
Red Robin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 11 hours ago
Red RobinRed Robin
1286
asked 11 hours ago
Red RobinRed Robin
1286
1286
New contributor
Red Robin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Red Robin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Red Robin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
4
$begingroup$
Momentum is momentum and energy is energy and the two are not the same. You cannot impart not even a tiny little bit of energy as momentum, because the two physical quantities do not have the same dimensionality.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
7 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@Jasper: Angular momentum is $M cdot L^2 cdot T^{-1}$, for example kg·m²/(s·rad). Energy is $M cdot L^2 cdot T^{-2}$, for example kg·m²/s². Not dimensionally equivalent. Fun factoid: in languages such as French, Italian, Romanian or Russian, linear momentum and angular momentum are named with dissimilar words, usually something like impulse or quantity of motion vs. kinetic moment or moment of impulse.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
AlexP --- Oops. Thank you. Torque has the same units as energy.
$endgroup$
– Jasper
1 hour ago
add a comment |
4
$begingroup$
Momentum is momentum and energy is energy and the two are not the same. You cannot impart not even a tiny little bit of energy as momentum, because the two physical quantities do not have the same dimensionality.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
7 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@Jasper: Angular momentum is $M cdot L^2 cdot T^{-1}$, for example kg·m²/(s·rad). Energy is $M cdot L^2 cdot T^{-2}$, for example kg·m²/s². Not dimensionally equivalent. Fun factoid: in languages such as French, Italian, Romanian or Russian, linear momentum and angular momentum are named with dissimilar words, usually something like impulse or quantity of motion vs. kinetic moment or moment of impulse.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
AlexP --- Oops. Thank you. Torque has the same units as energy.
$endgroup$
– Jasper
1 hour ago
4
4
$begingroup$
Momentum is momentum and energy is energy and the two are not the same. You cannot impart not even a tiny little bit of energy as momentum, because the two physical quantities do not have the same dimensionality.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
Momentum is momentum and energy is energy and the two are not the same. You cannot impart not even a tiny little bit of energy as momentum, because the two physical quantities do not have the same dimensionality.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
7 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
@Jasper: Angular momentum is $M cdot L^2 cdot T^{-1}$, for example kg·m²/(s·rad). Energy is $M cdot L^2 cdot T^{-2}$, for example kg·m²/s². Not dimensionally equivalent. Fun factoid: in languages such as French, Italian, Romanian or Russian, linear momentum and angular momentum are named with dissimilar words, usually something like impulse or quantity of motion vs. kinetic moment or moment of impulse.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Jasper: Angular momentum is $M cdot L^2 cdot T^{-1}$, for example kg·m²/(s·rad). Energy is $M cdot L^2 cdot T^{-2}$, for example kg·m²/s². Not dimensionally equivalent. Fun factoid: in languages such as French, Italian, Romanian or Russian, linear momentum and angular momentum are named with dissimilar words, usually something like impulse or quantity of motion vs. kinetic moment or moment of impulse.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
AlexP --- Oops. Thank you. Torque has the same units as energy.
$endgroup$
– Jasper
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
AlexP --- Oops. Thank you. Torque has the same units as energy.
$endgroup$
– Jasper
1 hour ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
No. The momentum of a photon is in direct proportion to its energy. A shorter wavelength of light has both more energy and more momentum in equal proportions.
If you want to maximize imparted momentum while minimizing heating, you need to change not the light, but what it is hitting. A perfect blackbody will absorb all of the momentum of a beam of light, and all of the energy as heat. A perfect mirror, on the other hand, will absorb no energy and experience no heating, but will absorb double the momentum.
answered 10 hours ago
Logan R. KearsleyLogan R. Kearsley
11.7k13258
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
Good, concise answer. As an added note, it's possible to measure the force exerted by light if you have a sensitive enough setup. See this video for an example of the type of setup you need. It's maybe also worth noting that decreasing the wavelength isn't the only way to increase the energy you're imparting in a given unit of time (the power), you can also increase the number of photons. In general: $E_{tot} = hbar omega N_{gamma}$ for some pulse of given duration.
$endgroup$
– realityChemist
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
Wouldn't it have to absorb some energy in order for its momentum to change? A change in momentum implies a change in either velocity or mass, and a change in either of those, as long as the other isn't zero, implies a change in energy.
$endgroup$
– Hearth
9 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@Hearth- the energy does change direction. If it is in one direction then there is a change in net momentum. If it randomly changes the motion of part(icle)s then the momentum is heat (net zero).
