raiche@dartvax.UUCP (George A. Raiche) (12/13/84)
We all know that antimatter is a difficult material to handle; contact with any matter (even gases) produces an, uh, energetic reaction. From "Obsession": "Imagine--an ounce of antimatter, more powerful than 10 000 cobalt bombs." Also , we're told that the resulting blast will "rip half the atmosphere from the planet." Remember that this antimatter was drained from the warp drive--presumably Enterprise carries much more than an ounce. (Someone else can argue for the definition of an ounce of antimatter.) So the reaction of all the antimatter carried by Enterprise would produce a big bang indeed, if not moderated. Now the problem with antimatter is that you can't store it in a reactive container i.e. a container made of matter; even Teflon coated polyethylene is out. Fortunately, it is possible to create electromagnetic (and even gravitational-field) "bottles" which can effectively isolate the antimatter from contact with any matter. All you need is the FIELD GENERATOR, and a POWER SUPPLY. So now the warp drive is damaged beyond repair, the Klingons are coming, and you'd like to abandon ship. You'll initiate a sequence of commands that will effectively destroy your ship--let's say you set off "controlled" explosions on the bridge, computer center, engineering, etc. These ex- plosions will disrupt power supplies. But what happens to the antimatter field-isolation bottles, and the antimatter stored in them?? B O O M !! Once you destroy your ship, you destroy the only thing that keeps your matter and antimatter apart. PLEASE don't argue that the field bottle would survive the self-destuct; electromagnetic bottles are difficult at best to maintain, and are notorious for their power consumption! And remember--the field-generating equipment has to be OUTSIDE this force field, or else! One bonus, however; you wouldn't need a distress signal!! Cheerfully ruining everyone's day, George Raiche Dept. of Chemistry Dartmouth "Take great care; the police are everywhere!"
tli@uscvax.UUCP (Tony Li) (12/15/84)
> So now the warp drive is damaged beyond repair, the Klingons are coming, and > you'd like to abandon ship. You'll initiate a sequence of commands that > will effectively destroy your ship--let's say you set off "controlled" > explosions on the bridge, computer center, engineering, etc. These ex- > plosions will disrupt power supplies. But what happens to the antimatter > field-isolation bottles, and the antimatter stored in them?? > > B O O M !! > > Once you destroy your ship, you destroy the only thing that keeps your > matter and antimatter apart. PLEASE don't argue that the field bottle > would survive the self-destuct; electromagnetic bottles are difficult > at best to maintain, and are notorious for their power consumption! And > remember--the field-generating equipment has to be OUTSIDE this force > field, or else! > > George Raiche Right. So now Kirk sets off this 'limited' self-destruct system, and it blows up the bridge and half of the hull. The Enterprise spirals in, and as it impacts, the field bottles collapse, and (to quote) > B O O M !! Up goes the Enterprise, the Klingons, and the rest of the planet. Nah! That's not touching. The Enterprise has to go out looking like a derelict instead of a small star. Foo. So much for realism... Sigh. Tony ;-) -- Tony Li ;-) Usc Computer Science Uucp: {sdcrdcf,randvax}!uscvax!tli Csnet: tli@usc-cse.csnet Arpa: tli@usc-ecl
derek@uwvax.UUCP (Derek Zahn) (12/17/84)
Hmm... Perhaps the fabled "dilithium crystals" (described as 'cosmic
spark plugs' or some such nonsense) are the key. Suppose there is a
device that uses dilithium crystals and other assorted stuff in Scotty's
dept. which "transmutes" some form of normal matter into antimatter.
Then there would continually be only a small amount of antimatter actually
aboard the Enterprise at any given time.
This would explain many things. When the Enterprise destructs, only the
amount of antimatter currently being used (presumably small) would go
FOOM. Also, as the dilithium crystals deteriorated, the ability to
produce antimatter would go down, and thus leave the Enterprise unable
to use its warp engines. When kirk needed a bunch of antimatter to
blow off half a planet's atmosphere, just crank up the converter for a
while and drain off the excess antimatter.
Presumably, Those In Charge would desire that there be a minimum of
antimatter overhead, to minimize the possible damage in the event of
an accident near an inhabited planet. What do you think?
derek (These opinions are mine only, not necessarily those of Starfleet
Command)
"I'm a doctor, not a scriptwriter!"
--
Derek Zahn @ wisconsin
...!{allegra,heurikon,ihnp4,seismo,sfwin,ucbvax,uwm-evax}!uwvax!derek
derek@wisc-rsch.arpaherbie@watdcsu.UUCP (Herb Chong, Computing Services) (12/18/84)
everything i have ever read and everything i have ever seen in the tv series
has always indicated that the dilithium crystals control the power from a
matter/antimatter reaction. they do NOT generate antimatter.
Herb Chong...
I'm user-friendly -- I don't byte, I nybble....
UUCP: {decvax|utzoo|ihnp4|allegra|clyde}!watmath!watdcsu!herbielinwood@jett.UUCP (12/24/84)
.
Well I think they control the matter/anti-matter reaction with the
same principle as they control a nuclear reaction at a modern nuclear
power plant. It is the fact that a matter/anti-matter reaction is
more powerful than a nuclear one. I would guess that the dialithium
crystals act a the same manner as control rods ......
- Linwood Varney (Jett Unix System, Huntsville, AL)
{ihnp4|cbosgd|akgua}!jett!linwood
"Kirk to Enterprise......Come in Enterprise......Enterprise are you there?"