The Physics of Superheroes in Movies and Television
Summary
The article explores various feats of physics performed by superheroes in movies and television. The speaker analyzes scenes from popular movies and TV shows and explains the physics behind them. They discuss topics such as the superhero landing, Black Panther’s suit, recoil, Wonder Woman’s ability to deflect bullets, Superman’s strength, Spider-Man’s attempt to prevent a boat from falling apart using his webs, and Captain America’s skydiving scene.
Table of Contents
- The Superhero Landing
- Black Panther’s Suit
- Recoil
- Wonder Woman’s Deflection
- Superman’s Strength
- Spider-Man’s Webbing
- Captain America’s Skydiving Scene
- Iron Man’s Solution to Multiple People Hanging in a Chain
- A-Train Running into a Giraffe
The Superhero Landing
The speaker starts by discussing the superhero landing, a common trope in superhero movies where the hero lands with one knee, one fist, and one foot on the ground, creating three contact points. They explain that this sudden movement is not practical and can be hard on the knee. Instead, it’s better to increase the distance over which you stop to decrease the force acting on the body.
Black Panther’s Suit
The speaker then moves on to Black Panther’s suit, which stores kinetic energy from bullets and releases it in an energy pole. The technology behind it is not fully understood, but it’s a fascinating concept.
Recoil
The speaker discusses the concept of recoil, where throwing something in one direction causes the person to move back in the opposite direction with the same change in momentum. They explain that the mass and momentum of an object determine its recoil.
Wonder Woman’s Deflection
The speaker analyzes Wonder Woman’s ability to deflect bullets. They explain that this feat is not impossible, as bullets can be deflected by a material with a high enough tensile strength, such as Wonder Woman’s bracelets.
Superman’s Strength
The speaker then moves on to Superman’s strength. They explain that Superman would not be able to support a building by pushing it from the middle due to insufficient contact area. The speaker emphasizes the importance of maintaining the integrity of a structure to prevent it from sinking.
Spider-Man’s Webbing
The speaker analyzes Spider-Man’s attempt to prevent a boat from falling apart using his webs. They explain that Spider-Man’s webs may not have been strong enough to prevent the boat from breaking apart, and Iron Man’s suit may have been more successful due to the strength of its micro thruster rockets.
Captain America’s Skydiving Scene
The speaker discusses Captain America’s skydiving scene and how he reaches terminal velocity before hitting the water feet first to increase his chances of survival.
Iron Man’s Solution to Multiple People Hanging in a Chain
The speaker then moves on to Iron Man’s proposed solution to multiple people hanging in a chain. They explain that electrically shocking their muscles may not work due to the unpredictability of the human body.
A-Train Running into a Giraffe
The transcript ends with a brief mention of a boy and a love interest, followed by a question about what would happen if a superhero named A-Train were to run into a giraffe.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the physics of superheroes in movies and television is a fascinating topic. While some feats may seem impossible, the laws of physics still apply. By analyzing these scenes, we can learn more about the science behind them and appreciate the creativity of the writers and filmmakers who bring these characters to life.
