18
Mar
2010
Speaking of Spider-Man
Saw this entry on Dinosaur Comics today. It's a research paper on the topic of "How does Spider-Man Move so Fast". The author shows the physics equations used to calculate Spidey's speed while flying through the air, under the assumption that he leaves the ground at a horizontal speed of an olympic-sprinter. With these assumptions, he calculates that Spider-Man's average horizontal speed is no more than a car in a school zone. He only looks fast because we only see him at the peak of his swing, where he is traveling the fastest.
The paper is complete with scientific diagrams such as the following gem:
Very nerdy, indeed.
