Physics of Superheroes

[@NeedsContent]

They should have called this guy before filming Man of Steel

[@ChalkiePerfect]

I love James Kakalios. He uses comics and pop-culture to illustrate scientific principles, but the applications are never strained like they are with some authors. With Dr. Kakalios, you get the impression that his knowledge--both of physics and of comics and sci-fi B-movies--is so vast, that it's simple for him to find the perfect example of any scientific point he wants to make. His books are the kind of science writing you read equally for the science and for the writing.

[@chrisdickeson91]

EPIC i wouldn't of dropped out of school if i had this guys as a teacher!

[@Mr_BenPrime]

Wouldn't surprise me, he was probably taking notes.

[@lussonr]

He was my favorite University professor. Love his sense of humor.

[@TomCatPS4]

No way...I did this exact same spiderman and falling girl example in my physics class

[@Arthurpendragon2]

This guy is my hero.

[@ioriyagami]

in comics there is a power that is there but rarely mentioned. its called "Might". supposedly if you achieve a certain amount of strength that exceeds mortal abilities you gain a "Might Field" this "Might Field" extends to things that you are lifting so that they dont break from lifting or tearing the part they are holding onto off. Superman abuses this power in a way that bullets dont damage his suit. there is even an instance that superman protects Lois just by keeping her close to his chest.

[@KalElKentPhoto]

Had a U.S. History teacher in high school who had rather unique teaching methods and was rather animated. Reminded me of this fellow.

[@MrJimkg]

This should be on cable. Very good mix of science, what we watch and read. He is funny and smart.

[@ArrexAttack]

Using magnets to pick up fridges like a boss.

[@NeedsContent]

46:20 reminds me of Superman Returns, when he picks up an entire continent.

[@dyrokudobane]

Man, I wish I had a Physics class just like this.

[@roetheboat1]

I remember reading his book in High School. :)

[@jestermonkey2]

I watched an hour long program on Discovery wherein biologists and spider experts were interviewed. This happened to be soon after Spider-man 2 was released. Anyway, the thing that this Professor is missing is something the arachnid experts said: If Spider-man also inherited particular musculature traits then his arm would not be pulled out of socket due to the muscles having little "springs" in-between them that act as shock absorbers. Therefore Spidey's muscles can stretch and bend a little.

[@spacepirateivynova]

wait wait wait... Electro handles lighting based stuff, IE: static electricity. Creating magnetic forces on those levels with an electric force that is a buildup of charge on the outside of something (citing skin effect) how could he... never mind, i forget that these are comic books sometimes...

[@MrPleers]

I,m Dutch.And very proud of the fact that we have the only frog amusement park in the world.

[@AthanasiosK]

Well, I think he knows that but in 19:45 momentum is represented with p because it is not actually represented with p, it's actually ρ . That's the greek letter ρ because the symbolization of momentum comes from the greek word ροπή which means momentum obviously.

[@themangacollector57]

that makes sense except one power heat vision

[@cpo335]

LMAO The guy looks at Superman and looks at the way he's dressed, and strangely decides not to cooperate. ROFL

[@hoss3006]

I REALLY enjoyed this!! Thank you for posting!

[@midsnacker]

This should just air instead of The Big Bang Theory.

[@spacepirateivynova]

one more thing, the force of the bullet impact decreases when spread out over a larger surface area. That's how modern body armor works.

[@PoopyBarfy]

This man needs an award!

[@DoctorOrion1]

I used to have a physics professor just like this guy!

[@TubiogPatrickFilm]

Science is fun again!

[@euducationator]

personally, I think that superheros whoes powers are a puerly natural phenomonon should follow the rules of science as closely as possible.

[@ciyean]

Yea he ended that like a beast.

[@wallysaruman]

Awesome! I gotta meet this guy in person.

[@bbfan77]

Oh my glob! You're right! :D It DOES sound a lot like Stan Lee xD

[@optimus2g]

this guy is awesome!

[@Carl-LaFong1618]

he should make an appearance on the big bang theory. maybe arguing about comics the way they do.

[@spacepirateivynova]

If you want to see diamagnetic "levitation", pyrolytic graphite can be suspended in the magnetic field of neodymium magnets. Also, one could use a high frequency EM field to manipulate normally nonmagnetic, but conductive materials. The aluminum ring being thrown from an electromagnet is cited as the prime experiment to accomplish this. Also, thinking of Electro again, if he could use static to stick to the wall like a balloon, oh wait, metal rail would neutralize that effect...

[@spacepirateivynova]

I have a device that will turn lower elements into gold... but only a few atoms at a time. I hope to cash in in oh, a few hundred billion years. We'll need a new solar system by then; but we need to have a positive outlook on these things. Also, I think the power bill for running a linear accelerator would far outstrip the amount of gold atoms one could make. Thwarted again by thermodynamics and economics.

[@GirlsSociety2]

This is fantastic, keeping superheroes right!

[@sendercorp]

He is super cool .

[@TheNewRiflemanBob]

Wow, this was a great lecture!

