I was wondering...if a transporter supposedly converts matter into energy and then back to matter again, what about the air that's already on the beam-down or beam-up site? You can't transport matter on top of matter; that'd be like beaming into a wall! Air, techinically, is matter, albeit invisible. I was just wondering how they could use the transporter without creating a vacuum the exact dimensions of the object/person being transported.
Thank you in advance, as always, for your informative answers.
Posted by Ryan McReynolds (Member # 28) on :
The official answer is that the annular confinement beam gently pushes the air out of the way as the person materializes. This is possibly seen in films II-VI as two columns of light that spread before the person appears, and also in Voyager with the balls of light moving vertically.
Posted by Cadet Sorak (Member # 874) on :
quote: This is possibly seen in films II-VI as two columns of light that spread before the person appears, and also in Voyager with the balls of light moving vertically.
Yes, but those are seen in the beam-out, too...how do you account for that? And, what is the official definition of "annular confinement beam"?
Also, when transporting large objects, what happens to the air which is pushed out of the way? The air is compressed, and the object's mass replaces the air, so the pressure is increased in the room. One's ears should pop or something, or possibly a rush of air coming out of the transporter room to equalize the pressure. This is never seen in the episodes.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
Not that you can see air, nor do they keep a lot of loose paper lying around in transporter rooms.
Posted by ThoughtPyminal (Member # 480) on :
Personally, I've always wanted to see the two Klingon sisters that destroyed the Enterprise in Generations having lesbian warrior sex in front of Gates Mcfadden, and possibly a frisky Lt. Commander Data.
But I'll never see this, because the Powers that Be do not think as I do.
The same principle applies to transporter beam difficulties, starship measurements and nude Weddings.
Although a slight farting noise would be perfect for the transporters (especially when it's Worf Beaming Out) we'll never get it.
Alas.
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
Brace for impact! Scotty's beaming in!
That's probably why the Enterprise had windshields protecting the console Posted by Cadet Sorak (Member # 874) on :
I seriously think ThoughtPyminal needs to get out more...
Posted by ThoughtPyminal (Member # 480) on :
What are you talking about? I'm outside right now! The fact that I get on the internet while I'm outside is a good thing. It makes me suave, and cool.
Posted by Cadet Sorak (Member # 874) on :
LOL! And that pertains to matter-energy conversion...how?
(gets out his asprin and pops a couple more pills)
Posted by The Mike Who Would Be Captain (Member # 709) on :
Let us all pop pills!
: these are uppers and these are too..
: are they the same?
: no.. these make you go up like 'woooo' and these make you go up like 'waaaaa.'
: i'll buy two of each.
: you'll need downers, man. these bring into 'whoooaa'
: i totally know what you mean!
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Seriously though, how would you tell if someone's ears have popped?
And to delve into scary science, exactly what pressure difference would be created by a man sized amount of air being pushed outwards? And have we ever seen someone beam in while standing right next to another person?
Posted by Cadet Sorak (Member # 874) on :
quote: have we ever seen someone beam in while standing right next to another person?
Not to my (limited) knowledge...
Posted by Captain-class, Mike-variant (Member # 709) on :
theyre usually pretty strict about clearing the pads first.. i think in one early TNG they had some people arrive first, and someone almost get lost and get back late.. which ep?
Posted by Dat (Member # 302) on :
I forgot the title, but it was where Data, Riker, and Worf tried to transport down to Prof. Mannheim's shielded lab. Riker and Data came back simultaneously while Worf was delayed a second or two.
Posted by Captain-class, Mike-variant (Member # 709) on :
and we had that classic 'you almost didnt make it back' look on their faces .. i loved it..
im pretty proud that my memory popped that example up so quickly.. apparently im a bigger geek than i thought i was.. too bad im burnt out on remembering episode titles
oh wait.. it was 'We'll Always Have Paris'
and i wonder why the woman love doesnt arrive on my doorstep.
BTW, in reverse they had people beaming out while other stayed as early as 'The Cage'..
SPOCK: 'The women!!!'
say it, brother. Star Trek made women disappear even before the pilot was accepted.
Posted by Cadet Sorak (Member # 874) on :
I don't think one of my original questions was ever answered:
quote: This is possibly seen in films II-VI as two columns of light that spread before the person appears, and also in Voyager with the balls of light moving vertically.
(my reply) Yes, but those are seen in the beam-out, too...how do you account for that? And, what is the official definition of "annular confinement beam"?
Posted by Woodside Kid (Member # 699) on :
From the Encyclopedia:
"A cylindrical force field used to ensure that a person being transported remains within the beam. ("Power Play"[TNG]). Failure to remain within the confinement beam can cause a dangerous release of beam energy, possibly fatally injuring the transport subject and those nearby."
As for making someone's ears pop, I did a couple of quick ballpark calculations of density, assuming a 180 pound man beamed into a 4,000 cubic foot room. Shoving the air displaced by his body into the remaining room would increase the air pressure by only 0.0759 percent. I don't know if any of us would even notice that much of a change.
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