Making Physics More Realistic with Fiction

Making natural philosophy More Realistic with FictionGabriel Al crouptara ane of the m whatever a nonher(prenominal) questions that students who takes any major or minor subject, riveicularly physical acquaintance, either in elementary or in college that actu all(prenominal)y makes sense is When am I going to use what I allow just learned in the real life? however in reality, physics is found eitherwhere, from our cars and stall ph bingles, the way we walk and interact with things, throwing stuff, to some of the not so cognise roots compar able-bo passd in subatomic p words and in jovial rule nurses. Some enlighteners and professors argon looking into ways on how to save these ideas and innovations with come to the fore making the student pattern by and through with(predicate) hours of leaden and tedious technical discussions. From fictional examples and situation, to extraordinary cases the likes of lifting a sensory faculty and preventing falls with a single hand, students slowly put atomic number 53 over that physics is just as measurable as breathing and c divvy uphing. And unmatched good example of fictional, and true, example of the application of the models learned in physics is found in jocund book superheroes. Now, the thought of superheroes is logically impossible, but their actions and their super incredible causations presented in comic books and in movies atomic number 18 actually governed by the laws of physics and nature (Trusted, 1991). From voltaicity, to lifting heavy objects, to shooting lasers out of nowhere, their power is as well present in the real terra firma, but in a less amazing and rather simple manner. In scheme and in practice, the concepts of physics found in the stories of comic book superheroes helps in acquireing the logic of students to transform physics. As more than and more instructors haunt to more exciting and easy-to-understand examples which the students can relate, more and more students who abide the similar question above be now finding light in comic book superheroes.As any student who have departed through the first day of physics class, it is clear that physics is grassrootsally the study of matter and energy physics is an experimental science which do its with the basic elements of the universe and their interactions. (Young Freedman, 2012). There atomic number 18 a lot of theories and laws which govern the interaction of matchless matter to the other, and whiz of them is norths laws of relocation. There are 3 laws in it, which are the laws of inertia (an object in motion will remain in motion unless acted upon by an external force), speedup (force is equal to masses eras acceleration), and action and reaction (for every action, in that location is an equal and reversion reaction). Physics too deals with electromagnetism, which is mainly concerned with particles having an electric charge, which is just either a positive or a inva lidating charge property of a particle (J sensations Childers, 1993). There are also discussions about caprice (which is the product of the objects mass and its pep pill or speed), impulse (the change in momentum), and collision between devil objects, whose examples are fairly simple, but not as exciting to learn. But, in order to do physics, one must have energy, either capability (energy at rest) or kinetic (energy in motion). With all these examples of the concepts in physics, their examples are just as technical as their discussion. One can deal with the laws of motion by observing the movement of a wrap in a vacuum and applying external force, throwing a ball out of a cliff, pushing a wall, and a big winded wire bring on by electricity to produce a massive electromagnet. These examples whitethorn await simple enough to comprehend, but the physics in them is what makes them dreary to understand. One can simply put off the explanation by stating that the velocity, time, a nd tallness by which a ball drops from the cliff to the ground can be computed utilise the kinematic comparability and the students just substitute values and solve. But one can make things a little more challenging by putting childhood favorite superheroes as examples. By replacing the ball with Gwen Stacy falling and Spider-Man catching her, students will get an essence of just how important these values are in the comics and in the real world.Comic book superheroes didnt just exist out of nowhere, it also had a history. fit in to Wandtke (2012), from the early comic strips in England whose purpose varied from entertainment to new movements, a lot of todays superheroes came from snippets of these strips. Amazing Stories and Astounding Stories were one of the early comic book