[@strongforce79]

What a great speaker

[@khemetic]

excellent and very funny must watch

[@finnderbird]

awesome well done!

[@MIDImorphosis]

I don't care what anyone says, Steve Carrell does amazing stand up.

[@kait_superheroic]

Just noticed his tie. If I was a guy, I would but that tie.

[@WYCD]

A wonderful video!

[@ClearNinjaFox]

surely entertaining

[@0ion]

I had his book and didn't even know it. :| Im gonna go read it now..

[@wolvie041007]

loved the video.

[@Farscryer0]

The Flash (or rather, the latest Flash) can literally tap into the *essence* of ultimate velocity, the Speed Force. The Flash is the strongest super hero in DC, barring only the Presence, the DC universe's concept of God.

[@brainlicker1]

its like john lovitv meets steven hawking

[@DoctorThomasElliot]

Awesome!

[@airdaleva42]

Every teacher should watch this lecture.

[@MrHartBatman]

It's not because it's attracted drains. lol

[@bluesnagg]

He never mentions the time that Capt. Marvel lifted and carried away the entire continent of South America once! LOL!

[@Castrimaris]

I'm in love.

[@HDxMeDalzz]

ingenious

[@Gab8riel]

Only 1 hour?

[@Fleshcut]

Cyclops doesn't actually create and shoot laser beams with his eyes, right? Weren't his eyes dimensional portals to a non-einsteinian universe?

[@xscab999]

Physicists

[@Torn9696]

this is brilliant :)

[@cyer5]

fantastic

[@kaitlyngret]

I was there

[@sashybigfoot]

To The Drain!!!

[@collinsdarkwa281]

Very Interesting

[@nevin2581]

This is the stuff that should be on our TVs instead of trash "reality" & silly sitcoms with their canned laughter. This man needs a medal. No wait. SEVERAL MEDALS. And for those who laugh at my reply think about this - without physics that computer or smartphone youre reading this on...wouldnt exist or work!!

[@Bateman0983]

Is it just me or does the questioneer at 1:01:20 sound a LOT like Stan Lee? (he has a youtube channel if you need a reference)

[@sophiefox5623]

Just Amazing!!!

[@TheChosenStory]

interesting

[@zyderman2050]

I have his book!! :D

[@finn738]

The Flash

[@dotdotdotdot93]

SUPERMAN IS FASTER!!!!! He can fly around the world fast enough to reverse time!!!!

[@hollaboutit]

he sounds like the professor from the simpsons...

[@quarkzorb]

Appreciate this! :)

[@wbldarkness37]

^^^the greatest youtube name and picture ive ever seen^^^^

[@2222programmer]

why is it 240p ??

[@tbagnfacefuker266]

TO THE DRAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@pearsonm957]

Required Secondary Powers, its a fact

[@Hascuce]

goblin always knew it was the webbign that killed her. he was trying to work spidey's inability to save her at the time, how powerless he is to help anyone. in alter years he figured guilt was a better tool to annoy spidey. sorry, 30 years of being writen by many many great writers, it really does not comes back to your letter to wizard to fix a "wrong" it was borderline cute, and then it became pompous.

[@Strider1Wilco]

No that is a terrible stereotype. Not all of them like comic books and media.

[@deyomash]

23 people obviously

[@kev1257ful]

he sounds like he has a cold.

[@aidan50203]

Earthquake by Tinie Tempah music video- 1,573 dislikes Thriller by Michael Jackson, dance by CPDRC inmates- 4,849 dislikes Evolution of Dance by Judson Laipply- 67,690 dislikes Charlie bit my finger- 108,082 dislikes Physics of Superheroes by James Kakalios-... Who says physics is boring?

[@TenteixSaigo]

Why didn't he mention the shit that I do?

[@aidan50203]

1:01:21 does that voice sound like Stan Lee? Or is it just me...

[@boom8088]

I count only 4 people.

[@sleddogrunner]

he look's and laugh's like dave cartell tumb's up if you agree folk's..ha

[@Dr.Barber]

don't..... even....

[@mrnicelynicely1]

he looks a bit like James Gandolfini.

[@marcushaydar9882]

lol

[@SuperPhoenix5]

It only has 26,558 views... Charlie bit my finger 504,270,888 views.

[@ThompsonSeedless]

because that show sucks that's why

[@DARKOASISOfficial]

comic sans for the win

[@Dr.Barber]

we really shouldn't have told DC about quantum theory- they just do it badly

[@MIDImorphosis]

Lol bit of an awkward reaction to him saying 'Stephen Hawking...who's not a genius?', since it sounds like 'Stephen Hawking....who's not a genius..'

[@TwistedSynn]

I think what he meant is he's not a genius, the question was who's the most famous scientist you know, the answer was Stephen Hawkings so he replies "Who's not a genius" so then the other guy replied "o' then you" he was referring to himself as not being a genius.

[@cha5]

Save it for your church sermon Elmer Gantry.

[@gokusan8717]

wow boring lol

[@2222programmer]

why is it 240p ?