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Gotham
October 2006
On Sale: May 5, 2008
384 pages
ISBN: 1592402429
EAN: 9781592402427
Paperback
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Science Fiction
The Physics of Superheroes applies 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.”
—Science magazine
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