close menu
Because Science

How Long Does It Take to Charge DRAGON BALL Z’s Spirit Bomb?

The anime and manga Dragon Ball Z is a show of extremes: yelling, giant explosive energy balls, eye-popping speed. And the best example of these extremes may be the “spirit bomb” — the attack can apparently destroy entire planets. We’ve seen it only a few times, and when we have, it took forever to prepare. But because of the way DBZ is cut, we don’t know if a spirit bomb takes minutes, hours, or even days to charge. Maybe science can help.

In my latest Because Science, I’m using chemistry, physics, and math to get a time value for a proper spirit bomb charge. First we need to know how much energy we’re actually talking about. King Kai, who first teaches the technique to Goku, says the attack can “destroy the planet you’re standing on,” and we have a decent estimate for that enormous value. It’s called the “gravitational binding energy” of a planet. It’s how much energy you’d have to input to, you know, Alderaan it.

The energy that goes into a spirit bomb doesn’t come from Goku — he siphons it from “grass and trees, from people and animals, from inanimate objects and the atmosphere…You can also learn to tap into the astounding powers of the Sun.” So next we need to get energy values from all of these sources, and finally, calculate charging time.

So how long does it take? I can’t say in episodes, but I do come up with something in the new episode above!

Check out my last video on if it’s physically possible to double jump; subscribe to this playlist to stay current with the show; buy a Because Science shirt, mug, hat, or collectible pin (the SURPRISE LIGHTSABER! shirts are in!); and follow me on Twitter to give me a suggestion for the next episode or on Instagram where I’m now posting extra mini-episodes!

Want Because Science days (!) before anyone else? Subscribe to Alpha for early access to the show and peep my new show The S.P.A.A.C.E. Program!

Lucasfilm Hall H Panel Brings New Dark Siders, and Han Solo!

Lucasfilm Hall H Panel Brings New Dark Siders, and Han Solo!

article
11 Greatest Mustaches in TV History

11 Greatest Mustaches in TV History

article
Ryan Reynolds Guests as Deadpool in LOGAN's Honest Trailer

Ryan Reynolds Guests as Deadpool in LOGAN's Honest Trailer

article