What is the 3 body problem? Anyone who understands the title of the Netflix epic understands the entire series – News Series – as seen on the Web

After all, what is the problem with the 3 bodies? Netflix’s sci-fi series takes advantage of a real scientific dilemma. And here you will find a simple explanation.

The Netflix series The 3-Body Problem is an excellent example of science fiction. It interweaves real scientific theories and observations with a fictional story about humanity’s first contact with an alien species. The science fiction series developed by the creators of Game of Thrones adapts the famous novel of the same title, by author Cixin Liu – and its two sequels.

But what is “the 3-body problem”? The problem of real-world physics is the key to understanding the great mystery of the Netflix series. So that you don’t get completely confused while watching, here you will find a simplified explanation of the 3-body problem and its role in the series. However, it is worth saying that you will not find complex mathematical explanations here.

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What is the “3-body problem”?

The 3-body problem comes from the field of physics, more precisely from the astronomical branch of celestial mechanics, and can be traced back to the observations of Isaac Newton. To summarize very simply: these are three bodies whose attraction for each other causes an “insoluble” problem. Bodies include planets, suns, or moons.

In this case, the problem refers to the calculation or prediction of the movements of three bodies. Although the trajectory of two bodies influenced by gravitational forces can be solved using mathematical models, the case of three bodies with different masses looks completely different.

Three bodies that attract and repel each other cause chaotic processes that are difficult and impossible to predict in the long term. Of course, there are certain exceptions and some possible solutions. However, there is still no general solution to the 3-body problem. Therefore, it is also described as insoluble.

You can find a more detailed explanation in this video:

But what does this mean for the Netflix series? To explain this, we now have to enter spoiler territory. From here onwards, this text contains spoilers until Episode 3, of the 1st season of The 3-Body Problem:

This is the role played by the 3-body problem in the Netflix series

At the beginning of the plot of The 3-Body Problem, the rapid increase in suicide cases among renowned scientists represents a puzzle for the secret services – and for their colleagues, also scientists. This eventually leads physicist Jin Cheng (Jess Hong) to a futuristic video game. The aim of the game is to calculate the chaotic path of an alien planet’s sun.

However, it is not a fictional world, but rather a digital replica of a real planet four light years away from Earth. And this one is not orbited by a chaotic sun, but by three suns.

Interesting observation: Strictly speaking, this is actually a four-body problem, since the planet San-Ti should actually be included in the problem. Compared to the three suns, its mass is so small that it is probably neglected.

The planet of the species called San-Ti suffers the dramatic consequences of the 3-body problem. The ever-changing distance to individual suns has different and often devastating effects on life on the planet.

Disasters caused by the three suns include:

• Extreme cold: When the planet moves away from the suns.

• Extreme Heat: When more than one sun appears in the sky.

• Severity Cancellation: When all three suns appear in the sky in an aligned formation called a syzygy.

In other words, the planet is not suitable for the survival of a civilization. However, the San-Ti species managed to adapt to these harsh living conditions by dehydrating and hydrating their bodies, subjecting them to the catastrophes known as the Chaotic Age.

What the series doesn’t explain so clearly, but is explained in the model: Since the chaotic path of the three suns cannot be predicted, there is a possibility that the planet could collide with one of the suns at some point and be completely destroyed.

“The 3-Body Problem” is the reason for the invasion of Earth in the series

Precisely for this reason, the San-Ti see no other option than to search for a new, safe home planet. And a radio signal sent from China in the 1960s came in handy. However, it takes 400 years for their fleet to reach Earth.

In the original book there are even characters who try to solve the problem of the 3 alien bodies. As expected, they fail. However, this is not discussed much in the Netflix series. Here, knowing that this is a 3-body problem is enough to get to the next level of the mysterious video game.

Therefore, it is not about solving this problem. Instead, Mike Evans’ (Jonathan Pryce) organization tests whether the players have the will to accept the San-Ti’s dramatic situation and prepare for their arrival on Earth.

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