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This title in other editionsThe Physics of Superheroesby James Kakalios
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments: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 superheroesaand 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:
a What Supermanas strength can tell us about the Newtonian physics of force, mass, and acceleration a How Icemanas and Stormas powers illustrate the principles of thermal dynamics a The physics behind the death of Spider-Manas girlfriend Gwen Stacy a Why physics professors gone bad are the most dangerous evil geniuses BACKCOVER: Praise for The Physics of Superheroes aSurprisingly enough, according to Kakalios, comic books get their physics right more often than youad think.a aThe Boston Globe aWriting with tongue firmly planted in cheek, Kakalios looks at classic comics with a physicistas eye. . . . Outstanding.a aThe Orlando Sentinel aKakalios, a University of Minnesota physicist and unrepentant comics nerd, offers up jovial, largely equation-free deconstructions of Ant-Manas shrinking ability, the centripetal acceleration of Spider-Manas swing, and the strength of his silk web.a aDiscover aWildly entertaining, yet scientifically accuratea] Comprises a fairly solid introductory education in physics, sweetened with a history lesson in classic comic book superheroes.a aMetro aOffers a droll but sincere look at what Superman and Spider-Man can teach about physics. . . .Entertaining. . . . His explanations are lucid and smooth.a aScience magazine Synopsis:Packed with more superheroes and superpowers than an Avengers-Justice League crossover, this title takes a lively look at the physics behind the superpowers of comic-book heroes.
Synopsis:A complete update to the hit book on the real physics at work in comic books, featuring more heroes, more villains, and more science
Since 2001, James Kakalios has taught "Everything I Needed to Know About Physics I Learned from Reading Comic Books," a hugely popular university course that generated coast-to-coast media attention for its unique method of explaining complex physics concepts through comics. With The Physics of Superheroes, named one of the best science books of 2005 by Discover, he introduced his colorful approach to an even wider audience. Now Kakalios presents a totally updated, expanded edition that features even more superheroes and findings from the cutting edge of science. With three new chapters and completely revised throughout with a splashy, redesigned package, the book that explains why Spider-Man's webbing failed his girlfriend, the probable cause of Krypton's explosion, and the Newtonian physics at work in Gotham City is electrifying from cover to cover. About the AuthorJames Kakalios is a professor of physics at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He has published more than one hundred physics papers and has conducted research on a variety of obscure physical phenomena. He serves as a science consultant on the adaptation of the graphic novel Watchmen into a major feature film.
Table of ContentsThe Physics of Super Heroes Foreword Preface to the Second Edition Introduction: Secret Origins: How Science Saved Superhero Comic Books Section 1-Mechanics 1. Up, Up, and Away-Forces and Motion 2. Deconstructing Krypton-Newton's Law of Gravity 3. The Day Gwen Stacy Died-Impulse and Momentum 4. Flash Facts-Friction, Drag, and Sound 5. If This Be My Density-Properties of Matter 6. So He Talks to Fishes, Want to Make Something of It?-Fluid Mechanics 7. Can He Swing From a Thread?-Centripetal Acceleration 8. Can Ant-Man Punch His Way Out of a Paper Bag?-Torque and Rotation 9. The Human Top Goes Out for a Spin-Angular Momentum 10. Is Ant-Man Deaf, Dumb, and Blind?-Simple Harmonic Motion 11.Like a Flash of Lightning-Special Relativity Section 2-Energy-Heat and Light 12. The Central City Diet Plan-Conservation of Energy 13. The Case of the Missing Work-The Three Laws of Thermodynamics 14. Mutant Meteorology-Conduction and Convection 15. How the Monstrous Menace of the Mysterious Melter Makes Dinner Preparation a Breeze-Phase Transitions 16. Electro's Clinging Ways-Electrostatics 17. Superman Schools Spider-Man-Electrical Currents 18. How Electro Becomes Magneto When He Runs-Ampere's Law 19. How Magneto Becomes Electro When He Runs-Magnetism and Faraday's Law 20. Electro and Magneto Do the Wave-Electromagnetism and Light Section 3-Modern Physics 21. Journey Into the Microverse-Atomic Physics 22. Not a Dream! Not a Hoax! Not an Imaginary Tale!-Quantum Mechanics 23. Through a Wall Lightly-Tunneling Phenomena 24. Sock It to Shellhead-Solid-State Physics 25. The Costumes are Super, Too-Materials Science Section 4-What Have We Learned? 26. Me Am Bizarro!-Superhero Bloopers Afterword-Lo, There Shall Be an Ending! Recommended Reading Key Equations Notes Acknowledgments Index What Our Readers Are SayingBe the first to add a comment for a chance to win!Product Details
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