$endgroup$
– amI
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Hearth If the mirror moves away from the light, then yes. However, it is entirely possible for light to exert a force, and thus transfer momentum, while doing no work and thus transferring no energy. If the mirror is moving towards the light source, it will actually do work on the light, and thus lose energy.
$endgroup$
– Logan R. Kearsley
5 hours ago
3
$begingroup$
@aml Energy doesn't have any direction, or more accurately , the energy component of an energy-momentum 4 vector is orthogonal to all of the momentum components.
$endgroup$
– Aron
5 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
$begingroup$
As Logan has pointed out. "Light" has some very concrete and specific properties to it.
However. Since we are in World Building and you tagged "magic", I think straying away from the Standard Model would be allowed.
First, a bit of history about the Standard Model. It is filled with "particles" which we have very concrete properties and numbers and mathematical formulae for (plus field equations).
However, in the beginning, these properties weren't known, the formulae and maths was not invented. Even particles weren't a concept. We figured them out from the shadows that they cast into our cave.
Each new effect we gave a new name to; like "Light", "Magnetism", "Heat", "Energy", "Strangeness", "Charmness", "Topness", "Bottomness", "Anti-Red Quantum ChromoDynamics-ness".
Quite simply your world can have all the different effects you want and those effects can be explained away with a new set of fields/particles/equations.
TLDR: Invent a new magical particle called "Qi", make your sorcerers fire "Qi" based "beams" that radiate cherenkov radiation when fired in the atmosphere when they cast the Haduken spell.
answered 8 hours ago
AronAron
923611
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
That certainly helps, not that I was ever going to go into an explanation of the mechanics. I simply wanted to know if it was possible to explain in our universe.
$endgroup$
– Red Robin
8 hours ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
No. The momentum of a photon is in direct proportion to its energy. A shorter wavelength of light has both more energy and more momentum in equal proportions.
If you want to maximize imparted momentum while minimizing heating, you need to change not the light, but what it is hitting. A perfect blackbody will absorb all of the momentum of a beam of light, and all of the energy as heat. A perfect mirror, on the other hand, will absorb no energy and experience no heating, but will absorb double the momentum.
answered 10 hours ago
Logan R. KearsleyLogan R. Kearsley
11.7k13258
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
Good, concise answer. As an added note, it's possible to measure the force exerted by light if you have a sensitive enough setup. See this video for an example of the type of setup you need. It's maybe also worth noting that decreasing the wavelength isn't the only way to increase the energy you're imparting in a given unit of time (the power), you can also increase the number of photons. In general: $E_{tot} = hbar omega N_{gamma}$ for some pulse of given duration.
$endgroup$
– realityChemist
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
Wouldn't it have to absorb some energy in order for its momentum to change? A change in momentum implies a change in either velocity or mass, and a change in either of those, as long as the other isn't zero, implies a change in energy.
$endgroup$
– Hearth
9 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@Hearth- the energy does change direction. If it is in one direction then there is a change in net momentum. If it randomly changes the motion of part(icle)s then the momentum is heat (net zero).
$endgroup$
– amI
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Hearth If the mirror moves away from the light, then yes. However, it is entirely possible for light to exert a force, and thus transfer momentum, while doing no work and thus transferring no energy. If the mirror is moving towards the light source, it will actually do work on the light, and thus lose energy.
$endgroup$
– Logan R. Kearsley
5 hours ago
3
$begingroup$
@aml Energy doesn't have any direction, or more accurately , the energy component of an energy-momentum 4 vector is orthogonal to all of the momentum components.
$endgroup$
– Aron
5 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
$begingroup$
No. The momentum of a photon is in direct proportion to its energy. A shorter wavelength of light has both more energy and more momentum in equal proportions.
If you want to maximize imparted momentum while minimizing heating, you need to change not the light, but what it is hitting. A perfect blackbody will absorb all of the momentum of a beam of light, and all of the energy as heat. A perfect mirror, on the other hand, will absorb no energy and experience no heating, but will absorb double the momentum.
answered 10 hours ago
Logan R. KearsleyLogan R. Kearsley
11.7k13258
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
Good, concise answer. As an added note, it's possible to measure the force exerted by light if you have a sensitive enough setup. See this video for an example of the type of setup you need. It's maybe also worth noting that decreasing the wavelength isn't the only way to increase the energy you're imparting in a given unit of time (the power), you can also increase the number of photons. In general: $E_{tot} = hbar omega N_{gamma}$ for some pulse of given duration.
$endgroup$
– realityChemist
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
Wouldn't it have to absorb some energy in order for its momentum to change? A change in momentum implies a change in either velocity or mass, and a change in either of those, as long as the other isn't zero, implies a change in energy.
