Because Science

Can Spider-Man Stop a Train?

Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2 remains an all-time favorite among fans, and includes one of the most iconic moments in all super hero movie history. The action packed scene finds Spider-Man trying to stop a speeding train with nothing but his super strength and spider silk. It’s a classic scene, but would Spidey really have been able to stop that train? Kyle swings in for answers in this week’s Because Science!

Learn more:
THE ELABORATE STRUCTURE OF SPIDER SILK: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2658765/Opens in new tab
NEW POLYMER ENERGY ABSORPTION FIBERS FOR ANTI-PENETRATION: https://www.monash.edu/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/461705/perlmutter-flyer.pdfOpens in new tab
TOUGHNESS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ToughnessOpens in new tab
DARWIN’S BARK SPIDER: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin%27s_bark_spiderOpens in new tab
NYC SUBWAY CAR: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R160_(New_York_City_Subway_car)Opens in new tab

03.21.2019