Trajectory of a falling Batman
Thread title comes from the title of the paper submitted to the "Journal of Special Physics Topics".
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The Dark Knight Rises, and Crashes: Students Discover Batman's Cape Gliding Technique Is Fatally Flawed
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120709093040.htm
Physics students have calculated that the superhero's method of using his cape to glide from tall buildings -- as seen in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins -- would result in him hitting the ground at life-threateningly high speeds.
In the film, the caped crusader -- played by Christian Bale -- wears a cape which becomes rigid when a current is passed through it, allowing him to glide over Gotham City in a similar manner to a base jumper in a wingsuit.
Four MPhys students from the University of Leicester have published a paper claiming that although this method of gliding would be possible, Batman would be likely to suffer a fatal collision when he reached the ground.
Due to the high speeds he would be travelling, his impact with the ground would be equivalent to him being struck by a car travelling at 50 miles per hour.
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I'm posting this in GD instead of the Lounge, because I think it points to how to make education engaging for students. This is a great example of learning how physics work by working off something that is readily recognizable and "fun". As a former teacher, I still think one of the most important factors in student success within the classroom is student engagement. Starting a physics lesson with, "OK, would Batman's cape actually work as shown or would he pancake when he hit the ground? Let's look at all the things that have to be considered" would be an awesome introduction to a lesson on trajectory and gravity.
Love the paper. Love the originality of it.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Super Heroes can't be hurt...Everyone knows that...
and helps him recuperate quickly. And it can resurrect him too, if he should die!
Superheroes are automatically covered in Universal Superhero Healthcare Coverage.
