Science

DetlefK

(16,670 posts)

10. The problem isn't energy. Problem is, you can't build a magnetic bottle with just one magnet.

Fri May 18, 2012, 06:55 PM

May 2012

As I said, you need a magnetic field of a very specific configuration for a cylinder-like magnetic bottle: Each end where the plasma could leak out has to be capped by a locally strong magnetic field and it just doesn't work without another magnet. The plasma-lightsaber you proposed does not work with the laws of electromagnetism as we know them.

And for the plasma: Modern light-bulbs work with ionized gas. Please touch one while it's turned on and then tell me whether you want to wield a close-combat-weapon that's 1000 times hotter.

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Self-bending light boomerangs [View all] n2doc May 2012 OP

I'll believe it when I have my lightsaber. n/t. ElboRuum May 2012 #1

If you throw it, will it come back? DetlefK May 2012 #2

They do in Lucasarts-licensed video games. laconicsax May 2012 #3

Not in the movies. DetlefK May 2012 #4

Not really what I meant... ElboRuum May 2012 #5

A plasma-lightsaber wouldn't work with just one hilt. DetlefK May 2012 #7

I am basing this on the premise... ElboRuum May 2012 #8

The problem isn't energy. Problem is, you can't build a magnetic bottle with just one magnet. DetlefK May 2012 #10

According to the lightsaber entry on Wookiepedia... laconicsax May 2012 #11

So, it's a scifi-force-field, not a real-world magnetic bottle. DetlefK May 2012 #12

Well the question of what happens when you turn it off is answered in the movies. laconicsax May 2012 #13

Light Sabers! Hawkowl May 2012 #6

No Way! ElboRuum May 2012 #9