$endgroup$
– Hearth
9 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@Hearth- the energy does change direction. If it is in one direction then there is a change in net momentum. If it randomly changes the motion of part(icle)s then the momentum is heat (net zero).
$endgroup$
– amI
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Hearth If the mirror moves away from the light, then yes. However, it is entirely possible for light to exert a force, and thus transfer momentum, while doing no work and thus transferring no energy. If the mirror is moving towards the light source, it will actually do work on the light, and thus lose energy.
$endgroup$
– Logan R. Kearsley
5 hours ago
3
$begingroup$
@aml Energy doesn't have any direction, or more accurately , the energy component of an energy-momentum 4 vector is orthogonal to all of the momentum components.
$endgroup$
– Aron
5 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
$begingroup$
No. The momentum of a photon is in direct proportion to its energy. A shorter wavelength of light has both more energy and more momentum in equal proportions.
If you want to maximize imparted momentum while minimizing heating, you need to change not the light, but what it is hitting. A perfect blackbody will absorb all of the momentum of a beam of light, and all of the energy as heat. A perfect mirror, on the other hand, will absorb no energy and experience no heating, but will absorb double the momentum.
answered 10 hours ago
Logan R. KearsleyLogan R. Kearsley
11.7k13258
$endgroup$
No. The momentum of a photon is in direct proportion to its energy. A shorter wavelength of light has both more energy and more momentum in equal proportions.
If you want to maximize imparted momentum while minimizing heating, you need to change not the light, but what it is hitting. A perfect blackbody will absorb all of the momentum of a beam of light, and all of the energy as heat. A perfect mirror, on the other hand, will absorb no energy and experience no heating, but will absorb double the momentum.
answered 10 hours ago
Logan R. KearsleyLogan R. Kearsley
11.7k13258
answered 10 hours ago
Logan R. KearsleyLogan R. Kearsley
11.7k13258
answered 10 hours ago
Logan R. KearsleyLogan R. Kearsley
11.7k13258
answered 10 hours ago
Logan R. KearsleyLogan R. Kearsley
11.7k13258
11.7k13258
2
$begingroup$
Good, concise answer. As an added note, it's possible to measure the force exerted by light if you have a sensitive enough setup. See this video for an example of the type of setup you need. It's maybe also worth noting that decreasing the wavelength isn't the only way to increase the energy you're imparting in a given unit of time (the power), you can also increase the number of photons. In general: $E_{tot} = hbar omega N_{gamma}$ for some pulse of given duration.
$endgroup$
– realityChemist
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
Wouldn't it have to absorb some energy in order for its momentum to change? A change in momentum implies a change in either velocity or mass, and a change in either of those, as long as the other isn't zero, implies a change in energy.
$endgroup$
– Hearth
9 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@Hearth- the energy does change direction. If it is in one direction then there is a change in net momentum. If it randomly changes the motion of part(icle)s then the momentum is heat (net zero).
$endgroup$
– amI
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Hearth If the mirror moves away from the light, then yes. However, it is entirely possible for light to exert a force, and thus transfer momentum, while doing no work and thus transferring no energy. If the mirror is moving towards the light source, it will actually do work on the light, and thus lose energy.
$endgroup$
– Logan R. Kearsley
5 hours ago
3
$begingroup$
@aml Energy doesn't have any direction, or more accurately , the energy component of an energy-momentum 4 vector is orthogonal to all of the momentum components.
$endgroup$
– Aron
5 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
2
$begingroup$
Good, concise answer. As an added note, it's possible to measure the force exerted by light if you have a sensitive enough setup. See this video for an example of the type of setup you need. It's maybe also worth noting that decreasing the wavelength isn't the only way to increase the energy you're imparting in a given unit of time (the power), you can also increase the number of photons. In general: $E_{tot} = hbar omega N_{gamma}$ for some pulse of given duration.
$endgroup$
– realityChemist
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
Wouldn't it have to absorb some energy in order for its momentum to change? A change in momentum implies a change in either velocity or mass, and a change in either of those, as long as the other isn't zero, implies a change in energy.
$endgroup$
– Hearth
9 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@Hearth- the energy does change direction. If it is in one direction then there is a change in net momentum. If it randomly changes the motion of part(icle)s then the momentum is heat (net zero).
$endgroup$
– amI
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Hearth If the mirror moves away from the light, then yes. However, it is entirely possible for light to exert a force, and thus transfer momentum, while doing no work and thus transferring no energy. If the mirror is moving towards the light source, it will actually do work on the light, and thus lose energy.
