I’ve always been a big fan of Star Wars. The original movie, not Episode 1, released when I was a kid, and it filled my imagination with thoughts of the Millennium Falcon and lightsabers. Maybe it even ignited my interest in science, even if it falls more into fantasy than strict science fiction. You want to start a debate? Ask if Star Wars should be labeled “science fiction” or “space fantasy.”
Regardless, you can’t deny that some elements seem scientific. Whenever you’re dealing with space, there’s an opportunity to dive into science. Since today is Star Wars Day, let’s do just that! May the 4th be with you!
But what are some scientific aspects in Star Wars that just don’t hold up? I’ll explore a few interesting concepts. Just to clarify, I’m using these inaccuracies as a springboard into scientific discussions, and I definitely don’t think they should be corrected—an overly realistic Star Wars might turn out to be, well, dull. Stick around, and I think you’ll see what I mean.
Sound in Space
The opening sequence of Star Wars features a massive Star Destroyer chasing a smaller rebel craft. You hear the roar of the engines, creating a sense of power. Unfortunately, that’s impossible in reality.
Let’s consider sound for a moment. If you lightly tap a coffee mug with a spoon, you hear a nice sound. This happens because the tap makes the ceramic vibrate, compressing the air around it. This compression sends waves through the air, creating what we recognize as sound.
Can sound exist without air? Well, technically, yes, but you still need a medium—something, like a solid or liquid, for that pressure wave to travel through. In space, however, there’s… nothing.
That’s not completely accurate. There are charged particles like protons and electrons floating around—fragments from solar wind or old supernovae. There’s also some cosmic dust in a solar system. But the density of this “material” is so low that it’s practically negligible for sound transmission.
So why do filmmakers decide to include sound in the vacuum of space? Well, most of us haven’t been to outer space, and silent collisions just feel off. The sound of that gargantuan Star Destroyer evokes the sensation of a huge ship gliding nearby—something familiar to us.
How Do You Steer This Thing?
A fundamental concept in physics is that forces can alter the motion of objects. If a constant force is applied and there’s no opposing force, that object will accelerate indefinitely.
This is known as Newton’s second law, which can simplify multiple forces acting on an object into one net force, shown with m representing the mass and a being acceleration.
