Is it possible to create a science fiction-type force field?
Dear Straight Dope: Are force fields (like the ones in the movie Independence Day) actually possible? What would it entail to make such a device? I’m guessing your average house cooker and microwave set won’t do it (darn). But what, at least, is the physical theoretics (it’s really late–my mind’s a mess–you get what I mean) behind all of this, if there is any? Enlighten me please (not on my grammar though–told you it was late). — James in PA James, please. What kind of force field? A protective shield, such as you might put around a starship? A tractor beam, to pull things in? Or the invisible barriers that keep Star Trek aliens in the brig? One wants the right tool for the right job. Let’s see, how could you create a force field? There are four known forces (or five or three or one, depending on how you count)–gravity, electromagnetism, weak, and strong. In the olden days, electricity and magnetism were counted as two separate forces (for a total of five), until it was discovered
