# A question about g-forces and Spiderman's supersphincter **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 25, 2004, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108 "2004-06-25T00:03:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2004, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/21 "2004-06-25T13:48:37Z")
> [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > [According to this](http://hypertextbook.com/facts/JianHuang.shtml) a skydiver can reach up to about 120 mph. But it takes time to get there. In two seconds he could be up to 44mph. Another 2.5 seconds would get him 100. > [@](#): > > If he jumps and slings out the webbing within a second or two his acceleration shouldn’t be that high. I imagine his acceleration is going to be 9.8 m/s^2. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2004, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/22 "2004-06-25T14:07:08Z")
> [@Berkut](#): > > Neglecting air resistance, he would fall 335 feet in 4.5 seconds to reach 100mph. So he would need to fall about, what, 20-25 storeys to reach 100 mph? Is that what he’s doing in the movie? ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2004, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/23 "2004-06-25T14:15:06Z")
> [@xvxdarkknightxvx](#): > > As long as we’re asking about superhero physics, I have a few I’d like to know. The Flash can run at (approaching) the speed of light, and he’s also able to think and talk at the speed of light. How can the speed force make his brain think faster? Also, when he talks at near the speed of light, what speed his the sound moving? Another thing, if he’s able to do all this, how can anything be a surprise to him? Shouldn’t he be able to see everything in slow motion due to relativity? I don’t get how he can accidently run into a wall that shoots up from the ground if he’s able to see everything happen in slow-mo. I think the Flash takes the largest suspension of disbelief of all the superheroes. Just don’t think about it too much… But I also think about it too much. It could be argued he’s the most powerful superhero, because everybody is essentially defenseless against him. He could scour the Earth for kryptonite, find a chunk, make half of it into machine-gun bullets, and the other half into a Super-suppository and shove it up Superman’s ass while gunning him down, all in the time it takes Supe to pull down his tights for his morning shit but before he sits his ass onto the toilet. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2004, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/24 "2004-06-25T14:24:17Z")
I forget the term for it, but there are people that will tie off the end of a rock-climbing rope, attach themselves to the other end, and jump, allowing the arc of the rope to slow them. (rope jumping, or free jumping, or free roping, or something). It’s different than bungee jumping. Some moron died doing it in Yosemite some time back. He had like 1000 feet of rope he was doing it with. As far as I know, shitting his pants wasn’t a problem. Can’t be any worse for spiderman. Still, if it is a problem, I really like Uvula Donor’s suggestion. He could administer a “plugged Dunst” with the same method if he knew in advance they’d be out web slinging for a few hours. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2004, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/25 "2004-06-25T14:35:31Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > Remember that Spidey’s physical strength is much greater than the human norm. > Including the sphincter muscle. That’s why the OP included a query regarding the damsel in distress also caught in mid-swing. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@Evil\_Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Death)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2004, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/26 "2004-06-25T15:12:52Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > I think the Flash takes the largest suspension of disbelief of all the superheroes. Just don’t think about it too much… > > But I also think about it too much. It could be argued he’s the most powerful superhero, because everybody is essentially defenseless against him. He could scour the Earth for kryptonite, find a chunk, make half of it into machine-gun bullets, and the other half into a Super-suppository and shove it up Superman’s ass while gunning him down, all in the time it takes Supe to pull down his tights for his morning shit but before he sits his ass onto the toilet. Saving only that Superman can also move at close to lightspeed, you’re absolutely right. ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2004, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/27 "2004-06-25T15:33:05Z")
> [@Neurotik](#): > > So he would need to fall about, what, 20-25 storeys to reach 100 mph? > > Is that what he’s doing in the movie? Have you not seen it? The way I remember it is that he jumps off some high building, free falls for a few seconds, and then spins the web and swings out very close to the ground. They made it very clear that he was hauling ass. As for actual numbers on his height and such, I have no idea. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2004, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/28 "2004-06-25T17:08:55Z")
Well, the last time I watched the movie was when it first came out in theaters so I can’t remember the specifics. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2004, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/29 "2004-06-25T17:21:59Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > I think the Flash takes the largest suspension of disbelief of all the superheroes. Just don’t think about it too much… For sheer defiance of all physical logic, I don’t think the Flash holds a candle to the Atom. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2004, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/30 "2004-06-25T17:35:29Z")
Yeah, but compared to the supervillains, the superheroes are models of scientific rectitude. How about the Sandman (the old Marvel character, not Gaiman’s)? He could turn his body into _intelligent sand_, regulate his density, and reform himself no matter how far dispersed his sand grains were distributed. Then for the same thing, only with water, we have Hydro-Man! Or his anti-counterpart, the Grey Gargoyle, whose body was made of living stone and could turn other people to stone - for a hour, after which they would become flesh again! At least no superhero could have powers that dumb. Oh, sorry Human Torch. Didn’t see you standing there. Physics! I don’t need your stinkin’ physics! ---
