How many lightning bolts does it take to kill the God of Thunder?
Ashwin Parab
Scene I Analyzed: Thor takes the full force of Nidavellir in Infinity War
Firstly, I recognized that Nidavellir is a neutron star from its size, shape, and color, I also assumed that the energy hitting Thor was light energy
In the scene, Eitri says that Thor will have to withstand the full force of the star and Thor holds the forge open for a total 47 seconds of screen time
Calculating The Power Output of Nidavellir (Neutron Star)
Nidavellir is a neutron star with a yellow-white color
Luminosity
= Average multiplier from table x Luminosity of the Sun
= 3.25 x 3.846 x 1026 Watts
= 1.144 x 1027 Watts
Surface Area of a sphere
= 4πr2
= 4π(9656)2
= 1,171,667,486 meters squared
Average diameter of a neutron star is 12 miles, which means a radius of 9656 meters
Calculating The Power Output of Nidavellir cont.
Surface Area (A) = = 1,171,667,486 meters squared Luminosity = = 1.144 x 1027 Watts
Power Per Square Meter
Luminosity/Surface Area = (1.144 x 1027) / (1,171,667,486) = 9.51 x 1017 Watt/m2
Surface Area of Thor’s Back
Chris Hemsworth Height and Weight= 6ft 3 (190.5 cm) and 215 pounds
SA of whole body = 2.82 m2
SA of back side = 2.82/2 = 1.41 m2
The total energy Thor withstood is equal to the power output of the star per square meter x Thor's back side surface area x the time Thor withstood the star
=
(9.51 x 1017)(1.41)(47) = 6.3 x 1019 Joules
‼️
So … how many lightning bolts does it take?
Thor withstood 6.3 x 1019 Joules from Nidavellir
1 bolt of lighting is about 1 billion Joules
(6.3x1019)/(1000000000) = 6.3 x1010 lighting bolts
In Thor Ragnarok, Thor is fighting Hulk and is winning when the Grandmaster activates a taser that makes Thor fall to the ground
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vJxeX41QWw (3:57)
Taser delivers 1.76 joules
(6.3x1019)/(1.76) = 3.58 x1019 tasers
It would take 3.58 x1019 tasers to kill Thor, probably a couple less to only knock him down to the ground
Conclusions
Thor is unimaginably powerful and by far the strongest Avenger. Although the Marvel Cinematic Universe is not consistent at times, such as the taser scene, for the most part it is accurate. Thor can control lighting and is unfazed when struck by lighting which makes sense when you look at the physics behind it. But, at times the MCU isn’t 100% accurate. For example, if Thor can withstand the power of an entire star than a punch or any projectile weapon shouldn’t affect him at all. In theory, Thor can withstand a very large amount of joules so Hulk’s punch would have to exert a very large amount of force onto Thor to displace him the length of the arena.
In conclusion, Thor’s strength is misrepresented at times in the Marvel Cinematic Universe but for the most part his scenes and powers in the movies are consistent with common physics principles.