$endgroup$
– Logan R. Kearsley
5 hours ago
3
$begingroup$
@aml Energy doesn't have any direction, or more accurately , the energy component of an energy-momentum 4 vector is orthogonal to all of the momentum components.
$endgroup$
– Aron
5 hours ago
2
2
$begingroup$
Good, concise answer. As an added note, it's possible to measure the force exerted by light if you have a sensitive enough setup. See this video for an example of the type of setup you need. It's maybe also worth noting that decreasing the wavelength isn't the only way to increase the energy you're imparting in a given unit of time (the power), you can also increase the number of photons. In general: $E_{tot} = hbar omega N_{gamma}$ for some pulse of given duration.
$endgroup$
– realityChemist
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
Good, concise answer. As an added note, it's possible to measure the force exerted by light if you have a sensitive enough setup. See this video for an example of the type of setup you need. It's maybe also worth noting that decreasing the wavelength isn't the only way to increase the energy you're imparting in a given unit of time (the power), you can also increase the number of photons. In general: $E_{tot} = hbar omega N_{gamma}$ for some pulse of given duration.
$endgroup$
– realityChemist
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
Wouldn't it have to absorb some energy in order for its momentum to change? A change in momentum implies a change in either velocity or mass, and a change in either of those, as long as the other isn't zero, implies a change in energy.
$endgroup$
– Hearth
9 hours ago
$begingroup$
Wouldn't it have to absorb some energy in order for its momentum to change? A change in momentum implies a change in either velocity or mass, and a change in either of those, as long as the other isn't zero, implies a change in energy.
$endgroup$
– Hearth
9 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
@Hearth- the energy does change direction. If it is in one direction then there is a change in net momentum. If it randomly changes the motion of part(icle)s then the momentum is heat (net zero).
$endgroup$
– amI
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Hearth- the energy does change direction. If it is in one direction then there is a change in net momentum. If it randomly changes the motion of part(icle)s then the momentum is heat (net zero).
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– amI
7 hours ago
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@Hearth If the mirror moves away from the light, then yes. However, it is entirely possible for light to exert a force, and thus transfer momentum, while doing no work and thus transferring no energy. If the mirror is moving towards the light source, it will actually do work on the light, and thus lose energy.
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– Logan R. Kearsley
5 hours ago
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@Hearth If the mirror moves away from the light, then yes. However, it is entirely possible for light to exert a force, and thus transfer momentum, while doing no work and thus transferring no energy. If the mirror is moving towards the light source, it will actually do work on the light, and thus lose energy.
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– Logan R. Kearsley
5 hours ago
3
3
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@aml Energy doesn't have any direction, or more accurately , the energy component of an energy-momentum 4 vector is orthogonal to all of the momentum components.
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– Aron
5 hours ago
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@aml Energy doesn't have any direction, or more accurately , the energy component of an energy-momentum 4 vector is orthogonal to all of the momentum components.
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– Aron
5 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
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As Logan has pointed out. "Light" has some very concrete and specific properties to it.
However. Since we are in World Building and you tagged "magic", I think straying away from the Standard Model would be allowed.
First, a bit of history about the Standard Model. It is filled with "particles" which we have very concrete properties and numbers and mathematical formulae for (plus field equations).
However, in the beginning, these properties weren't known, the formulae and maths was not invented. Even particles weren't a concept. We figured them out from the shadows that they cast into our cave.
Each new effect we gave a new name to; like "Light", "Magnetism", "Heat", "Energy", "Strangeness", "Charmness", "Topness", "Bottomness", "Anti-Red Quantum ChromoDynamics-ness".
Quite simply your world can have all the different effects you want and those effects can be explained away with a new set of fields/particles/equations.
TLDR: Invent a new magical particle called "Qi", make your sorcerers fire "Qi" based "beams" that radiate cherenkov radiation when fired in the atmosphere when they cast the Haduken spell.
answered 8 hours ago
AronAron
923611
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That certainly helps, not that I was ever going to go into an explanation of the mechanics. I simply wanted to know if it was possible to explain in our universe.
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– Red Robin
8 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
As Logan has pointed out. "Light" has some very concrete and specific properties to it.
However. Since we are in World Building and you tagged "magic", I think straying away from the Standard Model would be allowed.
First, a bit of history about the Standard Model. It is filled with "particles" which we have very concrete properties and numbers and mathematical formulae for (plus field equations).
