Movies - TV
Star Trek: What’s The Difference Between Photon And Quantum Torpedos?
By WITNEY SEIBOLD
During battles in “Star Trek,” the Enterprise usually fired photon torpedoes: elongated, black, coffin-sized weapons that launched into red balls of light with explosive force.
However, in “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” photon torpedoes were eventually replaced by quantum torpedoes, which glowed white and moved more quickly through space.
“Star Trek” shows haven’t clarified what separates a photon torpedo from a quantum torpedo, but luckily, someone affiliated with the franchise has revealed their differences.
Producer and screenwriter André Bormanis worked as the science consultant on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and explained the difference between the two torpedoes to the BBC.
He said, “Photon torpedoes have a greater yield, it's a more powerful bang. [...] [The] quantum torpedo [...] was kind of like the difference between an A-bomb and an H-bomb.”
Bormanis added about the quantum torpedo, “This is an even more powerful torpedo weapon that could disrupt matter at a quantum level.”
The “Trek” writer continued, “Photon torpedoes were more conventional kind of explosive weapon that incorporated matter and antimatter explosions.”