Game Theory: Portal 2, Does Chell DIE? | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

In Portal 2, Chell survives in the vacuum of space for 28 seconds due to a rush of air coming through the open portal, and she could potentially survive longer based on scientific evidence.

Key Insights

• 👾 Humans can survive exposure to the vacuum of space for a few minutes, although it is not a pleasant experience.
• 💨 Chell's 28-second visit to the vacuum of space in Portal 2 is highly likely survivable due to the rush of air blowing her away from the moon's surface.
• 👱 The air flowing out of the portal in Portal 2 would be traveling at a speed comparable to Mach 1.2, and Chell has a decent chance of remaining unharmed.
• 👾 The accuracy of the depiction of surviving in space in Portal 2 highlights the game's adherence to real-world science.
• 👾 Chell's survival in space is possible but doesn't guarantee her safety back on Earth.
• 😍 The rush of air in the testing chamber creates a massive pressure difference, causing everything to be blown out into space.
• 🐎 Wind speeds in a similar experiment by NACA reached 457 miles per hour, and Chell experiences double that speed in Portal 2.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: Can humans survive in the vacuum of space?

Yes, experiments have shown that humans can survive exposure to space's vacuum conditions for a few minutes. Lung expansion and tissue damage are possible challenges, among others.

Q: How did Chell survive her 28-second visit to the moon?

Chell likely survived by keeping her lungs as empty as possible to prevent severe internal tissue damage. The lack of air in space isn't what would kill her, but rather the rush of air on Earth when everything in the testing chamber gets blown out into space.

Q: Shouldn't the gravity of the moon pull Chell down when she's on the moon's surface?

No, the gravity of the moon wouldn't pull her down because she is constantly being blown out by the rush of air coming through the portal.

Q: How fast is the air flowing out of the portal in Portal 2?

Based on calculations, the air would be traveling at a speed of 407 meters per second or 910 miles per hour, which is double the wind speeds in a test conducted by NACA.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Portal 2 follows the story of Chell, who escapes the Aperture Science facility by defeating the corrupted AI Wheatley with the help of GLaDOS. In the final boss battle, Chell shoots a portal at the moon, exposing them all to the vacuum of space.

• Contrary to popular belief, humans can survive exposure to space's vacuum conditions for a few minutes, as shown in experiments on animals and humans.

• Chell's 28-second visit to the vacuum of space is highly likely survivable, although she faces challenges such as lung expansion, tissue damage from lower boiling points of water, and bloating due to vaporization of liquids in her body.