However, in the beginning, these properties weren't known, the formulae and maths was not invented. Even particles weren't a concept. We figured them out from the shadows that they cast into our cave.
Each new effect we gave a new name to; like "Light", "Magnetism", "Heat", "Energy", "Strangeness", "Charmness", "Topness", "Bottomness", "Anti-Red Quantum ChromoDynamics-ness".
Quite simply your world can have all the different effects you want and those effects can be explained away with a new set of fields/particles/equations.
TLDR: Invent a new magical particle called "Qi", make your sorcerers fire "Qi" based "beams" that radiate cherenkov radiation when fired in the atmosphere when they cast the Haduken spell.
answered 8 hours ago
AronAron
923611
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
That certainly helps, not that I was ever going to go into an explanation of the mechanics. I simply wanted to know if it was possible to explain in our universe.
$endgroup$
– Red Robin
8 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
As Logan has pointed out. "Light" has some very concrete and specific properties to it.
However. Since we are in World Building and you tagged "magic", I think straying away from the Standard Model would be allowed.
First, a bit of history about the Standard Model. It is filled with "particles" which we have very concrete properties and numbers and mathematical formulae for (plus field equations).
However, in the beginning, these properties weren't known, the formulae and maths was not invented. Even particles weren't a concept. We figured them out from the shadows that they cast into our cave.
Each new effect we gave a new name to; like "Light", "Magnetism", "Heat", "Energy", "Strangeness", "Charmness", "Topness", "Bottomness", "Anti-Red Quantum ChromoDynamics-ness".
Quite simply your world can have all the different effects you want and those effects can be explained away with a new set of fields/particles/equations.
TLDR: Invent a new magical particle called "Qi", make your sorcerers fire "Qi" based "beams" that radiate cherenkov radiation when fired in the atmosphere when they cast the Haduken spell.
answered 8 hours ago
AronAron
923611
$endgroup$
As Logan has pointed out. "Light" has some very concrete and specific properties to it.
However. Since we are in World Building and you tagged "magic", I think straying away from the Standard Model would be allowed.
First, a bit of history about the Standard Model. It is filled with "particles" which we have very concrete properties and numbers and mathematical formulae for (plus field equations).
However, in the beginning, these properties weren't known, the formulae and maths was not invented. Even particles weren't a concept. We figured them out from the shadows that they cast into our cave.
Each new effect we gave a new name to; like "Light", "Magnetism", "Heat", "Energy", "Strangeness", "Charmness", "Topness", "Bottomness", "Anti-Red Quantum ChromoDynamics-ness".
Quite simply your world can have all the different effects you want and those effects can be explained away with a new set of fields/particles/equations.
TLDR: Invent a new magical particle called "Qi", make your sorcerers fire "Qi" based "beams" that radiate cherenkov radiation when fired in the atmosphere when they cast the Haduken spell.
answered 8 hours ago
AronAron
923611
answered 8 hours ago
AronAron
923611
answered 8 hours ago
AronAron
923611
answered 8 hours ago
AronAron
923611
923611
$begingroup$
That certainly helps, not that I was ever going to go into an explanation of the mechanics. I simply wanted to know if it was possible to explain in our universe.
$endgroup$
– Red Robin
8 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
That certainly helps, not that I was ever going to go into an explanation of the mechanics. I simply wanted to know if it was possible to explain in our universe.
$endgroup$
– Red Robin
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
That certainly helps, not that I was ever going to go into an explanation of the mechanics. I simply wanted to know if it was possible to explain in our universe.
$endgroup$
– Red Robin
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
That certainly helps, not that I was ever going to go into an explanation of the mechanics. I simply wanted to know if it was possible to explain in our universe.
$endgroup$
– Red Robin
8 hours ago
add a comment |
Red Robin is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Red Robin is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Red Robin is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Red Robin is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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4
$begingroup$
Momentum is momentum and energy is energy and the two are not the same. You cannot impart not even a tiny little bit of energy as momentum, because the two physical quantities do not have the same dimensionality.
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– AlexP
7 hours ago
1
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@Jasper: Angular momentum is $M cdot L^2 cdot T^{-1}$, for example kg·m²/(s·rad). Energy is $M cdot L^2 cdot T^{-2}$, for example kg·m²/s². Not dimensionally equivalent. Fun factoid: in languages such as French, Italian, Romanian or Russian, linear momentum and angular momentum are named with dissimilar words, usually something like impulse or quantity of motion vs. kinetic moment or moment of impulse.
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– AlexP
2 hours ago
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AlexP --- Oops. Thank you. Torque has the same units as energy.
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– Jasper
1 hour ago