Skip to content

The Physics of Superheroes
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Physics of Superheroes Paperback - 2006

by James Kakalios

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.


Summary

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!

From the publisher

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!

Details

  • Title The Physics of Superheroes
  • Author James Kakalios
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition 1st trade paperb
  • Pages 384
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Avery Publishing Group, New York, New York
  • Date 2006-09-21
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Illustrated, Index, Price on Product - Canadian, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9781592402427 / 1592402429
  • Weight 0.9 lbs (0.41 kg)
  • Dimensions 5.3 x 7.9 x 0.9 in (13.46 x 20.07 x 2.29 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Library of Congress subjects Physics - Study and teaching, Science in popular culture
  • Dewey Decimal Code 530.071

About the author

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. He received his Ph.D. in 1985 from the University of Chicago, and has been reading comic books for much longer.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

The Physics of Superheroes
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Physics of Superheroes

by James Kakalios

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Markdown
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592402427 / 1592402429
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Holland, Michigan, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$3.20
NZ$8.43 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Avery, September 2006. Trade Paperback . Markdown. Between the Covers Bookshop sells gently used books at 30-95% off retail price.
Item Price
NZ$3.20
NZ$8.43 shipping to USA
The Physics of Superheroes
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Physics of Superheroes

by Kakalios, James

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592402427 / 1592402429
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Frederick, Maryland, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$7.03
NZ$6.79 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Avery. Used - Good. Good condition.
Item Price
NZ$7.03
NZ$6.79 shipping to USA
The Physics of Superheroes
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Physics of Superheroes

by Kakalios, James

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592402427 / 1592402429
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$8.51
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
NZ$8.51
FREE shipping to USA
The Physics of Superheroes
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Physics of Superheroes

by Kakalios, James

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592402427 / 1592402429
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Kingwood, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$9.19
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Avery, 2006-09-21. Paperback. Good. 8x5x1.
Item Price
NZ$9.19
FREE shipping to USA
The Physics of Superheroes
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Physics of Superheroes

by Kakalios, James

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592402427 / 1592402429
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$9.19
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Avery, 2006-09-21. paperback. Good. 5x0x8.
Item Price
NZ$9.19
FREE shipping to USA
The Physics of Superheroes
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Physics of Superheroes

by Kakalios, James

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592402427 / 1592402429
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Houston, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$9.50
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Avery, 2006-09-21. Paperback. Good. 5x0x8.
Item Price
NZ$9.50
FREE shipping to USA
The Physics of Superheroes
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Physics of Superheroes

by Kakalios, James

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592402427 / 1592402429
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Houston, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$9.50
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Avery, 2006-09-21. paperback. Acceptable. 5x0x8.
Item Price
NZ$9.50
FREE shipping to USA
The Physics of Superheroes

The Physics of Superheroes

by James Kakalios

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592402427 / 1592402429
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.37
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2006. Paperback. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$11.37
FREE shipping to USA
The Physics of Superheroes
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Physics of Superheroes

by Kakalios, James

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592402427 / 1592402429
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$12.07
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
NZ$12.07
FREE shipping to USA
The Physics of Superheroes
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Physics of Superheroes

by James Kakalios

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used: Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592402427 / 1592402429
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$12.68
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Gotham, 2006-09-21. Paperback. Used: Good.
Item Price
NZ$12.68
FREE shipping to USA