[Shrike]

Actually,   is more appropriate.

Seeing as the amount of energy you'd get from the total conversion of a cubic centimeter of neutronium into energy is less than the amount of energy that makes up a cubic centimeter of vacuum.........!

[Setekh]

 

[Ace]

On the subject of missile trails, I believe that those are actually the plasma torches of the ship's fusion drives.

Various vessels and engineerings have different drives, so thus the different varieties in "trails."

As for the Maxim, it's stated it is a high velocity weapon and it accelerates the projectile through the barrel, it is never stated that the slugs are accelerated to relativistic speed such as in a rail weapon.

My assumption is that in this case the shape of the shells and method of acceleration makes it more efficient than a relativistic weapon. (also the amount of ammunition within the cannon means that the only thing counted is the energy used logistically)

The Avenger cannon in the first FreeSpace is similar, save the "pulse weapon effect" is actually thousands of small bullets flying out together in a close pattern.

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Ace
Staff member FreeSpace Watch
 http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/

[Kazan]

im going with shrike's first statement

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Did you say you wanted your head used as a soccer ball?

[Shrike]

 

Originally posted by Ace:
As for the Maxim, it's stated it is a high velocity weapon and it accelerates the projectile through the barrel, it is never stated that the slugs are accelerated to relativistic speed such as in a rail weapon.

Actually, a rail weapon simply means that it uses a pair of long electromagnets to accelerate a projectile.  The speeds involved are totally irrelevant.

Check out railgun.org for some information on the physics involved.

[Setekh]

I've gotta do higher school physics.  

[Griffon UK]

 

Originally posted by Ace:
The Avenger cannon in the first FreeSpace is similar, save the "pulse weapon effect" is actually thousands of small bullets flying out together in a close pattern.

Or maybe its a lame explanation for the reason they couldn't get ammo based weapons in the FS engine  

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Temporal Mechanics

[Ace]

Generally people assume railguns are relativistic projectile weapons.  

Yes, the Maxim is a form of railgun technically, and it behaves like a low velocity railgun with lots 'o ammo.

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Ace
Staff member FreeSpace Watch
 http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/

[Shrike]

 

Originally posted by Ace:
Generally people assume railguns are relativistic projectile weapons.  

Just because that's the way Q3 depicts them doesn't mean it's true.