2007-08-14 13:03:01 · 9 answers · asked by april b 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
It's absolutely possible. Why shouldn't the superhero, who can defy gravity, be able to transfer the reactive impulse from his body to the earth or the air or something else? Or maybe the superhero is much, much more massive than he looks, so he could absorb the impulse himself without noticably recoiling. Seriously, don't start questioning comic book physics. That's a rabbit hole you just don't want to go down.
2007-08-14 13:17:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
All things are possible for a fictional super hero.
The fact that the super hero is in the air is reason enough to set all the other physical laws to one side and just enjoy the show.
(Otherwise, in the real world, for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction - if the piano goes west, the super hero is going to go east.)
2007-08-14 15:04:23 · answer #2 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If nothing else occurs, this violates conservation of (linear) momentum. When the piano is accelerated forward, it gains momentum in that direction. There must be an equal amount of momentum generated in the opposite direction, to conserve (maintain) overall momentum. Since the hero doesn't accelerate backwards, this violates physics.
However, if the hero is pushing on the air to remain stationary, the air will accelerate backwards when the piano is thrown, conserving total momentum.
2007-08-14 13:09:48 · answer #3 · answered by lithiumdeuteride 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
In order to throw the piano, hero must push against the piano. The piano will push back. Since hero is not attached to anything, the piano will push him away with the same momentum with which he pushes the piano away. If this sounds strange to you, try pushing a car and you will feel it pushing back at you. If it didn't push back at you, you would fall over.
2007-08-14 13:53:15 · answer #4 · answered by Renaissance Man 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is possible, he's a superhero. Presumably when he throws it it also generate enough forward thrust to exactly absorb the reaction of his throwing the piano.
2007-08-14 13:07:09 · answer #5 · answered by Chance20_m 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Comic book authors do not have to follow the laws of physics.
2007-08-16 15:45:11 · answer #6 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Physics. Newton's third law, I believe.
Although, being super, they could calculate the amount of force in their action and apply the correct amount of super-force to keep themselves stationary.
2007-08-14 13:06:21 · answer #7 · answered by Dan K 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Its not possible due to Newton's Third Law of Motion, which states:
All forces occur in pairs, and these two forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.
Which means to every action force there is an equal, but opposite, reaction force.
2007-08-14 13:12:38 · answer #8 · answered by Not Here 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
S-U-P-E_R H-E-R-O!!!! Aw hell, super heroes can do anything. That is what makes them so super.
2007-08-14 13:08:07 · answer #9 · answered by 2Cute2B4Got 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