Physics Education PAPER Exploring the electromagnetic spectrum with superheroes To cite this article: Barry W Fitzgerald 2019 Phys. Educ. 54 015019 View the article online for updates and enhancements. This content was downloaded from IP address 145.94.242.161 on 05/12/2018 at 11:46 IOP Physics Education Phys. Educ. 54 P A P ER Phys. Educ. 54 (2019) 015019 (10pp) iopscience.org/ped 2019 Exploring the electromagnetic © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd spectrum with superheroes PHEDA7 Barry W Fitzgerald 015019 Department of Process & Energy, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands B W Fitzgerald E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected] Exploring the electromagnetic spectrum with superheroes Abstract The various radiation types that make up the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum Printed in the UK are ubiquitous and highly significant in modern society. Detection of visible light by the eye facilitates sight, radio waves and microwaves are used in communication technologies, x-rays are used in medical imaging, and gamma PED rays are frequently employed in medical procedures. Although radiation plays a predominant role in daily life, many students have developed and retain misconceptions concerning EM radiation. These misconceptions could be 10.1088/1361-6552/aaf17b addressed through the use of popular culture content such as superheroes in the classroom. In a number of superhero narratives, EM radiation plays 1361-6552 a key role in the emergence or development of superpowers. In this paper, we outline three approaches for using superheroes to support the learning of the EM spectrum, and to potentially address key student misconceptions. Published In one approach we have designed a student worksheet based on Captain America and vita-rays, a fictional radiation type that plays a key role in his superpowers. The worksheet has been designed to instigate critical 1 reflection on the part of the student, while allowing the student to apply their understanding of other forms of radiation. 1 1. Introduction cloud types or measure land and surface water Since the advent of superhero comic books in the temperature. These radiation types are non-ionis- first half of the 20th century, the electro magnetic ing, and thus pose little or no health risks to a per- (EM) spectrum has been integral to many nar- son. On the other hand, while ionising radiation ratives with the powers of characters such as such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation, x-rays, and Bruce Banner, Supergirl, and Captain America gamma-rays can be used in medical treatments, attributed to their exposure to EM radiation. This they can also cause significant irreversible dam- exposure invariably led to irreversible biologi- age to biological cells and the DNA contained cal changes that are associated with their abili- within, resulting in uncontrollable genetic modi- ties and, in some instances, permanent changes to fications that could increase the risks of degenera- their appearances. tive diseases. In the real world, EM radiation is inherent In recent years, a number of studies have to many aspects of everyday life. Visible light is highlighted several misconceptions that students crucial for the sensation of sight, microwaves and have in relation to electromagnetic radiation radio waves are emitted by innumerate mobile [2–7]. A questionnaire on radiation physics taken devices [1], and the detection of infrared (IR) by 1246 Portuguese students at different educa- radiation can be used in meteorology to determine tion levels revealed that while most students had 1361-6552/19/015019+10$33.00 1 © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd B W Fitzgerald heard of radiation, worryingly, a number of stu- energy, and whether the radiation is ionising or dents were not aware of natural radiation or differ- non-ionising. The wavelength, which is usually ences between various kinds of radiation [2]. An denoted as λ, is measured in metres (m) and can additional concern raised by this study was that be used to calculate the frequency f of a radia- students could not differentiate between ionis- tion in Hz using the formula c = f λ, where c is ing and non-ionising radiation. In a subsequent the speed of any electromagnetic radiation. From study of 14–16 year old students in high schools Planck’s theory, the energy of a photon of a spe- in Austria, a number of misconceptions related to cific electromagnetic radiation is calculated from radiation were identified such as that all radiation E = hf , where h is Planck’s constant, and can be is artificial and harmful, and light is visible while expressed in units of joules (J) or electron volts 19 all other forms of radiation are invisible [3]. In (eV), where 1 eV = 1.6 10− J. Finally, the