Outline of the First Term Paper

Physics in “The Matrix”

I. Introduction – Free from the Matrix and free from the laws of physics
• a. Regular humans in the Matrix follow “normal” laws of physics, including gravity and time
• b. Those freed from the matrix can defy gravity
• c. Those freed from the matrix can also slow or stop time
• d. Thesis statement

II. Laws of gravity and time- If you are still enslaved by the Matrix, you fall at a normal rate and you cannot slow down time

• a. Police officers in opening scene
o Officers unable to shoot Trinity because she can slow time and they can’t
o Unable to jump across the building to the other building
• b. Neo’s jump test
o Neo falls similarly to a normal jump because he still believes in the reality of the matrix
• c. Gunfight with soldiers when Neo goes to rescue Morpheus

III. Free from the Matrix, free from the laws of gravity

• a. Trinity’s long jump across the buildings in the opening scene
o Trinity defies the laws of gravity by jumping a massive distance
• b. Fight scene between Neo and Morpheus
o Both Neo and Morpheus defy the laws of gravity with extra high jumps and staying in air for long periods of time
• c. Girl in Oracle’s house making wooden blocks float
• d. Neo and Agent Smith gunfight
• e. Neo flying at end of movie

IV. The laws of time twisted

• a. Trinity’s famous kick in the opening scene
o Trinity slows time to do that kick
• b. Fight scene between Neo and Morpheus
o Neo attacks Morpheus faster by speeding up the time of his attacks
• c. Neo’s bullet dodging scene
o Neo slows down time to dodge the bullets
• d. Neo making bullets stop in mid air at end

V. Conclusion

• a. Summarize points
• b. Restate thesis