I recently finished watching the 3 Body Problem on Netflix so this question came to mind. Can anyone explain (in simple terms) why the 3 body problem was deemed unsolvable even by the advanced alien race in the series? Even better, can anyone here simplify what the 3 Body Problem actually is in Physics? It really got my curiosity. Thanks! 🙂
In: Physics
It’s pretty easy to use Isaac Newton’s basic laws to predict what will happen when two objects come into each other’s gravitational range. They will pull on each other. Maybe come into some kind of orbital arrangement. It just depends on their size and mass and movement.
However, just one more object introduces enough complexity that it becomes impossible to model what will happen with these same simple methods.
The “problem” has two meanings. On the one hand it’s a math problem/question which is hard to solve. On the other hand it’s a difficult situation where our tools break down and if we ever actually need to solve one of these, we’re in a bind. That’s an unacceptable risk, and that’s a problem.
Latest Answers