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From: mike@wuphys.UUCP (Mike Jones)
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Re: Physics in AD&D
Message-ID: <276@wuphys.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 10-May-85 23:44:06 EDT
Article-I.D.: wuphys.276
Posted: Fri May 10 23:44:06 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 12-May-85 05:49:52 EDT
References: <401@ttidcc.UUCP>
Organization: Physics Dept., Washington Univ. in St. Louis
Lines: 34

> Here's a D&D physics question for you.  First, some background:
> 
stuff omitted
> My DM assures me that this technique, and variations on it,  are  the  only
> sure method he's heard of safely killing a beholder.
> 
> Flaw:
> The unshrunk ballista bolts have regained their full size and  mass  (never
> mind where it was) but only have the kinetic energy of an ordinary crossbow
> bolt.  They should fall out of the air before they get to the beholder.
> 
> The above, of course, assumes conservation of mass  and  energy.  The  real
> question  is:  are these and other physical properties conserved in a world
> where magic works?
> 
> The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe)
First: Kinetic energy is not conserved in the "real" world.  Why should it be in
	D&D?
Second:  The real kicker is in "(never mind where it was)".  You postulate that
	mass is NOT conserved, then ask if it is.  A poor question.
Third: Magic need not follow the normal laws of physics.  It must be internally
	self consistent.  It is therefore much easier if it follows the (self
	consistant) normal physical laws. You then postulate that magic adds
	some currently unknown laws, or places, and try to follow the
	consequences logically.  In this case for self consistency we check the
	enlarge spell and see "a hurled stone would have more mass (and be more
	hurtful..."  That puts some interesting constraints on your physical
	system, but I covered that in Second.  Bottom line, it should work.
	Make the physics agree.

Mike Jones
Physics Dept. Washington University
ihnp4!wuphys!mike
(Back to my quantum necrodynamics text).