General > Discussion
Pulse rifle?
DuKe2112:
hmm, as far as I know lighning guns would be impossible even in scifi as electricity always needs to close a circuit.
GopherLemming:
--- Quote from: DuKe2112 on March 26, 2009, 12:40:05 pm ---hmm, as far as I know lighning guns would be impossible even in scifi as electricity always needs to close a circuit.
--- End quote ---
That's just asking for me to correct :).
Current doesn't need a circuit to flow. What is needed is an object with an opposite charge. Even in ordinary circuits such as a torch, the electricity isn't being forced round. It is attracted to the positively charged end of the battery and the shortest path is through the wires and bulb.
Example: lightning, Static builds in a cloud until it reaches the critical voltage needed to travel to the positively charged earth.
Captain Bipto:
Correct me if I am wrong but the Electrolaser uses a laser to create an ionized channel between the emitter and the target which the electricity travels along.
Valis:
--- Quote from: Captain Bipto on March 26, 2009, 07:48:15 pm ---Correct me if I am wrong but the Electrolaser uses a laser to create an ionized channel between the emitter and the target which the electricity travels along.
--- End quote ---
I think that is the idea, yes. The electrons of the lightning travel always on the least resistant path[does not have to be a straight line, hence the shape of the lightning in nature]. The laser creates a path of ionized air so the electrons can 'hop over' to the target and not to other objects that are closer to the emitter.
The object also doesn't have to have an oposite charge. It only has to have a different potential, as electrical potentials always seek an equilibrium.
Captain Bipto:
I think this sort of weapon is the way to go for stunning. The proposal states it is a heavy weapon and I like the fact it can be a potentially lethal weapon. :-[
Tranquilizer darts I do not think would be plausible (unless they are rocket assisted or something!) just because of armor, range and rate of fire. If they were that awesome we'd be using them in Iraq instead of those microwave emitters.
Gas is cool, especially because it is story justified due to examination of alien breathing implants and live alien "guests".
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