If You Were Superman, Which Scientific Mysteries Would You Solve?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around hypothetical scientific inquiries and explorations that participants would pursue if they had superpowers similar to Superman. It includes a range of topics from astrophysics to biology, and the implications of superhuman abilities on scientific understanding.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest exploring celestial bodies like Europa and Titan, or enhancing astronomical observations from the Moon.
  • There is a proposal to investigate fundamental particles such as the Higgs boson and graviton, questioning their existence.
  • One participant humorously suggests that Superman's abilities could be explained through biological phenomena rather than physics.
  • Concerns about the implications of superpowers on human biology, such as breathing in space and the nature of superhuman strength, are raised.
  • Some participants discuss the effects of traveling at super speeds, including length contraction and its implications.
  • A participant expresses interest in traveling back in time to observe historical events.
  • There is a humorous exchange regarding the nature of Superman's powers, suggesting they could be explained by unconventional means.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of ideas and humorous takes on the topic, with no clear consensus on which scientific mysteries would be prioritized or how Superman's abilities could be understood. Multiple competing views remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about physics and biology are made in a speculative manner, and the discussion includes humorous elements that may not align with established scientific understanding.

mjacobsca
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When I was younger, I used to imagine myself fighting bad guys and saving the world. I still do, to some extent. But now when I think about being a superhero, I think about time sharing my unique skillset to the academic and space community. I think I would fly to Europa and break through the ice shell to find out what is in the ocean first. Next I'd give all astrophotographers a treat by taking closeups of Saturn. And I'd probably help ferry supplies to make an amazing telescope on the other side of the moon.

Which scientific endeavors would you do first if you were a superhero, after beating the bad guys, of course? Would you examine the Earth's inner core? Fly to Titan? Put satellites around the Sun? Or help probe quantum matter?
 
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Could Superman prove or disprove the existence of the Higgs field, the Higgs boson, or the graviton? Any of those proof/disproof actions would be pretty monumental.
 
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Superman ought to bend the laws of physics back into nice, Newtonian shape. :approve:
 
arildno said:
Superman ought to bend the laws of physics back into nice, Newtonian shape. :approve:
:smile:
 
If I'm Superman, I think I'm of a lot more interest to the biologists than the astronomers! How do I breathe in space? From whence does my heat vision stem? How to explain the enormous power of my muscular tissue?
 
Given the billions of women in the world, I would probably not progress past checking out my X-ray vision.

(Oh, yeah... and the problem of trying to contain determined and immortal super-powered sperm... Merely thinking about a kryptonite condom causes me pain. :eek:)
 
Danger said:
Given the billions of women in the world, I would probably not progress past checking out my X-ray vision.

(Oh, yeah... and the problem of trying to contain determined and immortal super-powered sperm... Merely thinking about a kryptonite condom causes me pain. :eek:)
At such speeds, I would be more concerned about length contraction...
 
arildno said:
At such speeds, I would be more concerned about length contraction...

:smile: :smile: :smile:

Just when I thought that you couldn't become more clever... :biggrin:
 
Oh I would take the time barrier and travel back 12,700 years to see what was going on then.
 
  • #10
I would try to discern whatthe real laws of physics are since I'm obviously breaking most of them as we currently know them.
 
  • #11
daveb said:
I would try to discern whatthe real laws of physics are since I'm obviously breaking most of them as we currently know them.

Not necessarily. A lot of those "powers" can be explained by highly concentrated flatulence. The super power is merely the ability to mask the odour.

And Arildno, now that you've had your 15 seconds of fame... you are aware, I assume, that the Fitzgerald contraction also dictates that both circumference and mass increase in the same proportion that length decreases... :rolleyes:
This could go on for a very long time, but it's not suitable for posting on PF.
 
  • #12
Danger said:
Not necessarily. A lot of those "powers" can be explained by highly concentrated flatulence. The super power is merely the ability to mask the odour.

And Arildno, now that you've had your 15 seconds of fame... you are aware, I assume, that the Fitzgerald contraction also dictates that both circumference and mass increase in the same proportion that length decreases... :rolleyes:
This could go on for a very long time, but it's not suitable for posting on PF.

Your partner would have the extra time to adjust for that, dear..
 
  • #13
arildno said:
Your partner would have the extra time to adjust for that, dear..

Ahhh... that had escaped my notice. Good catch. :redface:
 

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