**Author:** ![xvxdarkknightxvx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/34f0e0/32.png) [@xvxdarkknightxvx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xvxdarkknightxvx)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2004, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/31 "2004-06-25T18:50:28Z")
> [@Exapno Mapcase](#): > > Yeah, but compared to the supervillains, the superheroes are models of scientific rectitude. > > How about the Sandman (the old Marvel character, not Gaiman’s)? He could turn his body into _intelligent sand_, regulate his density, and reform himself no matter how far dispersed his sand grains were distributed. > > Then for the same thing, only with water, we have Hydro-Man! > > Or his anti-counterpart, the Grey Gargoyle, whose body was made of living stone and could turn other people to stone - for a hour, after which they would become flesh again! > > At least no superhero could have powers that dumb. Oh, sorry Human Torch. Didn’t see you standing there. > > Physics! I don’t need your stinkin’ physics! Well, the elemental powers are understandable. I can believe that his cells are sand-like enough for him to be able to do what it does. I think he loses some sentience while he’s pure “sand,” but when he’s all together, he can think fine. But the Flash and the Atom are purely disbelievable. I don’t see how he can scale down. Wouldn’t that force molecules, atoms, and photons to all scale down, too? ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2004, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/32 "2004-06-25T19:52:33Z")
“…shunting excess matter to an extradimensional pocket …shunting excess matter to an extradimensional pocket …shunting excess matter to an extradimensional pocket…” Just keep repeating that. It’s the catch-all excuse of the Marvel Universe. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2004, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/33 "2004-06-25T19:59:32Z")
Yes, people, Spidey’s web fluid, like the honey from a bee, is poop. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/34 "2004-06-25T20:07:04Z")
OK, Spider-man could free-fall for a bit before launching his web, in which case his acceleration at the bottom of the swing could potentially be much greater. And I don’t recall the movie or comic books clearly enough to say whether he does, in fact, do this (the first time he webswings in the movie, he’s standing still on top of a building when he launches, but this may not be typical). However, doing so could only decrease his effective net horizontal speed, and would be a greater danger to any non-super person or other items he might be carrying, so I’m going to suppose that he does not actually do this, and typically starts almost at rest at the top of his swing. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2004, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/35 "2004-06-25T20:09:14Z")
> [@ouryL](#): > > Yes, people, Spidey’s web fluid, like the honey from a bee, is poop. :eek: Uh…what? ---
**Author:** ![Hugh\_Jass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4da419/32.png) [@Hugh\_Jass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hugh_Jass)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2004, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/36 "2004-06-25T20:21:11Z")
I’d just like to go on the record as saying threads like this are why I spent the money to sign up for this board. Great stuff, guys. ---
**Author:** ![Omphaloskeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bcef8e/32.png) [@Omphaloskeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omphaloskeptic)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2004, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/37 "2004-06-26T00:56:01Z")
> [@Berkut](#): > > Very roughly, if he was going 147fps (about 100mph) on the end of a 250 foot rope, he would experience about 86Gs. > > He must be strong. No, that’s 86 ft/s[sup]2[/sup], which is a little less than 3g. (1g == 32 ft/s[sup]2[/sup].) Fun exercise: What is the centrifugal force (centripetal, if you prefer) on the edge of a CD in a high-speed CDROM drive? ([Here’s one](http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?ASU-CDROM) that goes up to 10400 rpm.) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2004, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/38 "2004-06-26T01:14:28Z")
> [@Berkut](#): > > Have you not seen it? The way I remember it is that he jumps off some high building, free falls for a few seconds, and then spins the web and swings out very close to the ground. They made it very clear that he was hauling ass. > > As for actual numbers on his height and such, I have no idea. I think what you’re overlooking is the “jumping” part, which would give him a lot of upward momentum to overcome before he started falling. I haven’t seen the movie since it was in theaters, but it seems to me that he usually fired the web at the top of the arc of his jump, not after droping for some time. At least, that’s how I would have portrayed it, were it my movie. It “looks” right when I see it in my head that way. Can’t really recall how they actually did it in the movie, though. ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2004, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/39 "2004-06-26T01:18:13Z")
> [@Omphaloskeptic](#): > > No, that’s 86 ft/s[sup]2[/sup], which is a little less than 3g. (1g == 32 ft/s[sup]2[/sup]. We’ve been over this already. Did you read the rest of the thread? ---
**Author:** ![Omphaloskeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bcef8e/32.png) [@Omphaloskeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omphaloskeptic)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2004, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108/40 "2004-06-26T01:35:12Z")
> [@Berkut](#): > > We’ve been over this already. Did you read the rest of the thread? Why, yes, I did, but thank you for your condescension. Did you read my post? I was pointing out something that I didn’t (and still don’t) see addressed specifically elsewhere (but feel free to point out where I missed it, if it was), which was your calculation of 86g for the case you mention (147 ft/s, 250 ft rope). This gives v[sup]2[/sup]/r = 86.4, which is I assume where you got your number. But the units, as I was trying to point out, were not g, but ft/s/s. **Chronos’** post arrived at a result of 3g by an **entirely different** (and more general) calculation which only coincidentally gives a similar answer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-g-forces-and-spidermans-supersphincter/252108.md?page=3)