Professor Teaches Physics Through Superheroes in New Book

Science can often be a grueling, thankless chore. All those equations to memorize -- and does anyone really know how to work a TI-89 calculator?

For everyone with an allergy to the topic, University of Minnesota professor James Kakalios presents "The Physics of Super Heroes," a book that teaches hard science using "case studies" from classic comics. (Kakalios also teaches a freshman seminar on the topic.)

Students "do not expect anything from comic books, or TV shows, or Hollywood movies, to be scientifically correct," Kakalios says. "When you can analyze a scene from a comic book and show, granting a suspension of disbelief for the superpowers, they are typically so pleasantly surprised that they drop their guard. In that brief moment, when their shields are down, you can try to quickly sneak some teaching in!"

Read on for more about this professor's nefarious plans to use comics to trick his classes into learning.

Scientifiction
Kakalios' physics-and-comics exploration focuses on the Silver Age (1956-70), with icons like Superman, Spider-Man and Iron Man. That time period showcased superheroes who -- despite their unbelievable abilities -- often abided by many rules of the material world.

"It was the artists, the writers and the editors," the professor explains. "Many were fans of science-fiction pulps, which back in those days featured more 'hard science fiction' -- where one fantastic element was introduced, and the physical ramifications were explored. In the pulps, Hugo Gernsback, creator of 'Amazing Stories,' was famous for promoting both real science and science-fiction. He coined the term for his stories, 'scientifiction,' which never really caught on. Every issue carried the motto: 'Extravagant Fiction Today ... Cold Fact Tomorrow.'"

The Miracle Exception
This same mix of fantasy and reality carried through into the Silver Age of comics. A superhero's superpower constitutes a "miracle exception": an amazing ability that, while physically impossible, is allowed for the sake of the comic. Despite this single suspension of disbelief, though, many of the Silver Age creators chose to abide by the laws of physics.

"They always needed to come up with innovative ways for the hero to use their powers to capture the villain of the month, and frequently they would make use of a physically realistic consequence of the particular superpower ... which is a pretty sneaky way of getting some real science in without anyone noticing." (You can watch him explain impulse and momentum using a scene from "Spider-Man" here.)

Buildings Are Not Meant to Be Picked Up
Kakalios isn't a purist when it comes to physics in comics, but certain things do rile him. ("It still gets me every time [Superman] picks up a building or jet plane or ocean liner with one hand, and the object doesn't crumble under its own weight! Buildings are not meant to be picked up!")

Comics are teaching tools, but not physics textbooks. "I don't see my job as being Dr. No, or Professor Grump, and applying physics to comic books and concluding that they are unrealistic," Kakalios says. "No kidding, they're unrealistic. If I wanted realism, I'd watch the news."

The Luckiest Physicist
Don't think that the Silver Age was the last time a comic artist waxed creative about gravity, thermodynamics or electricity.

Kakalios says that modern comics are especially impressive in their adherence to physics. "Hardly a month goes by when I can't find an example of correct science in a new superhero comic book," he says, noting that writers occasionally contact him for background advice on physics. "When I'm writing to one of my favorite comic book creators, and I'm having a serious scientific discussion regarding the chemical composition of Captain America's shield, I realize that I have the greatest job in the universe!"

For more comics and superhereoes, check out ComicsAlliance.