Physics of Superheroes

Introduction

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:

Topics Covered

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!