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 not unsolvable, it’s just that there’s no (known) general solution. That is to say, each 3 body system has to evaluated individually, and for the majority, there is no long term stable arrangement. Additionally, our ability to predict the long-term state of it decays exponentially as three bodies introduce so many possible variables it quickly spirals beyond whatever present computing can simulate. Inevitably, some part of the system will decay. A body will be expelled, or two will collide, or something else. Even a presently stable system is extremely susceptible to minute external forces and can quickly collapse. There are a handful of known perpetually stable arrangements, but for any random 3 body system, you would not want to bet on it’s long term survival.
Latest Answers