public static double getPowerDifference(Laser l, double elapsedTime){
		double diff = 0;
		double totalPower = 0;
		double power = 0;
		if(l.parent instanceof Ship){
			totalPower = ((Ship)l.parent).getTotalPower();
			power = ((Ship)l.parent).getPower();
		}else if(l.parent instanceof Turret){
			totalPower = ((Ship)((Turret)l.parent).getParent()).getTotalPower();
			power = ((Turret)l.parent).power;
		}
		
		//makes sure that the spawning device has enough total power to power
		//this laser, if it doesn't, then the lasers power will only register as a 1.
		if(totalPower < 3){
			power = 1;
		}else{
			power = l.power;
		}
		diff = (power/1000) * elapsedTime;
		return diff;
	}