Skip to main content

dc - X-ray vision of superman: Is lead the only element stopping the ability?


I know that in the fictional Superman universe, "X-rays" do not work like real X-rays (color, translucence etc.), but for the reader's sake the authors invented the inability to see through lead.


Now is lead not the only substance which is very good to stop X-rays, but all elements with high atomic numbers (many electrons to scatter the radiation). This is hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, all heavy platinum metals, gold, mercury and uranium.


Are these metals ever mentioned to have a similar effect of blocking X-ray vision or are there egregious examples where pieces of the metals above are transparent like glass?


Or are there other fictitious or real materials known to block the vision? In at least one instance I remember people from the far future are sending waste back by time travel and superman encountered a "meteorite" which was so dense that his X-ray vision was useless.


Just curious.



Answer



Superman has, over the years shown an ability to see through a wide range of metals and substance that should (under normal circumstances) block X-Rays.



There are, however a very rare number of occasions when his X-Ray vision has been blocked by non-lead materials;




  • In the video game, Superman: Shadow of Apokolips, he's unable to see through Lois Lane's skirt, presumably for the sake of decency :-)




  • In Superman #250, Supes encounters Terra-Man. His outfit is capable of reflecting Superman's X-ray vision. No explanation is given regarding the substance used:




enter image description here



He also (in Smallville) seems to show something of an inability to view through Kryptonite.


enter image description here


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

harry potter - Did Dolores Umbridge Have Any Association with Voldemort (or Death Eaters) before His Return?

I noticed that Dolores Umbridge was born during the first Wizarding War, so it's very likely she wasn't a Death Eater then (but she is pretty evil -- who knows?). After that Voldemort was not around in a way that could affect many people, and most wouldn't know he was planning to rise again. During that time, and up through Voldemort's return (in Goblet of Fire ), did Umbridge have any connection with the Death Eaters or with Voldemort? Was she doing what she did on her own, or was it because of an association with Voldemort or his allies? Answer Dolores Umbridge was definitely not a good person. However, as Sirius points out, "the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters". Remember that he also says that he doesn't believe Umbridge to be a Death Eater, but that she's evil enough (or something like that). I think there are two strong reasons to believe that: Umbridge was proud to do everything according to the law, except when she trie...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is the etymology of Doctor Who?

I recently decided to watch Doctor Who, and started viewing the 2005 version. I have the first two episodes from the first season, and I can't help but wonder what is the etymology of the name "Doctor Who"? And why does the protagonist call himself "the Doctor" (or is it "the doctor")? Answer In the very first episode of Doctor Who (way back in 1963), the Doctor has a granddaughter going by the name "Susan Foreman", and the junkyard where the TARDIS is has the sign "I.M. Foreman". Barbara, who becomes one of the Doctor's companions, calls him "Doctor Foreman" (probably assuming that is his name given his relationship to Susan), and Ian (another early companion) does the same in the second episode, to which the Doctor says: Eh? Doctor who? What's he talking about? "Foreman" is most likely selected as a convenient surname for Susan to use because it happened to be on display near where the TARDIS landed....
Post a Comment
Read more

story identification - Animation: floating island, flying pests

At least 20 years ago I watched a short animated film which stuck in my mind. The whole thing was wordless, possibly European, and I'm pretty sure I didn't imagine it... It featured a flying island which was inhabited by some creatures who (in my memory) reminded me of the Moomins. The island was frequently bothered by large winged animals who swooped around, although I don't think they did any actual damage. At the end one of the moomin creatures suddenly gets a weird feeling, feels forced to climb to the top of the island and then plunges down a shaft right through the centre - only to emerge at the bottom as one of the flyers. Answer Skywhales from 1983. The story begins with a man warning the tribe of approaching skywhales. The drummers then warn everybody of the hunt as everyone get prepared to set "sail". Except one man is found in his home sleeping as the noise wake him up. He then gets ready and is about to take his weapon as he hesitates then decides ...
Post a Comment
Read more