novels, which were mass produced in newspapers and in print, and one of the earliest superheroes was loony toons, who was a creation of Siegel and Shuster, which came from the idea of a bizarre visitant from another world with powers greater than any man known on globe who came to save gentlemans from evil (Gifford, 1984). Superman first came known to print in the Action Comics 1 in 1938. After Superman, a lot of heroes joined in, like cremate (who had powers of incredible speed), Hawk-Man (power of flight), Captain the States (Amazing strength from a super soldier serum, now called steroids), and Batman (with the occasional style of his sidekick Robin). In 1962, a boy named Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider, who surprisingly lived, and became Spider-Man. Most of the beginnings of superheroes reflected their time, from the Great Depression to the World War, and discoveries in science like radioactivity and quantum mechanics (Daniels, 1995). With the rise of heroes came along with their enemies, like the Joker, the Green Goblin, Electro, Magneto, and many others. The addition of these villains added suspense and action to the stories. Several ages came into play, with heroes ranging from the fluent while to the Golden Age, with one example of a Silver Age Flash meeting his Golden Age duplicate through an trade universe (Duncan Smith, 2009). Movie adaptations of these comic books were released, which closely resembles the comic book counterpart with an addition of unexpected scenes.Now, what do comic book superheroes have to do with physics? A professor named throng Kakalios of the University of Minnesota, who is an avid fan of comic books, started to use these heroes to conceptualize physics, as most us are oblivious(predicate) that most of the time, comic books gets their science right. era one may presuppose that this is a silly idea, the feature that students can learn such a complicated subject like physics in such a sophisticated and animated way like in comic books is a great way to capitalize on an innovative way to teach something without hurting. Lets take into consideration the case of the death of Gwen Stacy, Spider-Mans girlfriend. The story goes as the Green Goblin kidnaps Gwen Stacy, bringing her to the top of capital of the United States Bridge, luring Spidey into battle, then dropping off Gwen to her apparent doom, but Spidey manages to catch her, by which to his surprise that she is dead. Supposing that Gwen weighs 50 kg, dribble for half a stand by (0.5s) and fell from 300 ft., she would have fallen with a speed of about 95 miles an hour, and the force needed by Spider-Mans web to stop her would have to be 10 times the acceleration collectible to gravity (Kakalios, 2005). This formulates the bust sound located next to her on the comic strip of her fall. This shows that it was the net of Spider-Man that killed Gwen and the concept of physics involved here were the definition of velocity and acceleration, momentum and impulse, and force. The same discussion also explains the physics lav airbags and how they prolong the time from the impact to rest (Jacobson, 2012). Compared to the earlie r examples, this is easier to understand and visualize because most of the students are interested with Spider-Man and the discovery of something new. An example of when they get it right is in an sales outlet of Super Boy (young Superman) where he coils a locomotive with metal wires, induces a current, and gets a big electromagnet. This demonstrates simple electric induction where some may find it difficult to understand due to the terminologies like induction and antipathy and conductors and charges, but with Super Boys example, it all becomes clearer and easier(Weiner, 2008) (Kittel Knight, 1973).But sometimes, comic books get it wrong too. Another way to represent physics, particularly electromagnetism, is through Spider-Mans villains, Electro and Magneto (whose names obviously represent the concept of physics they embody). In a scene where Electro faces Spider-Man, Spidey throws a metal chair to Electro and Spider-Man says that any metal can act like a metal rod, neglecting the fact that it has to be grounded for it to become a lightning rod (Jones Childers, 1993). But an episode in Superman actually gets it right when he drags someone, whom he tries to get tuition from, and runs along anticipate cable wires, to the mans panic, but Superman reassures him that they would be electrocuted unless the wires is grounded or when he steps on a telephone wire pole (Daniels, 1995). Students can easily learn electricity through this wires or any conductor has to be grounded for it to become effective. But one shouldnt be assured that the concepts presented are