Tuesday, September 17, 2013

The Laws of Physics in an Animated Universe - Outline

I. Introduction

A. Iron Man (2008)
B. Thesis - Though the Marvel universe seems to follow our universe's laws of physics, the Ironman suit borders on the magical and its superhuman feats do not seem physically possible.

II. Reaction without Action - 

A. Aerodynamics - In the Marvel universe, many super humans can fly due to unexplained mystical powers, but the Ironman suit is supposedly technology based and therefore should follow the rules of aerodynamics and flight. The Ironman suit is not aerodynamically sound.
1. Airfoil - Sustained flight requires either wings or a body that creates lift and has a very distinctive shape; an airfoil, which the Ironman suit does not. 
2. Rocket - Another method of sustained flight is through rocket aerodynamics.  In a vacuum, rockets are strictly reaction/action since there is no atmosphere to affect stability.  But like in the previous point, I believe the Ironman suit would initiate a tumble w/o any fins for stability.   

B. Repulsor blasts
1. For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction - Tony fires a shot out of his chest that blasts Iron Monger off his feet.  With that kind of force, he should've been propelled backwards as well, but there was very little to no kickback.


III. Impossible Structure - Incredibly dense/strong metal that the suit is made from.  The suit's is made up of a thin skin of impossibly tough metal covering the mechanics underneath.

A.  It might be believable that the suit could stop small arms, but there is no way that if it were built from conventional materials, could it stop a tank shell.  

B.  The materials are incredibly shock absorbing as well as it protected Tony from the impact with the ground after being shot out of the sky.   


IV. Inconsistent Weight and Impossible Arcs
A.  In the beginning of the movie when Tony first tries out his armor, he lands and falls through the roof and several stories of his house, crushing his car.  At the end of the movie, he gets thrown onto a glass ceiling and does not fall through.  


B. An unprotected Tony not being seriously hurt from the impact against his ceiling when he miscalculates the thrust in his initial testing of his rocket boots

C. When Tony fires his chest repulser at Iron Monger when he was carrying the car over his head, the car should've fallen straight down instead of launching forward.



V. Conclusion

A. The movie breaks the laws of physics to create the superhero Ironman possible.
B. Though the logistics of an Ironman suit is unfeasible in our world, good storytelling and an attention to detail make the impossible possible in the viewer's eyes.  
C. Lastly, the movie is set in the Marvel universe where the audience expects superhuman feats.  



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