The Physics of Superheroes

by Kakalios, James

• ISBN13: 9781592402427
• ISBN10: 1592402429
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-09-21
• Publisher: Gotham

Summary

The Physics of Superheroesapplies the reality of physics to the fantasy of comic books. James Kakalios explores the scientific plausibility of the powers and feats of the most famous superheroes—and discovers that in many cases the comic writers got their science surprisingly right. Along the way he provides an engaging and witty commentary while introducing the lay reader to both classic and cutting-edge concepts in physics, including: • What Superman’s strength can tell us about the Newtonian physics of force, mass, and acceleration • How Iceman’s and Storm’s powers illustrate the principles of thermal dynamics • The physics behind the death of Spider-Man’s girlfriend Gwen Stacy • Why physics professors gone bad are the most dangerous evil geniuses! BACKCOVER: Praise for The Physics of Superheroes Surprisingly enough, according to Kakalios, comic books get their physics right more often than you’d think.” —The Boston Globe Writing with tongue firmly planted in cheek, Kakalios looks at classic comics with a physicist’s eye. . . . Outstanding.” —The Orlando Sentinel Kakalios, a University of Minnesota physicist and unrepentant comics nerd, offers up jovial, largely equation-free deconstructions of Ant-Man’s shrinking ability, the centripetal acceleration of Spider-Man’s swing, and the strength of his silk web.” —Discover Wildly entertaining, yet scientifically accurate… Comprises a fairly solid introductory education in physics, sweetened with a history lesson in classic comic book superheroes.” —Metro Offers a droll but sincere look at what Superman and Spider-Man can teach about physics. . . . Entertaining. . . . His explanations are lucid and smooth.” —Sciencemagazine

Author Biography

James Kakalios is a physics professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota, where he has been teaching since 1988.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD	xiii
PREFACE	xv
INTRODUCTION: SECRET ORIGINS: HOW SCIENCE SAVED SUPERHERO COMIC BOOKS	1	(20)
SECTION 1 MECHANICS
1. UP, UP, AND AWAY
FORCES AND MOTION	21	(12)
2. DECONSTRUCTING KRYPTON
NEWTON'S LAW OF GRAVITY	33	(9)
3. THE DAY GWEN STACY DIED
IMPULSE AND MOMENTUM	42	(11)
4. CAN HE SWING FROM A THREAD?
CENTRIPETAL ACCELERATION	53	(4)
5. FLASH FACTS
FRICTION, DRAG, AND SOUND	57	(12)
6. LIKE A FLASH OF LIGHTNING
SPECIAL RELATIVITY	69	(6)
7. IF THIS BE MY DENSITY
PROPERTIES OF MATTER	75	(9)
8. CAN ANT-MAN PUNCH HIS WAY OUT OF A PAPER BAG?
TORQUE AND ROTATION	84	(8)
9. IS ANT-MAN DEAF, DUMB, AND BLIND
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION	92	(8)
10. DOES SIZE MATTER?
THE CUBE-SQUARE LAW	100	(11)
SECTION 2 ENERGY-HEAT AND LIGHT
11. THE CENTRAL CITY DIET PLAN
CONSERVATION OF ENERGY	111
12. THE CASE OF THE MISSING WORK
THE THREE LAWS OF THERMODYNAMICS	129	(17)
13. MUTANT METEOROLOGY
CONDUCTION AND CONVECTION	146	(12)
14. HOW THE MONSTROUS MENACE OF THE MYSTERIOUS MELTER MAKES DINNER PREPARATION A BREEZE
PHASE TRANSITIONS	158	(8)
15. ELECTRO'S CLINGING WAYS
ELECTROSTATICS	166	(10)
16. SUPERMAN SCHOOLS SPIDER-MAN
ELECTRICAL CURRENTS	176	(8)
17. HOW ELECTRO BECOMES MAGNETO WHEN HE RUNS
AMPERE'S LAW	184	(7)
18. HOW MAGNETO BECOMES ELECTRO WHEN HE RUNS
MAGNETISM AND FARADAY'S LAW	191	(11)
19. ELECTRO AND MAGNETO DO THE WAVE
ELECTROMAGNETISM AND LIGHT	202	(13)
SECTION 3 MODERN PHYSICS
20. JOURNEY INTO THE MICROVERSE
ATOMIC PHYSICS	215	(14)
21. NOT A DREAM! NOT A HOAX! NOT AN IMAGINARY TALE!
QUANTUM MECHANICS	229	(20)
22. THROUGH A WALL LIGHTLY
TUNNELING PHENOMENA	249	(8)
23. SOCK IT TO SHELLHEAD
SOLID-STATE PHYSICS	257	(24)
SECTION 4 WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
24. ME AM BIZARRO!
SUPERHERO BLOOPERS	281	(19)
AFTERWORD: LO, THERE SHALL BE AN ENDING!	300	(5)
ASK DR. K!	305	(6)
RECOMMENDED READING	311	(6)
KEY EQUATIONS	317	(6)
NOTES	323	(22)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	345	(4)
INDEX	349