3084: Unstoppable Force and Immovable Object - Revision history

Lettherebedarklight: /* Transcript */ add Category:Comics with a Spanish translation

2025-12-15T08:55:23Z

‎Transcript: add Category:Comics with a Spanish translation

2A0A:EF40:C2:3201:96FA:24C1:60D5:8A12 at 07:49, 12 August 2025

2025-08-12T07:49:02Z

FaviFake: /* Explanation */

2025-06-16T13:11:36Z

‎Explanation

172.70.208.120: /* Explanation */

2025-05-16T06:53:03Z

‎Explanation

172.71.219.15: Removing a hasty generalisation - I've encountered it more times as a proper thought experiment over being an idiom.

2025-05-12T13:31:29Z

Removing a hasty generalisation - I've encountered it more times as a proper thought experiment over being an idiom.

User 8496351: /* Explanation */

2025-05-11T16:29:36Z

‎Explanation

FaviFake: doesn't seem complete to me

2025-05-09T15:14:41Z

doesn't seem complete to me

BobcatInABox: Complete

2025-05-09T14:13:57Z

Complete

Aprilfoolsupdate! at 23:47, 5 May 2025

2025-05-05T23:47:19Z

Orion205: Undo revision 376428 by 172.68.242.61 (talk)

2025-05-05T23:05:43Z

Undo revision 376428 by 172.68.242.61 (talk)

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:55, 15 December 2025
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	[[Category:Physics]]		[[Category:Physics]]
		+	[[Category:Comics with a Spanish translation]]

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 ==Explanation==
 An "{{w|Irresistible force paradox|unstoppable force meeting an immovable object}}" is a common expression and thought experiment when two things with mutually exclusive properties are forced to interact. In the comic, this is depicted with three drawings, with an arrow representing an unstoppable force moving toward an object that is immovable. The next two images depict how they interact - or rather, not interact, with the force passing right through the object as if it weren't there. In a caption below the comic, [[Randall]] states that he cannot understand why people find this scenario to be tricky
@@ Line 18: / Line 16: @@
 A lot of times, the "unstoppable force / immovable object" expression is just that, an expression, to indicate that two parties who have contradictory goals and are unwilling or unable to compromise. Other times it's an exaggeration for large and powerful forces that are not literally unstoppable but still cause massive damage when they run into each other.
-In the title text, Randall clarifies what he means in that the force-carrying particles cannot interact with the matter by definition. If such objects did exist, being intangible to each other is the only possible answer that would be compatible with how we understand physics to work, as force-carrying particles can only interact with some particles. (An further explanation of this situation is described in a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eKc5kgPVrA video] by {{w|Minute Physics}}.) In quantum physics, all forces are mediated by force-carrying particles, but this is not usually something that is relevant to consider, when macroscopic objects interact.
+In the title text, Randall clarifies what he means in that the force-carrying particles cannot interact with the matter by definition. If such objects did exist, being intangible to each other is the only possible answer that would be compatible with how we understand physics to work, as force-carrying particles can only interact with some particles. (An further explanation of this situation is described in a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eKc5kgPVrA video] by {{w|Minute Physics}}.) In quantum physics, all forces (electromagnetic, strong-nuclear, gravity, weak-nuclear) are carried by force-carrying particles (photons, gluons, W & Z bosons, Higgs Boson), but this is not usually something that is relevant to consider, when macroscopic objects interact.
 ==Transcript==

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 ==Explanation==
-{{incomplete|This page might be too technical for some users, especially the last paraph about quantum physics. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
+{{incomplete|The last paraph about quantum physics might be too technical for some users. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
 An "{{w|Irresistible force paradox|unstoppable force meeting an immovable object}}" is a common expression and thought experiment when two things with mutually exclusive properties are forced to interact. In the comic, this is depicted with three drawings, with an arrow representing an unstoppable force moving toward an object that is immovable. The next two images depict how they interact - or rather, not interact, with the force passing right through the object as if it weren't there. In a caption below the comic, [[Randall]] states that he cannot understand why people find this scenario to be tricky

