Superman's Flight?

[Ramen]

Trying to explain superhero physics is usually a dead end activity. Sorta like trying to figure out the physics behind magic spells. It's all fantasy so it's best just to thrower on the red blanket and run with it.

Sent from tapatalk

 

[Piratecat]

Superman flies because artists keep forgetting to draw ground underneath his feet in the comic panels.

 

[Umbran]

The planet Krypton was the galaxy's single largest source of the rare element Handwavium. All Kryptonians are just permeated with the stuff. Under electromagnetic bombardment within a certain range of wavelenghts (akin to the light of a yellow sun) the element gives off radiation with unique quantum mechanical properties, that allow for the regular occurrence of low-probability events, but only so long as nobody's looking too closely at what's going on.

The reaction that destroyed Krypton was a simple conversion of some of its mass to antimatter. Kryptonite is really just anti-Handwavium. The effect of Kryptonite, then, is equivalent to having several hundred physicists all trying very hard to explain how the Kryptonians do what they do - and under such scrutiny, the Kryptonian is limited to high-probability acts.

It is highly probable that any particular biped humanoid... generally sucks. Thus, Superman just sucks in the presence of Kryptonite.

 

[Klaus]

Mass is a measure of the resistance of an object to a change in its state of motion.

Superman flying can't be exerting force using his muscles. He's not bracing himself on something else, he's bracing himself ON HIMSELF, on his position in the universe.

Yet he can also absorb tremendous physical impacts, such as bullets, though a good punch from a powerhouse will send him flying.

So does Superman have great Mass?

If he does, does his flight overwhelm that Mass/inertia enough to move it around the world?

Is it his flight that's really strong? Or even a force in addition to his body that is also strong?

Waddaya think of that?

(note: not a physicist)

The most "pseudo-scientific" explanation came from the 1986 reboot "Man of Steel", by John Byrne. He explained that Superman's flight and invulnerability are due to a telekinetic aura that surrounds his body (which explains why his skintight costume couldn't be damaged, while his cape or civilian clothes got shredded up easily).

This aura allowed Superman to lift enormous things without compromising their integrity, as it would support the object as well. And when Superman flew, he actually became capable of lifting more than what he could while on the ground.

In trying to replicate this aura in a clone of Superman, Cadmus labs ended up giving the would-be Superboy his Tactile Telekinesis.

 

[El Mahdi]

Supes' intestines super-compress methane & other waste gasses, which he then uses for thrust in controlled bursts.

It also explains why his cape is always flapping.

And why his cape is always tore up at the end of a big conflict...

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

The planet Krypton was the galaxy's single largest source of the rare element Handwavium.

Along with Daxxam! Let's not forget Daxxam!

 

[Umbran]

Along with Daxxam! Let's not forget Daxxam!

No, let's forget Daxam. Daxamites are cheap knockoff Kryptonians, vulnerable not to Kryptonite, but lead. Really. A superpowered race that *is* vulnerable to bullets?

That's not Handwavium at work, but the more mundane substance known as Lameite (AKA "Californium"). For example, Hollywood, being in California, is loaded with Lameite, leading to the syndrome known in the movie industry as as "sequelitis". The appearance of Daxam in the DC continuity is entirely the result of Lameite poisoning among the comic book writers.

 

[Plane Sailing]

The most "pseudo-scientific" explanation came from the 1986 reboot "Man of Steel", by John Byrne. He explained that Superman's flight and invulnerability are due to a telekinetic aura that surrounds his body (which explains why his skintight costume couldn't be damaged, while his cape or civilian clothes got shredded up easily).

This aura allowed Superman to lift enormous things without compromising their integrity, as it would support the object as well. And when Superman flew, he actually became capable of lifting more than what he could while on the ground.

In trying to replicate this aura in a clone of Superman, Cadmus labs ended up giving the would-be Superboy his Tactile Telekinesis.

IIRC the same basic explanation was used for Marvels' superman rip-off/homage Gladiator, from the Shiar imperial guard. He first appeared in 1977, the mental nature of his abilities were certainly spelt out in Dec 1982.

Cheers

 

[fireinthedust]

Telekinesis: I get what's being said, but I think another word should be used. Potentially something that emphasizes his "awesomeness" or "superiority". Otherwise Telekinesis sounds like Jean Grey, and that's... well, that's not really the Superman we know and love. It's a good explanation, but we need a "different kind" of Telekinesis for Superman, make him special.


Handwaveium: Ah yes, well played sir.

Lead: Wasn't there a Furuama episode or film where Fry makes up a comic hero? "Oh no, bullets: my only weakness!"

Are bullets make of lead anymore? I mean, would Teflon shatter against a Daxamite's chest?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Yes, some bullets are still made with lead.

Yes, Teflon would shatter on a Daxxamite's chest.

And as to forgetting them...Daxxam had just as much Handwavium, but theirs was the stable version, unlike the unstable isotope that caused the destruction of Krypton.