true all the time. But then again, Cyclops (a single eyed hero who shoots lasers from his eye band) got Newtons trinity Law of Motion wrong when he blasts a hole through the ceiling of Grand Central. If Newtons Third Law of Motion holds, then he should have experienced an opposite reaction equal to his action of blasting a hole, unless he has a super neck strength (Booker, 2010).Present day objects are also works of the science that powers superheroes. An example is the MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) where ones body can be examined live using magnetic hatred from a user generated magnetic field, polarizing (splitting and dividing) the water molecules, and pinging the target level for mental test (Young Freedman, 2012). The same technology is used by Magneto, Spider-Mans enemy, where he levitates himself using magnetic repulsion. This has not been through by, and to, a human macrocosm, but a group of researchers has managed to levitate a frog (Simon Geim, 2000). Another one is through Iron Man. His suit can be comprehended today part by part. The jet boots is something which many have tried doing, but further few have successfully flown 10 feet or higher. The exoskeleton suit is world worked up by the military for defense purposes and also it is being unquestionable for those who have paralysis and body defects. The science behind the helmet, which controls the suit fit to the comics, is technologically feasible. Some technologies in Japan and America have done prototypes which allow mouse pointer manipulation through the signals sent by the mind to the helmet (Distinctive Voices, 2010). And one perfect example for that is Stephen Hawking and how he is able to communicate through signal waves converted to audio through a machine on his wheelchair. But the Arc Reactor is an exemption to the rule, being purely fictional for now, for no technology today, which could explain how something on earth could how such enormous power in a small, confined quad (Russell Scott, 2014).A very complicated topic in physics, which is hard to understand from a simple persons point of view is quantum mechanics. Quantum physics or mechanics deals with the behavior of a particle, particularly on a molecular, atomic, or in the nuclear scale (Young Freedman, 2012). It has to do with wave functions with the cellular inclusion of Schrodingers equation which just simply sta tes that force is equal to mass times acceleration for electrons, much like Newtons second law of motion. This governs the existence of twin and alternative universes, which up to now, has not soon enough been proven to exist. Using Schrodingers equation, given the force, on that point is a gigantic probability of locating the position of a certain electron in space (Beiser, 1967). Given a radioactive isotope (same element, different mass number) and the equation will give the probability of it having a half-life (reducing the original center of substance by half through a time interval). Something on a subatomic particle scale is hard to comprehend and represent, but comic books may provide some light in the teachers burden in teaching this topic. On the issue of the Flash 123, four years after Everitt formulated a guess which states that there is a parallel and alternate universe and using quantum mechanics, one can go from one universe to another on a subatomic level (Book er, 2010). In the Flash issue, the Silver Age Flash meets up with his Golden Age counterpart, through which scientific explanation of Everitts theory was presented. The concept of time warp or time travel, which is synonymous to parallel and alternate universe theories, is not new to comics. A lot of science fiction movies have shown the movement of one person to another world through a machine of abduction of aliens. And in another comic book called The Atom, which talks about a physics professor who was trying to develop a shrinking ray, but was missing one key cistron a piece of a white overlook star (because of the dwarf in the name) (Gifford, 1984). Quantum mechanics tells us that dwarf star weighs almost 50,000 tons, therefrom making it very dense. But the professor was seen huffing and puffing every line that he said in the speech balloon, which adds to the fact that that star was really dense. But essentially, with the white dwarf star, The Atom could exploit quantum mech anics and go beyond the atomic level, shrinking himself proportional to this atomic structure. While quantum mechanics does not disapprove of this, the ability to shrink someone has not yet been done or proven as of today (Wandtke, 2012).With all the given examples, of course not every concept of physics is present in comic books, so one should not rely on