Science fiction movies sometimes take place in space and contain scenes where things explode very loudly and brightly. Why is this unrealistic?
1. The pressure in space would keep explosions from being very large
2. Large explosions are more likely to create seismic waves, not sound and light
3. Matter is needed to transmit sound waves
4. Light waves cannot travel through the vacuum of space
All of the above reasons contribute to the unrealistic portrayal of explosions in space in science fiction movies.
1. The absence of air or any gas molecules in space means that explosions would not produce the same kind of shockwaves and expanding fireballs as they do on Earth. Without the presence of air to carry the force, the size and intensity of explosions in space would be limited.
2. In reality, large explosions generate seismic waves that travel through the Earth's surface, causing vibrations. These waves are not accompanied by the loud sound and bright light seen in movies. In the absence of an atmosphere, there would be no material medium for seismic waves to propagate through.
3. Sound waves require a medium to travel through, such as air, water, or solids. In the vacuum of space where there is no matter, sound waves cannot be transmitted, so there would be no explosive sound.
4. Light waves can only travel through a medium such as gases, liquids, or solids. In space, where there is a vacuum, there is no medium for light waves to propagate through. As a result, explosions in space would not produce any visible light beyond the immediate vicinity of the explosion itself.
Therefore, the depiction of explosions in space with loud noises and vibrant light in science fiction movies is unrealistic due to the difference in conditions and physical properties of space compared to Earth.