Pokmon Physics

Some of us who watch the TV show or play the Pokémon game view the Pokémon and its machines and wonder, How do they do it? If the world of Pokémon is real, it is based on the incomprehensible efforts of science. Pokémon are the work of genetics, Poké Balls are the work of chemistry and computer science, and the Pokémon League is what arises out of the qualities and special properties of the Pokémon. The following describes my ideas on how some certain aspects of Pokémon could be explained in the modern world. Please remember that the game and the TV show are not real life, and as such, some aspects could be deemed impossible in modern times.

Ash's world

Ash Ketchum lives in an alternate version of the earth. Apparently, this world has the same technologies as our world, such as PC's, but other important technologies, such as airplanes, cars, and trucks, are rarely seen or used if ever. (Because pre-teens are allowed to leave the house with no curfews, ground traffic must not exist in this world.) However, other vehicles, like hot-air balloons, submarines, and blimps are found in the Pokémon world. Other things, like weapons (guns, rarely), are not available.

The Pokémon

The Pokémon, if they actually exist, are genetically created living organisms which share an unknown common factor making them alike. Most of them speak their own name (explained below), and, in some respects, can act human despite their looks. Therefore, they are very friendly to and are capable of obeying human beings. Because Pokémon look quite similar to today's earth creatures, it is possible that they might be of the future.

Historically, Pokémon existed for hundreds of thousands of years, before (futuristic) human civilization. When Pokémon were more diverse and populated, so were humans. In time, these monsters somehow learned to coexist with humans. (It may be possible that at an unknown time, humans formed a utopian society involving Pokémon.)

Pokémon Evolution

There are several theories of Pokémon evolution, but the common factor of all of them is that the evolutions of Pokémon are simply stages of a Pokémon's life. The first theory is metamorphosis, as in insects and frogs. Thus, the final evolution is a Pokémon's "adult" state. The second is rapid growth spurts. As in the Darwinian evolution theory, animals and other organisms evolve in order to become more adaptive to their surroundings. However, this change, in the case of Pokémon, occurs rapidly (probably after they mature) and within the same life form.

Pokémon's Speech

The Pokémon can speak their own name, with a surprisingly human quality. Perhaps (and this could bias the theory that Pokémon are genetically created) the words they can speak are based on their appearances and characteristics. The ability for Pokémon to speak comes naturally, and they can adjust this speech to give emotions or other abilities.

Pokémon Attacks and Types

Pokémon cells probably contain a DNA triple helix. This opens up many possibilities for their body composition.
Fire types - Fire Pokémon are mostly made of acid particles. The acid must be combustible so that when it reacts with air, the acid ignites. The Pokémon's cells probably produce a lot of acid for the Pokémon. More acid is needed for more complex attacks like Fire Blast. The acid does not combust within the Pokémon's body. Also, acid production varies with the emotion.
Water types - Most of the human body is made up of water. Water Pokémon probably have a mechanism for storing and compressing water within their bodies in order to use it for attacks later.
Psychic types - Psychic Pokémon have brains more complex than our own, allowing them to perform tasks never believed possible, such as teleportation.

Note that some attacks Pokémon possess could go beyond scientific possibility (Razor Leaf, Transform, Metronome), and the strange appearances of some Pokémon could not be possible as well.

Smeargle's tail

Smeargle's tail is composed of a paint that can change colors at Smeargle's will. But what is the paint made of? One theory might be that the "paint" is from Speargle's bloodstream. Another theory (the more probable one) is that the substance is secreted and produced by glands on its tail. When Smeargle wants to paint, it thinks of a color, and the glands blend special pigments with the secreted substance to create the color. The "paint" is then released from the body into its tail. However, one Smeargle can produce a single color, but many different colors are possible. This can be explained by the fact that the pigment the Smeargle will get is determined by its genes.

Porygon

Porygon is the first Pokémon created in the laboratory. Since it consists entirely of data and can be seen by humans, we wonder how this "data" is shown. Probably Porygon consists not of magnetic data but a new kind of data called "holographic" data. A recently discovered, unknown property of human eyes probably projects this data and transforms it into a hologram. The programming code helps create the shape of the hologram. Since it is made up of code, it is doubtful that it is able to reproduce, like most other Pokémon.
Since this new technology was discovered, it could be used to build better Pokémon. But why is this not so? Maybe Porygon took a long time to build, and scientists haven't yet delved into the possibilities of holographic data any further.

The Stones that cause evolution

The Stones contain a radioactive material that doesn't affect humans, animals, or many Pokémon. This material causes metamorphosis to occur in some Pokémon by triggering its brain.

The Poké Ball

The Poké Ball is a technology that could go beyond comprehension of today's laws of physics. Let me explain it the best way that I can.

The Poké Balls are about 2 inches in diameter. They are composed of Apricorns (probably the native fruit in the Pokémon world), carved into a sphere and fitted with a special device, which is the mechanism of the Poké Ball. The regular Poké Balls are colored red, white and black. The device in the ball contains an internal pressure gauge. When the button on the ball is pressed, one of two things is done:

• When the ball does not detect a Pokémon inside, it searches for a Pokémon, opens itself, has a laser shot to the Pokémon to be called, and sends it into the ball.
  The process involves both miniaturization of the Pokémon and conversion of matter and energy. After a laser is shot to the Pokémon, it (somehow) converts the Pokémon into pure electromagnetic energy. The ball then uses suction to send this energy into the ball. Once inside the ball, it modifies the energy so that when it is converted back into matter, the Pokémon becomes miniaturized, a tiny version of itself.
  There are some problems with the energy conversion that have been tackled (see later).
  Rarely, a Poké Ball succeeds in miniaturizing another Poké Ball with a Pokémon inside.
• When the ball detects a Pokémon inside, it opens itself, and sends it out of the ball by doing the opposite process.

Note that not all Pokémon catches are successful. If a Pokémon is strong enough, it may break free from the ball before the energy conversion process could complete, thus rendering the Poké Ball no longer usable. This can happen probably because the Poké Ball has sustained all the stress it can handle and can't take it any more. Better balls, like the Master Ball, are better built using this fact. Only when the energy conversion process finishes is a Pokémon considered caught. You may also note that Poké Balls can change size. This is probably done using the same technology used to miniaturize Pokémon, or that the balls are composed of a heat-sensitive material that shrinks when cooled.

The problems with energy conversion

The Poké Balls convert the Pokémon into electromagnetic energy. When electromagnetic energy comes in contact with matter, it becomes thermal energy, the energy of heat. However, many Pokémon contain so much energy as to heat water to millions of degrees, and which will also melt the Poké Ball! In order to keep the converted energy into electromagnetic energy, the ball is probaly packed with electrical wiring that goes around the inner casings of the ball.

The Pokédex

This hand-held device has several impressive features. This explains the most common.

The detection of new Pokémon

The Pokédex probably contains sensors that detect Pokémon, like the Poké Ball. It will detect wild Pokémon and Pokémon caught by trainers. In "seen" mode, it will capture a picture of the Pokémon may receive information from Professor Oak's lab to explain the Pokémon.

Voice system

The voice in Ash's Pokédex, which sounds much like Professor Oak's, is very elaborate for a hand-held device. Today's advances with computer voices may imply that this could be a thing of the near future. The information downloaded into the Pokédex is "read" in real time.

Pokédex Observation

Sometimes, during Ash's quest, the Pokédex (we'll call it "Dexter") may perform an "observation" mode. This mode could be monitored by Professor Oak, who sees over Dexter, examines the area, and gives Dexter instruction.