Amount of Energy Possible

[oberon]

The amount of energy in the universe is constant, by the number of atoms present, about 10^80. How does this affect real-world calculations of all these jillions of starboats releasing jillions of gigajouleses? Is it feasible to have such incredibly energetic events happening?

[Darth Yoshi]

I believe that falls under "suspension of disbelief."

[Master of Ossus]

I believe that falls under "suspension of disbelief."

Perfect answer, Darth Yoshi. We suspend our disbelief at how much energy is relesaed by many of these starships. Also, the amount of power in the universe is spectacular. It is also possible that many of these universes know of power sources that do not actually involve matter or energy from their universe (I know it's far-fetched, but it is a possible explanation). I think it best if we just suspend our disbelief on this issue.

[Admiral Valdemar]

Well energy in particle weapons is caused simply by the speed the particles move at, so a limited amount os plasma heated to extreme temps will produce plenty of energy and not need half the universe.

Besides, the universe is a big place, do you think we'll need 1e80 sized weapons? If we did, then this problem wouldn't be a worry anyway.

[Darth Wong]

The amount of energy in the universe is constant, by the number of atoms present, about 10^80. How does this affect real-world calculations of all these jillions of starboats releasing jillions of gigajouleses? Is it feasible to have such incredibly energetic events happening?

What's the problem? Even a 1E38 joule event like the Death Star's destruction of Alderaan is utterly insignificant when compared to the overall power output of a single galaxy over a day, and there are countless galaxies.

[Captain Hornblower]

The power output of the following.....

Galaxy (Milky Way) = 8E46J per year
Universe = 1E55J per year
Universe = ~1E70J since creation

If the DS could fire its main weapon once a minute, it would take the DS 1500 years to equal the output of the the Milky Way.

[Master of Ossus]

On the other hand, ships have been using power in SW for thousands of years. The point is well taken, however. There is not necessarily an inconsistency, and if there is we can chalk it up to suspension of disbelief.

[SPOOFE]

That's why it's nice that sci-fi can invent "sub dimensions" like hyperspace or subspace. Simply explain that hypermatter reactors take the bulk of their energy from hyperspace and leave it at that.

[oberon]

Well, first off, lemme say thanks to the useful replies, i.e., the ones that did not call up the "suspension of disbelief" argument. For the ones who referred to that one, that would be the reason I qualified my question with the words "real world." Now moving right along, I am dismayed that Wong's first words are "what's the problem?" I am not sure that I implied that I had one. I asked a simple question, and the answer doesn't need the preface "what's the problem?" Now, we have a few good numbers, that's what I was seeking. Of course, if I simply looked it up first, this post wouldn't be here and you would be deprived of one more opportunity to flame. But I digress, for now we have a few numbers. However, those seem to refer to a few isolated events, such as one DS or one galaxy. I'm talking about a potentially larger galaxy than ours, filled with transports that spit out ungodly amounts of energy. It was simply that, a question. Thanks. Nice Mullet Wayne

[SPOOFE]

Hey, calm down, buckaroo. Nobody's flaming you.

Keep in mind what Dodonna said in ANH... that the DS carried a firepower greater than half the starfleet. So just multiply Wong's DS calcs by two.

[Grand Admiral Thrawn]

The power output of the following.....

Galaxy (Milky Way) = 8E46J per year
Universe = 1E55J per year
Universe = ~1E70J since creation

If the DS could fire its main weapon once a minute, it would take the DS 1500 years to equal the output of the the Milky Way.

Heh. The Culture's highend calcs place it higher then the universe per year

[Master of Ossus]

Hey, calm down, buckaroo. Nobody's flaming you.

Keep in mind what Dodonna said in ANH... that the DS carried a firepower greater than half the starfleet. So just multiply Wong's DS calcs by two.

But then you have to add in all of the power that is being consumed domestically, or for ground and naval forces.

[Admiral Valdemar]

The power output of the following.....

Galaxy (Milky Way) = 8E46J per year
Universe = 1E55J per year
Universe = ~1E70J since creation

If the DS could fire its main weapon once a minute, it would take the DS 1500 years to equal the output of the the Milky Way.

Heh. The Culture's highend calcs place it higher then the universe per year

For Gridfire though, remember young padawan of the Hippies, that this is from the AM universe separating universal membranes in hyperspacial terms.

[Master of Ossus]

Hey, calm down, buckaroo. Nobody's flaming you.

Keep in mind what Dodonna said in ANH... that the DS carried a firepower greater than half the starfleet. So just multiply Wong's DS calcs by two.

But then you have to add in all of the power that is being consumed domestically, or for ground and naval forces.

You would also have to multiply it by more than two. Not all of the starfleet's power goes into its weapons. Much of it is used for shields, propulsion, etc.

[oberon]

Buckaroo??!! Buc-a-ROO??? Why I otta... I was just thinkin about it because of how ST rapes humanity on a weekly basis. I'm not much for intros, but relax, I'm here now. Good to see a forum on this site, finally.

Oh, and I recommend Nioxin shampoo. Don't use that supermarket Suave crap, you'll be stuck with dandruff and crappy hair and not know why.

[Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi]

And not only "half the starfleet", you have to count domestic use, use in private ships, and the Rebel fleet, but an ISD is said to use more energy than a civilized nation, but there are millions of civilized nations in the SW galaxy.

[Spanky The Dolphin]

Add me to the general concensus that doesn't see a problem here.

And doesn't the whole idea of using energy mean that it's (very basically) taken from the universe, then put back into it? Or am I having another Moron Moment?