Fiction research: Creating a Vacuum

[Roelort]

Hi Guys,

As probably some other people who come around on the speculation forums, I have an idea for a Sci-Fi/fantasy story and need some advice.

One of the ideas I have in mind is that weapons upon activation will be able to create a vacuum on the spot.

In my opinion, the existence of a vacuum for a small amount of time, will mean that all materials around will increase speed in trying to fill this vacuum with high velocity and lots of heat etc.. resulting in destruction? I like the idea, but I need to know whether I understood the basic idea correct. In theory, this is what I understood of vacuum and what the effect will be.

Also, in my idea vacuum, without a vessel, can (theoretically) be achieved with a high velocity and resistance, am I correct?

What do you think of this idea?

 

[swansont]

A vacuum is likely to do less damage than processes which increase pressure. With a vacuum and ambient surroundings, the largest pressure differential you will see is 1 atmosphere, whereas you can generate a much higher pressure than 2 atmospheres, and get a very destructive shock wave. That's not to say it won't potentially be damaging, though.

[Phi for All]

How much of a sound would something like this make? Perhaps a non-lethal weapon that disorients?

[fiveworlds]

Like an implosion??

[imatfaal]

Don't fuel-air bombs do a significant part of their damage (to living animals) via the creation of negative pressure / rarefaction?

[EdEarl]

I'd think it might create a short duration mini tornado along the shot path, with effects that would vary depending on the length of time the weapon is fired. A well placed quick shot might create a toroid shaped blast that could upend people; whereas, a longer duration might damage ground transport. To minimize "kickback" it might project twin tornadoes spinning in opposite directions.

[Roelort]

I'd think it might create a short duration mini tornado along the shot path, with effects that would vary depending on the length of time the weapon is fired. A well placed quick shot might create a toroid shaped blast that could upend people; whereas, a longer duration might damage ground transport. To minimize "kickback" it might project twin tornadoes spinning in opposite directions.

Thanks. Its meant to be primarily on melee weapons. The head is supposed to create the Vacuum and the idea is that it will be a killing blow. Having a vacuum released inside your flesh should be quite devastating, I wondered whether this would be a viable idea and how the scientific community would respond to the idea.

 

Your idea is great for the long range weapons I am still working on.

The idea you raise also allows me more tactical gear to be developed!

 

Another thing I am considering:

 

A vacuum is likely to do less damage than processes which increase pressure. With a vacuum and ambient surroundings, the largest pressure differential you will see is 1 atmosphere, whereas you can generate a much higher pressure than 2 atmospheres, and get a very destructive shock wave. That's not to say it won't potentially be damaging, though.

 

"Don't fuel-air bombs do a significant part of their damage (to living animals) via the creation of negative pressure / rarefaction?"

 

So just a vacuum would not be enough to create a destructive effect. What if I'd be able to infuse that was created with an explosive charge?

I am no rocket scientist and just theory crafting, but lets say like a nuclear bomb. but on a small scale. A tiny fuel cell that will change the implosion into a powerful blast?

Edited January 27, 2016 by Roelort

[swansont]

Creating a vacuum in a solid means making a hole or void in it. Are you disintegrating the material or merely displacing it? Either way, that's going to be damaging, though the former probably more than the latter.

[Roelort]

As it's a weapon meant to disarm / destroy a target in a single blow, the idea is to disintegrate the mass it touches, to create a blast.

I can add some other applications to it like adding a fuel cell, or maybe supersonic sound to create the discharge.

 

It will be combined with a regular melee weapon, periodically discharging killing blows.

[sirtheory]

theres no such thing, as you " shoot " it will create your " vacuum " at the end barrel. or make a black hole

[Sensei]

In my opinion, the existence of a vacuum for a small amount of time, will mean that all materials around will increase speed in trying to fill this vacuum with high velocity and lots of heat etc.. resulting in destruction? I like the idea, but I need to know whether I understood the basic idea correct. In theory, this is what I understood of vacuum and what the effect will be.

 

What do you think of this idea?

I think it's pretty much misunderstanding on your part.

 

If you have f.e. 1 m^3 volume of air, which has some energy E (thus energy density E/V), and 1 m^3 of vacuum-to-be. After making vacuum, energy will have to cover 2m^3 of volume..

 

resulting in destruction?

Destruction because of lack of (or lower) pressure. But it depends on material.

Organic materials, full of water, tend to boil at lower pressure.

 

Particles around you create pressure. Pressure that keeps water in your body in liquid state.

If there will be lack of this pressure (like astronaut outside of space ship without suit),

water will start boiling at lower temperature than normally 100 C.

It will be turning to gaseous state, even though it's cold.