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 The comic plays on the word "force", which has different definitions depending on context. To a physicist like Randall it describes a fundamental influence between particles of matter. Not all forces interact with all types of matter, nor ''can'' they be stopped (only depleted, by interaction and dispersion over their effective distance); as a result, although "unstoppable forces" seem like an impossible thing, they are in fact quite common (again, provided one is using the physics definition), something Randall exploits in line with [[123: Centrifugal Force|prior informative comics]] of this ilk. In casual language however, a "force" is an entity with a large amount of (usually kinetic) energy, hence the question might better be phrased as "what happens if one attempts to apply kinetic energy to an object whose velocity cannot be changed?".
-A lot of times, the "unstoppable force / immoveable object" expression is just that, an expression, to indicate that two parties who have contradictory goals and are unwilling or unable to compromise. Other times it's an exaggeration for large and powerful forces that are not literally unstoppable but still cause massive damage when they run into each other.
+A lot of times, the "unstoppable force / immovable object" expression is just that, an expression, to indicate that two parties who have contradictory goals and are unwilling or unable to compromise. Other times it's an exaggeration for large and powerful forces that are not literally unstoppable but still cause massive damage when they run into each other.
-In the title text, Randall clarifies what he means in that the force-carrying particles cannot interact with the matter by definition. If such objects did exist, being intangible to each other is the only possible answer that would be compatible with how we understand physics to work. (An further explanation of this situation is described in a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eKc5kgPVrA video] by {{w|Minute Physics}}.) In quantum physics, all forces are mediated by force-carrying particles, but this is not usually something that is relevant to consider, when macroscopic objects interact.
+In the title text, Randall clarifies what he means in that the force-carrying particles cannot interact with the matter by definition. If such objects did exist, being intangible to each other is the only possible answer that would be compatible with how we understand physics to work, as force-carrying particles can only interact with some particles. (An further explanation of this situation is described in a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eKc5kgPVrA video] by {{w|Minute Physics}}.) In quantum physics, all forces are mediated by force-carrying particles, but this is not usually something that is relevant to consider, when macroscopic objects interact.
 ==Transcript==

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 ==Explanation==
 {{incomplete|This page might be too technical for some users, especially the last paraph about quantum physics. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
-Most of the time, the expression is just that, an expression, one that is meant to convey there will be a lot of destruction when the two things meet. Sometimes it is a euphemism for more complex things such as people or ideologies (who have contradictory goals and are unwilling or unable to compromise), other times it's an exaggeration for large and powerful forces that are not literally unstoppable but still cause massive damage when they run into each other. Randall proposes a solution to the paradox: the unstoppable force will not actually interact with the immovable object; the unstoppable force is not stopped, and the immovable object is not moved. An example explanation of this situation is described in a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eKc5kgPVrA video] by {{w|Minute Physics}}. This comic could actually be said to show what is shown in the video.
+An "{{w|Irresistible force paradox|unstoppable force meeting an immovable object}}" is a common expression and thought experiment when two things with mutually exclusive properties are forced to interact. In the comic, this is depicted with three drawings, with an arrow representing an unstoppable force moving toward an object that is immovable. The next two images depict how they interact - or rather, not interact, with the force passing right through the object as if it weren't there. In a caption below the comic, [[Randall]] states that he cannot understand why people find this scenario to be tricky
-The comic plays on the word "force", which has different interpretations depending on context. In casual language, an object can be a "force" if it carries enough energy, while to a physicist like Randall it describes a fundamental influence between particles of matter, and not all forces interact with all types of matter, nor ''can'' they be stopped (only depleted, by interaction and dispersion over their effective distance). The humor derives from the differences between the lay-impressions of the scenario and a more technical interpretation, in line with [[123: Centrifugal Force|prior informative comics]] of this ilk.
+The comic plays on the word "force", which has different definitions depending on context. To a physicist like Randall it describes a fundamental influence between particles of matter. Not all forces interact with all types of matter, nor ''can'' they be stopped (only depleted, by interaction and dispersion over their effective distance); as a result, although "unstoppable forces" seem like an impossible thing, they are in fact quite common (again, provided one is using the physics definition), something Randall exploits in line with [[123: Centrifugal Force|prior informative comics]] of this ilk. In casual language however, a "force" is an entity with a large amount of (usually kinetic) energy, hence the question might better be phrased as "what happens if one attempts to apply kinetic energy to an object whose velocity cannot be changed?".
-In the title text, Randall makes it clear that the force-carrying particles cannot interact with the matter by definition. Thus each of these "impossible" concepts can exist, but since they can never interact, the problem of what will happen when they do, is thus not relevant. In quantum physics, all forces are mediated by force-carrying particles, but this is not usually something that is relevant to consider, when macroscopic objects interact.
+A lot of times, the "unstoppable force / immoveable object" expression is just that, an expression, to indicate that two parties who have contradictory goals and are unwilling or unable to compromise. Other times it's an exaggeration for large and powerful forces that are not literally unstoppable but still cause massive damage when they run into each other.
-While solution as depicted by Randall is logical, that doesn't explain what would happen upon collision of Unstoppable Force and Immovable Object ''if'' they can't phase through each other like they aren't even there; in other words, if both Unstoppable Force and Immovable Object are properly corporeal (aka what most people mean by "{{w|Irresistible force paradox|unstoppable force meeting an immovable object}}").
+In the title text, Randall clarifies what he means in that the force-carrying particles cannot interact with the matter by definition. If such objects did exist, being intangible to each other is the only possible answer that would be compatible with how we understand physics to work. (An further explanation of this situation is described in a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eKc5kgPVrA video] by {{w|Minute Physics}}.) In quantum physics, all forces are mediated by force-carrying particles, but this is not usually something that is relevant to consider, when macroscopic objects interact.
 ==Transcript==

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:29, 11 May 2025
Line 18:		Line 18:

