In one of the most famous comic book panels of all timeOpens in a new tab, Gwen Stacy loses her life to the oppressive pull of gravity. Attempting to save her with a lifeline of web after she fell from top of a city bridge, Spider-ManOpens in a new tab loses the love of his life does catch her, but the sudden deceleration snaps her neck. But we’ve gone back and evaluated this scene like science-whiz Peter Parker would, and now we wonder: would Stacy really have become one of the most infamous comic deaths?In my latest episode of Because ScienceOpens in a new tab, we are recreating the circumstances on Gwen’s grand goodnight, except this time we will be evaluating it using math, science, and engineering. If Spider-Man were using a material like real spider silk in his web shooters (why wouldn’t he be?), would there really be a sudden, neck-snapping deceleration? We know enough about the material that we can calculate stretch, strength, and g-forces.
[brightcove video_id=”5858923462001″ brightcove_account_id=”3653334524001″ brightcove_player_id=”rJs2ZD8x”]I know the death of Gwen Stacy is canon, and no number of numbers can save her. But this analysis might make Peter Parker proud.
Opens in a new tabAfter you watch the new episode, check out my last video on Fallout‘s “mini nukes” actually existOpens in a new tab, buy a Because Science shirt, mug, hat, or collectible pinOpens in a new tab, and follow me on TwitterOpens in a new tab or on InstagramOpens in a new tab to give me a suggestion for the next episode. Want Because Science even earlier? Subscribe to AlphaOpens in a new tab for access to the show two full days before anyone else.
