Newtonban

Newtonban is a fictional concept used in educational thought experiments and some science fiction discussions to illustrate how physical actions interact with social or systemic responses. It is not an actual physical unit in standard physics.

Definition and scope: A newtonban (Nb) is defined as the product of an impulse (force times time) and a dimensionless ban factor B, where B ranges from 0 to 1 and represents the degree of social acceptance, resistance, or regulatory constraint affecting the outcome of a forceful action.

Formalism: Let F be a constant force in newtons and t the duration in seconds; the impulse is I = F t in N·s. The newtonban is defined as Nb = I × B, with B in [0, 1]. A higher B means greater translation of physical action into real-world effect; 0 means no effect. It's a simplification for demonstration, not a measurement of a real quantity.

Origin and usage: The term appears in classroom prompts and speculative writing to prompt discussions about policy, ethics, and engineering design, illustrating how external constraints attenuate physical capabilities.

Reception and limitations: Widely regarded as a teaching device rather than a standard unit; can cause confusion if used outside its fictional context.

See also: impulse; unit; thought experiment; social physics.