comic books to learn physics. One concept that has little instances of comic books is the concept of flight. With many superheroes with blankets are seen flying, like in the case of Superman, physics cannot explain this phenomenon since there is no action from nature that could cause a cape to fly a 150 kg man (presumably) over the clouds. The concept of flight of airplanes doesnt work on capes, and less likely on magic carpets. Another one would be how a normal human being could grow to as huge as hulk in a matter of seconds. Even with a huge amount of radioactive material, there is little chance that someone could be as voicel ess as hulk, save for the bigger probability that a person could die due to radioactive contamination. Another is the explanation of Thors forge. No one on earth could lift up Thors hammer, and science doesnt have the knowledge to tell us what is inside Thors hammer (Kakalios, 2014).With an increasingly complicated world, sight begin to overlook even the simplest of things in order to go directly to the big picture. With so many technicalities around, people are finding it harder to follow the trend of technology and the science behind them. But if one can present the idea to their audience in a manner which they could effortlessly grasp the main idea, then more people could be educated about a certain topic. Studies have shown that there is a declining rate of the students performance due to their teachers beliefs and methods of teaching (Caprara et al., 2005). Cases like this should not be overlook and should be solved within the classroom. There are a lot of fun and meaningful ways to present concepts without the jargons. But when it comes to physics, there is no harm done in presenting it, superhero style. As long as the topic is relevant and correct, comic books can be seen, not just as a nuisance, but as an educational material worth magnanimous attention to.REFERENCESBeiser, A. (1967). Concepts of modern physics (Rev. Ed.). New York McGraw-Hill.Blackwell, L., Trzesniewski, K., Dweck, C. (2007). Implicit Theories of Intelligence venture Achievement Across an Adolescent Transition A Longitudinal survey and an Intervention. Child Development, 78 (1), 246-263. doi10.1111/j.1467-8624.2007.00995.xBooker, M. (2010). Encyclopedia of comic books and graphic novels. Santa Barbara, Calif. Greenwood Press.Caprara, G., Barbaranelli, C., Steca, P., Malone, P. (2005). Teachers self-efficacy beliefs as determinants of job satisfaction and students academic achievement A study at the school level. Journal of School Psychology, 44 (6), 473-490. doi10.1016/j.jsp.2 006.09.001Daniels, L. (1995). DC comics lux years of the worlds favourite comic book heroes. London Virgin Books.Duncan, R., Smith, M. (2009). The power of comics History, form and culture. New York Continuum.Gifford, D. (1984). The international book of comics. New York Crescent Books.Jacobson, R. (2012, October 11). Spider-Math and Bat-Physics learning in a Superhero World. Retrieved April 27, 2015, from http//www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/getting-superheroes-to-do-their-spider-math-and-bat-physics/Jones, E., Childers, R. (1993). Contemporary college physics (2nd Ed.). Reading, Mass. Addison-Wesley.Kakalios, J. (2014, November 12). Finally, Science Explains wherefore No One Can Lift Thors Hammer. Retrieved April 27, 2015, from http//www.wired.com/2014/11/can-hulk-lift-thors-hammer/Kakalios, J. (2005). The Physics of Superheroes. New York, New York Gotham Books.Kittel, C., Knight, W. (1973). Mechanics (2d Ed.). New York McGraw-Hill.Roxas, C., Arevalo Jr., J. (1985). A History of Komiks of the Philippines and another(prenominal) Countries. Quezon City Islas Filipinas Publishing.Simon, M., Geim, A. (2000). Diamagnetic levitation Flying frogs and floating magnets (invited). JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS, 87 (9), 6200-6204.Trusted, J. (1991). Physics and metaphysics Theories of space and time. London Routledge.Wandtke, T. (2012). The meaning of superhero comic books. Jefferson, N.C. McFarland.Weiner, A. (2008, February 1). The Science of Superheroes. Retrieved April 27, 2015, from http//www.popsci.com/entertainment-gaming/article/2008-01/science-superheroes?image=4Young, H., Freedman, R. (2012). Sears and Zemanskys University physics With modern physics (13th Ed.). Boston Addison Wesley.Distinctive Voices. (2010, family line 7). Physics of Superheroes. Video File. Retrieved from https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXd5Y0RXLb0Russell Scott. (2014, August 8). The Physics of Superheroes w/ James Kakalios and Sidney Perkowitz 1080HD. Video File. Retrieved from http s//www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GBGUVsnwMI