Okay, calm down. You’re right – proportions isn’t really a scientific law. It’ll be alright, just let me explain what little bug has a problem with them, then you’ll get the science content:
Yup, the webhead himself: Spider-Man. Since I started this collection on Superman, I knew for quite some time that I would end it on Mr. Parker.
Now, the science bit with proportions he’s ignoring is the whole ‘proportionate strength of a spider’. That fun line that means Petey leaps off buildings, bench presses 10 tonnes? Yeah, not how scaling works, bub.
At the end of the day, humans aren’t spiders. Shocking, I know. It matters because if we’re talking about proportionate changes across species, it gets a little muddled. Spiders can jump very high because they are built with HUGE legs compared to their very tiny, and very lightweight bodies. So their mass is almost negligible to what is lifted into the air. Which helps gravity not care about them that much. Their deceleration due to gravity is small because they are small.
Then let’s look at Peter Benjamen Parker. Even though he’s a lightweight entry as far as people are concerned, he’s still built like a human. His mass, and the force his legs push off the ground, while they might be awesome, cannot ever be as efficient as a spiders.
Pssh. Look at him. He doesn’t care. He’s gonna swing around like he didn’t even hear me.
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So.
That’s a wrap! 20 sciencey entries! I’m very happy that I finally have been getting my scheduling act together and did this. I’ve wanted to do it for a long time, but it’s a pretty daunting thing when your a devote English major. Again, major thanks have to be doled out to my science resources: Max, Quigz, Evan, Dan, and Zach all chimed in.
If any of you are wondering – Yes, this mini-project does come off a lot like The Physics of Superheroes by James Kakalios. Since I don’t seek out science material (also shocking) I was only aware peripherally that that title existed. I knew my library owned it, but I had no idea that it basically answered all of my questions, far more succinctly and accurately then I created here. So if you want a helping of strong science and superheroes, seek that book out. It does what I wanted to do way better.
I will continue updating Tue/Thur. The next project is far more niche than this one was. Hopefully you guys will enjoy it! Even if you don’t, I’m totally on board for it.
(So EXCITED)
Thanks for stopping!