🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <800325178@news2.compulink.com>, drizzt <drizzt@cml.com> wrote:
>
>My original question as to how fast superman could run seems to have been 
>misunderstood because a few people wrote me suggesting that on the moon 
>or in outer space, he could run at the speed of light.  That would be 
>flying and not RUNNING.  I'm more concerned with Superman being able to 
>push off of the ground with a pair of Nike airs without falling down due 
>to inertia and how long he has to wait before taking each step because 
>gravity takes time to pull him back down from each step.  

You are on the right track by realizing that Superman's stride has both a 
horizontal and vertical force vector, the porportion of which is approximately
90/10 in the favor of the horizontal vector.  As Superman increases his effort,
the vertical force vector will increase until such point as it completely 
offsets gravity, at which point he will no longer be able to increase his
speed, except for one important factor...  

Superman could use his super breath to exhale upward and offset the vertical
force vector generated by his running.  By doing this, he could accelerate
to practially unlimited velocity, even above orbital velocity!!!

>On the other hand, if this speed IS fast enough so that his suit might 
>burn up or something, THEN all the stuff with fluid dynamics and etc are 
>relevant.  But I think his maximum speed won't reach that high.  

I have yet to hear of anything that could cause his suit to burn off, but in
the unlikely event that it did occur, don't worry, Superman's skin is 
invulnerable to the ravages of wind resistance.

--
So why is it that kamikazi pilots wore helmets?