Physicspunks

[Steve Thompson]

Quoting Anonymous (nobody at paranoici.org):
> If a block of a metal is hollowed out and a small port is drilled to
> see in, the radiance of the cavity is substantially higher than that
> of the surface of the metal.  As if that weren't shocking enough, it
> turns out that the radiance of cavities is the same no matter what
> kind of metal is used.  (This is so counterintuitive that I almost
> don't believe it!)

This is actually a phenomenal result.  If one makes a large enough apparatus
so that the cavity is very, very large with a correspondingly small port is
drilled, you've then got the makings of a great beam weapon.

However, aiming a multi-cubic parsec block of metal may limit effectiveness
somewhat.


Regards,

Steve

-- 
``If religion were nothing but an illusion and a sham, there could be no
philosophy of it.  The study of it would belong to abnormal psychology....
Religion cannot afford to claim exemption from philosophical enquiry.  If it
attempts to do so on the grounds of sanctity, it can only draw upon itself
suspicion that it is afraid to face the music.''

      -- H. J. Paton, "The Modern Predicament"