Could you build a relativistic bullet? In theory, yes. In practice, the acceleration, power demand, and atmospheric effects are so absurd that your βbulletβ becomes exotic gravel long before it becomes a useful weapon.
A one-kilogram slug at 10% light speed carries roughly 108 kilotons of TNT, but firing it from a railgun would require power levels far beyond modern civilization. Relativistic guns probably are not realistic β but relativistic kill missiles might be.
#science #space #physics #scifi #futurism #relativity
π Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZFipeZtQM5CKUjx6grh54g/join
π SFIA Merchandise: https://isaac-arthur-shop.fourthwall.com/
π Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net
β€οΈ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur
β Support us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthur
π₯ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/
π£ Reddit Community: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/
π¦ Follow on Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur
π¬ SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE
