P1 4 The Thermodynamics of Undead Motion: Energy Required to Animate a Severed Hand

Abstract

In this paper, the energy requirements to animate a severed hand (such as Thing in Netflix’s
Wednesday) are estimated by considering the mechanical work per step, 0.343J, the chemical
energy supplied by ATP hydrolysis, 1.37J, and the inefficiencies inherent in biological motion,
with 75% of chemical energy dissipated as heat per step. This study also investigates electrical
energy sources, of magnitude ∼ 10⁷J, that could power a severed hand. A conclusion is made
that, while the energy demands per step are modest compared to biological norms, sustaining this
motion would require a continuous and reliable energy reservoir.