Scientific Background for “Sound of Thunder” “A Sound of Thunder” By Ray Bradbury

Paradox A statement that seems impossible because it contradicts itself, but may contain some truth. Ex. This statement is a lie.

Time Travel Paradox If a man goes back in time and kills his grandfather, he can’t be born. Therefore, he cannot go back in time and kill his grandfather. So, his grandfather lives; he is born, and he goes back in time and kills his grandfather.

Butterfly Effect A component of chaos theory. It asserts that a small change in initial conditions can dramatically change the entire system. A butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil can cause a tornado in Kansas.

Butterfly Effect: Practical Example For want of the nail, the shoe was lost. For want of the shoe, the horse was lost. For want of the horse, the rider was lost. For want of the rider, the message was lost. For want of the message, the battle was lost. When the battle was lost, the war was lost…

Butterfly Effect: Practical Example The war was lost because of a missing horseshoe nail!!!!

“The Sound of Thunder” … ignores the time travel paradox … is based on the butterfly effect.