	In the title text, Randall makes it clear that the force-carrying particles cannot interact with the matter by definition. Thus each of these "impossible" concepts can exist, but since they can never interact, the problem of what will happen when they do, is thus not relevant. In quantum physics, all forces are mediated by force-carrying particles, but this is not usually something that is relevant to consider, when macroscopic objects interact.		In the title text, Randall makes it clear that the force-carrying particles cannot interact with the matter by definition. Thus each of these "impossible" concepts can exist, but since they can never interact, the problem of what will happen when they do, is thus not relevant. In quantum physics, all forces are mediated by force-carrying particles, but this is not usually something that is relevant to consider, when macroscopic objects interact.
		+
		+	While solution as depicted by Randall is logical, that doesn't explain what would happen upon collision of Unstoppable Force and Immovable Object ''if'' they can't phase through each other like they aren't even there; in other words, if both Unstoppable Force and Immovable Object are properly corporeal (aka what most people mean by "{{w\|Irresistible force paradox\|unstoppable force meeting an immovable object}}").

	==Transcript==		==Transcript==

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:14, 9 May 2025
Line 10:		Line 10:

	==Explanation==		==Explanation==
		+	{{incomplete\|This page might be too technical for some users, especially the last paraph about quantum physics. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
	An "{{w\|Irresistible force paradox\|unstoppable force meeting an immovable object}}" is a common expression when two things with mutually exclusive properties are forced to interact. In the comic, this is depicted with three drawings, first showing an arrow representing an unstoppable force moving toward an object that is immovable. In the next drawing they meet and the force arrow enters the object. In the final drawing the force arrow is moving past the object that has, of course, not been moved. But the force has also not been stopped. In the caption below the comic, [[Randall]] states that he cannot understand why people find this scenario to be tricky.		An "{{w\|Irresistible force paradox\|unstoppable force meeting an immovable object}}" is a common expression when two things with mutually exclusive properties are forced to interact. In the comic, this is depicted with three drawings, first showing an arrow representing an unstoppable force moving toward an object that is immovable. In the next drawing they meet and the force arrow enters the object. In the final drawing the force arrow is moving past the object that has, of course, not been moved. But the force has also not been stopped. In the caption below the comic, [[Randall]] states that he cannot understand why people find this scenario to be tricky.

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:13, 9 May 2025
Line 10:		Line 10:

	==Explanation==		==Explanation==
−	~~{{incomplete\|This page was created by an UNSTOPPABLE OBJECT and IMMOVABLE FORCE. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}~~
	An "{{w\|Irresistible force paradox\|unstoppable force meeting an immovable object}}" is a common expression when two things with mutually exclusive properties are forced to interact. In the comic, this is depicted with three drawings, first showing an arrow representing an unstoppable force moving toward an object that is immovable. In the next drawing they meet and the force arrow enters the object. In the final drawing the force arrow is moving past the object that has, of course, not been moved. But the force has also not been stopped. In the caption below the comic, [[Randall]] states that he cannot understand why people find this scenario to be tricky.		An "{{w\|Irresistible force paradox\|unstoppable force meeting an immovable object}}" is a common expression when two things with mutually exclusive properties are forced to interact. In the comic, this is depicted with three drawings, first showing an arrow representing an unstoppable force moving toward an object that is immovable. In the next drawing they meet and the force arrow enters the object. In the final drawing the force arrow is moving past the object that has, of course, not been moved. But the force has also not been stopped. In the caption below the comic, [[Randall]] states that he cannot understand why people find this scenario to be tricky.

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 ==Explanation==
-{{incomplete|This page was created by an UNSTOPPABLE OBJECT. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
+{{incomplete|This page was created by an UNSTOPPABLE OBJECT and IMMOVABLE FORCE. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
 An "{{w|Irresistible force paradox|unstoppable force meeting an immovable object}}" is a common expression when two things with mutually exclusive properties are forced to interact. In the comic, this is depicted with three drawings, first showing an arrow representing an unstoppable force moving toward an object that is immovable. In the next drawing they meet and the force arrow enters the object. In the final drawing the force arrow is moving past the object that has, of course, not been moved. But the force has also not been stopped. In the caption below the comic, [[Randall]] states that he cannot understand why people find this scenario to be tricky.

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 | number    = 3084
 | date      = May 2, 2025
-| title     = {{w|Google Santa Tracker}}
+| title     = Unstoppable Force and Immovable Object
 | image     = unstoppable_force_and_immovable_object_2x.png
 | imagesize = 297x379px
@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 ==Explanation==
-{{incomplete|This page was created by an {{w|Google Santa Tracker}}. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
+{{incomplete|This page was created by an UNSTOPPABLE OBJECT. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
 An "{{w|Irresistible force paradox|unstoppable force meeting an immovable object}}" is a common expression when two things with mutually exclusive properties are forced to interact. In the comic, this is depicted with three drawings, first showing an arrow representing an unstoppable force moving toward an object that is immovable. In the next drawing they meet and the force arrow enters the object. In the final drawing the force arrow is moving past the object that has, of course, not been moved. But the force has also not been stopped. In the caption below the comic, [[Randall]] states that he cannot understand why people find this scenario to be tricky.