Praise for the physics of superheroes surprisingly enough, according to kakalios, comic books get their physics right more often than you d think. Could storm of the xmen possibly control the weather. James kakalios, author of the physics of superheroes, is kind of the goto guy when it comes to science in comic books. This book has been translated into german, spanish, italian, chinese and korean, and a spectacular second edition. Spectacular second edition, and he joins us from minnesota public radio in saint paul. Or, at least, they would without countermeasures like. Physics is not an easy subject, but jim kakalios helps people have a better understanding of the book. As the foreword comments, comic book heroes are fun, inclined planes arent. Wherever and whenever jim is needed and assuming he can find his keys, just call him and hell be there. Kakalios does not set out to show where the world of superheroes contradicts modern science, granting the heroes one or more miracle exceptions from natural law. Buy the physics of superheroes book online at low prices in india. James kakalios born december 27, 1958 is a physics professor at the university of minnesota.
The physics of superheroes by james kakalios was one of the most informative books which i have ever read. He sticks for the most part to the better known heroes like the flash, the xmen, spiderman and, of course, superman. Test your knowledge of the physical world with this fun questionnaire that takes physics to a superheroic level. I found myself fascinated by the physics lessons and by his commanding knowledge of comic book history. James kakalios knows that he will be forever linked to the physics of spiderman. Superheroes dont have to obey the laws of physics and thats probably what makes them so attractive to the poor physicists who labor long and hard in the hope of making those laws work correctly. Jim kakalios is recognized as the worlds expert on the physics of superheroes, but apparently his talents also extend to the real world.
The science behind superheroes super powers abound in comic books but not so much in the real world. Comic books actually get their science right more often than you think, said kakalios, who wrote a book, the physics of superheroes, in 2005. From interviews, speaking engagements, or consulting on the latest blockbuster film, jim will always save the day. James kakalios, author of the physics of superheroes. So, how does the science of superheroes stack up when its put under the microscope. Review knowledge of sound, light, outer space and friction with this fun worksheet. The physics of superheroes is a popular science book by physics professor and longtime comicbook fan james kakalios. When he started teaching a freshman seminar class in 2001 based on the physics of superheroes, he had little inkling that it would soon lead to a whole series of popular lectures, a popular book, and even a gig consulting on a major hollywood motion picture. The physics of superheroes was published in 2005 in the u. Getting the god of thunders science straight scientific. James kakalios, a physics professor at the university of minnesota, has produced a book, the physics of superheroes now in paperback.
James kakalios is a professor of physics at the university of minnesota. But, physics requires that the change in the heros momentum as a result of the strike must be equal and opposite to the change in the baddies momentum. Known within the scientific community for his work with amorphous semiconductors, granular materials, and 1f noise, he is known to the general public as the author of the book the physics of superheroes, which considers comic book superheroes from the standpoint of fundamental physics. The physics of superheroes by james kakalios, 9781592405084, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. In a chronological series of brief and accessible chapterstitled, for example, you begin your day, you drive into the city, you go to the airportkakalios physicsuniv. Along the way, the physics of superheroesexplores everything from energy, to thermodynamics, to quantum mechanics, to solid state physics, and kakalios relates the physics in comic books to such realworld applications as automobile airbags, microwave ovens, and transistors. James kakalios author of the physics of superheroes. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the physics of superheroes. Physics professor, bestselling author, and dynamic storyteller james kakalios reveals the mindbending science behind the seemingly basic things that keep our daily lives running, from our smart phones and digital clouds to xray machines and hybrid vehicles. A lifelong fan of comics, kakalios is now a professor of physics at the university of minnesota and the author of the physics of superheroes, a book inspired by a class he taught for incoming freshman and nonphysics majors. What if superhero movies actually followed the laws of. Kakalios, author of the physics of star trek, answers these questions and more in this engaging and informative look at the surprising role of physics in comic books. The physics of superheroes by james kakalios provides high interest superherobased reading that addresses difficult to understand physics concepts. First published in 2005, it explores the basic laws of physics.
The popularity of his seminar titled everything i know about physics i learned by reading comic books led to the publication of the physics of superheroes. Any discussion of physics in comic books naturally invites the xiv preface. 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 coasttocoast media attention for its unique method of explaining complex physics concepts. 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. How strong would superman have to be to leap tall buildings in a single bound.
Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the authors. Everything i know about physics i learned by reading comic books, which led to my writing a popular science book the physics of superheroes, published by gotham books in 2005. James kakalios is a physics professor at the university of minnesota. 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. He jokes frequently that even if he were to win three. The physics of super heroes by james kakalios is published. Kakalios draws examples from the socalled silver age of comics, which ran from approximately 1956 to 1973. Rather, all of the examples come from superhero comic books and in particular, those cases where the superheroes get their physics right. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The extraordinary science behind an ordinary day ebook written by james kakalios. In this exceptionally entertaining episode of the russell scott show hd, professor james kakalios teaches us about comic superheroes and how they relate to the science of physics. The physics of superheroes kindle edition by kakalios, james. Join in the fun as we explore physics through comic book examples where the superheroes got their physics right.
A renowned physicist and science popularizer explains the principles underlying technologies that comprise the modern mundane. Spectacular second edition, professor james kakalios explains in a fun and accessible manner a broad range of physics, from isaac newton to the transistor but theres not an inclined plane or pulley in sight. Learn what the physics of forces and motion can reveal about supermans strength, and what would happen if the atom could travel on an electron through a. The boston globe writing with tongue firmly planted in cheek, kakalios looks at classic comics with a physicist s eye. James kakalios is a professor in the school of physics and astronomy at the university of minnesota, where he has taught since 1988, and where his class everything i needed to know about physics i learned from reading comic books is a popular freshman seminar. My students need high interest reading material regarding the physics of motion, such as the physics of superheroes. Explore the uncanny physics of superhero comic books in. James kakalios, author of the physics of superheroes, talks to me about his favorite heroes, his teaching methods and the new amazing spiderman movie. The physics of superheroes by james kakalios overdrive. Professor james kakalios shows that comicbook heroes and villains get their physics right more often that you would think. Rather, all the examples come from superhero comic books, and as much as possible, those cases where the superheroes get their physics right. The physics of superheroes by james kakalios goodreads.
James kakalios is convincing enough to make you believe that superheroes really do exist. Superhero comics offer super physics lessons mit news. University of minnesota physics professor james kakalios has been doing it since 1995, when he explained the principle of conservation of momentum by calculating the force of spidermans web when it snagged the superheros girlfriend as she plummeted from a great height. His second title, the amazing story of quantum mechanics, was released in october 2010 and his most recent book, the physics of everyday things. The physics of superheroes by jim kakalios superbly explains the understanding of physics in a fun and new way. The physics of superheroes by james kakalios kirkus. Youll also see how comic books have often been ahead of science in. Can you teach a physics class with only comic books to illustrate the principles. In one comic book, an evil character proposes finding the location of the bat cave by burying sticks of dynamite and detecting the differences in the resulting sound waves. Professor james kakalios, author of the physics of superheroes, explains it pretty simply.
Rather, all of the examples come from superhero comic books and in particular, those cases where the superheroes get their. Now kakalios presents a totally updated, expanded edition that features even more superheroes. Any lover of superheroes with a yearn to read funny textbooks is honorbound to pick up this piece of reference by james kakalios. I personally tend to read more fantasy and fiction than nonfiction or educational books, generally fearing that i will easily become bored and have wasted my time with purely factual books. This class drew a great deal of media attention in 2002 with the release of the first spiderman film, and led to my writing a popular science book the physics of superheroes. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the physics of everyday things. Like asmus, james kakalios was probably one of those kids who liked to pretend he was a superhero. By combining his love for physics with his love of comic books, university of minnesota physicist. The physics of superheroes for physics for physicists.
This terrific book demonstrates a number of important points. The uncanny physics of superhero comic books maths. James kakalios explores the scientific plausibility of. 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. My students need high interest reading material regarding the physics of motion. The physics of superheroes kindle edition by kakalios. The uncanny physics of superhero comic books stanford. Now kakalios presents a totally updated, expanded edition that features even more superheroes and findings from the cutting edge of science. The physics of superheroes donorschoose project by mrs.
291 1322 921 985 196 8 1426 1516 1043 126 330 721 649 674 666 1006 399 235 292 836 95 431 434 787 1342 96 94 1041 1452 726 562