How do shields work in Star Trek?

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,124
779
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?noun 1. the act or process of explaining.
2. something that explains; a statement made to clarify something and make it understandable; exposition: an explanation of a poem.
3. a meaning or interpretation: to find an explanation for a mystery.
4. a mutual declaration of the meaning of words spoken, actions, motives, etc., with a view to adjusting a misunderstanding or reconciling differences: After a long and emotional explanation they were friends again.


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[Origin: 1350?1400; ME explanacioun < L explanation- (s. of explanatio), equiv. to explanat(us) (see explanate) + -ion- -ion]


?Synonyms 1. elucidation, explication, exposition, interpretation, description. 3. solution, key, answer.
 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
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They operate through the miracle science of literary technobabble.
 

KLin

Lifer
Feb 29, 2000
30,449
752
126
Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
?noun 1. the act or process of explaining.
2. something that explains; a statement made to clarify something and make it understandable; exposition: an explanation of a poem.
3. a meaning or interpretation: to find an explanation for a mystery.
4. a mutual declaration of the meaning of words spoken, actions, motives, etc., with a view to adjusting a misunderstanding or reconciling differences: After a long and emotional explanation they were friends again.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Origin: 1350?1400; ME explanacioun < L explanation- (s. of explanatio), equiv. to explanat(us) (see explanate) + -ion- -ion]


?Synonyms 1. elucidation, explication, exposition, interpretation, description. 3. solution, key, answer.


Well that explains the basis of explanation. Now what about how the shields work in Star Trek? :p
 

So

Lifer
Jul 2, 2001
25,923
17
81
Originally posted by: KLin
Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
?noun 1. the act or process of explaining.
2. something that explains; a statement made to clarify something and make it understandable; exposition: an explanation of a poem.
3. a meaning or interpretation: to find an explanation for a mystery.
4. a mutual declaration of the meaning of words spoken, actions, motives, etc., with a view to adjusting a misunderstanding or reconciling differences: After a long and emotional explanation they were friends again.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Origin: 1350?1400; ME explanacioun < L explanation- (s. of explanatio), equiv. to explanat(us) (see explanate) + -ion- -ion]


?Synonyms 1. elucidation, explication, exposition, interpretation, description. 3. solution, key, answer.


Well that explains the basis of explanation. Now what about how the shields work in Star Trek? :p

they make no scientific sense. just accept that they are there and move on. There is no scientific explanation.
 

Atheus

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2005
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I notice the shields protect the crew from radiation - in several episodes they use them for that purpose - but then when they go into battle they say 'shields up' - why aren't they up all the time? Dangerous radiation is present at all times in space.
 

hanoverphist

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2006
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Originally posted by: Atheus
I notice the shields protect the crew from radiation - in several episodes they use them for that purpose - but then when they go into battle they say 'shields up' - why aren't they up all the time? Dangerous radiation is present at all times in space.

maybe its protection from excessive radiation? the regular bulkheads and stuff protect them from "normal" radiation? i have no clue, im not a technogeek for star trek.
 

So

Lifer
Jul 2, 2001
25,923
17
81
Originally posted by: Atheus
I notice the shields protect the crew from radiation - in several episodes they use them for that purpose - but then when they go into battle they say 'shields up' - why aren't they up all the time? Dangerous radiation is present at all times in space.

Because the writers are scientifically illiterate and would never think of that? Besides, when in doubt, the answer is tachyons...
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,585
985
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They are written that way. Think about it, if they didn't work it would make the episodes kind of weak huh? Captain, incoming torpedo! Boom...show's over.
 

DarkThinker

Platinum Member
Mar 17, 2007
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Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
They are written that way. Think about it, if they didn't work it would make the episodes kind of weak huh? Captain, incoming torpedo! Boom...show's over.

Finally someone that gets it!
Tsst tsst tsst Sci-fi fans, sigh ...
 

DainBramaged

Lifer
Jun 19, 2003
23,454
41
91
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
They are written that way. Think about it, if they didn't work it would make the episodes kind of weak huh? Captain, incoming torpedo! Boom...show's over.

Way to take the fun out of it. :|

:p
 

sao123

Lifer
May 27, 2002
12,653
205
106
Originally posted by: mjuszczak
They always talk about "Shield Frequencies" and stuff. What's the basis of explanation?


<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.amazon.com/Star-Trek-Generation-Technical-Unnumbered/dp/0671704273/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-0338223-1943062?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178155997&sr=8-1">Read me.
</a>
 

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
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Originally posted by: Atheus
I notice the shields protect the crew from radiation - in several episodes they use them for that purpose - but then when they go into battle they say 'shields up' - why aren't they up all the time? Dangerous radiation is present at all times in space.

Well, they need to give Commander Riker something to do and say while he's on the bridge.

This reminds me of a Season 9 Stargate SG1 episode where Col. Mitchell and Teal'c are on the bridge of one of the spacecraft, and the commander of the ship orders the weapons officer to prepare the main weapons. Mitchell says to Teal'c, "if he's the 'weapons officer', isn't he responsible for making sure the weapons are ready to fire at all times?" Teal'c replies, "indeed".
 

sao123

Lifer
May 27, 2002
12,653
205
106
Originally posted by: Atheus
I notice the shields protect the crew from radiation - in several episodes they use them for that purpose - but then when they go into battle they say 'shields up' - why aren't they up all the time? Dangerous radiation is present at all times in space.


Actually the ship has at least 2 sets of shields.
One which protects the ship & crew from standard levels of radiation & debris...
Under more intense a stronger shield can be deployed, this stronger shield is also the one used during battle.
 

Triumph

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,031
14
81
Originally posted by: sao123
Originally posted by: Atheus
I notice the shields protect the crew from radiation - in several episodes they use them for that purpose - but then when they go into battle they say 'shields up' - why aren't they up all the time? Dangerous radiation is present at all times in space.


Actually the ship has at least 2 sets of shields.
One which protects the ship & crew from standard levels of radiation & debris...
Under more intense a stronger shield can be deployed, this stronger shield is also the one used during battle.

Actually the ship is a toy model, so I doubt it has even one set of shields, let alone two.