addition, the study recommended that the positive different radiation are categorised× as either ionis- uses of radiation be addressed in the classroom ing or non-ionising. Ionising radiation is any such as in advanced medical treatments. radiation that has sufficient energy to ionise or It has been suggested that the use of media remove electrons from atoms or molecules in bio- or newspaper content in the classroom can help logical tissue, and in the process cause irreparable address student misconceptions on radiation sci- changes to the various components of a biological ence [3, 5]. This can consist of both biased and cell, including DNA. The ionisation potential is unbiased media content and hence facilitate criti- the energy required to remove an electron from cal reflection and review on the part of the student. the highest energy state and its value depends on One content theme that could also be considered the atom. For instance, the ionisation potential for is the superhero genre given the popularity of a hydrogen atom is 13.59 eV, for a carbon atom both superhero films and literature among many is 11.26 eV, for an oxygen atom is 13.6 eV, and audiences [8–10]. While film studios endeavour for a nitrogen atom is 14.53 eV [11]. These four to portray a level of scientific accuracy through elements together make up approximately 96% of consultation with scientists and researchers, some the human body. Of all atoms essential for physio- scientific liberties are still taken for the sake of logical functions, potassium has the lowest ionis- the narrative. Hence, radiation science has been ation potential (4.34 eV). It is widely accepted somewhat depicted in an inexact and exaggerated that extensive exposure to ionising radiation can manner, and it is conceivable that this content lead to cancer [12]. In the next section, we will could instigate student misconceptions. However, outline how the superhero genre can be used to the same content can also provide a stimulating scaffold lessons on the electromagnetic spectrum platform for discussions on radiation science as using the aforementioned categorisations. will be outlined in this paper. After briefly outlining electromagnetic radia- tion and differentiating between ionising and 3. Superheroes and the EM spectrum non-ionising radiation, we present two superhero 3.1. Superman and Supergirl: infrared, exemplars where exposure to radiation has sig- visible and ultraviolet radiation nificance for their superpowers. We then present a classroom worksheet for students related to Originally from Krypton, Superman and Supergirl Captain America and a fictional type of EM radia- represent two of the most powerful superheroes tion mentioned in the superhero films. in DC Comics literature. Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938 [13]. Supergirl, who 2. The electromagnetic spectrum was created by Otton Binder and Al Plastino, Before discussing the significance of radiation made her first appearance in Action Comics #252 for specific superheroes, we define relevant terms in 1959 in the story ‘The Supergirl from Krypton’ and mathematical expressions. Figure 1 shows [14]. Superman and Supergirl possess a plethora some of the different types of radiation that con- of powers such as flight, x-ray vision, impen- stitute the electromagnetic spectrum categorised etrability, superhuman strength, and heat vision. by their wavelength, frequency, associated photon Although both have a human-like form, they are January 2019 2 Phys. Educ. 54 (2019) 015019 Exploring the electromagnetic spectrum with superheroes Logarithmic scale Visible light 10–1 100 101 Ultra- Gamma rays Radio waves Microwaves Infrared violet X-rays Wavelength or λ (m) 103 102 101 100 10–1 10–2 10–3 10–4 10–5 10–6 10–7 10–8 10–9 10–10 10–11 10–12 10–13 10–14 Frequency or f (Hz) 106 107 108 109 1010 1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 1016 1017 1018 1019 1020 1021 1022 Energy or E (eV) 10–9 10–8 10–7 10–6 10–5 10–4 10–3 10–2 10–1 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 Non-ionising radiation Ionising radiation Figure 1. The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum showing different types of radiation in terms of wavelength (m), frequency (Hz), and energy (eV). In addition, the different types of radiation are categorised as either ionising or non-ionising. unquestionably alien lifeforms with DNA that Earth, the closest star is the white Sun and, as a differs from human DNA. result, Superman and Supergirl have superpow- The source of Superman and Supergirl’s ers. A summary of the stellar classification used powers in the comic books has changed over the in astronomy, including the Sun and Rao, is pre- years. In the past, the powers were associated sented in table 1. with the larger gravitational field experienced Sunlight is composed of visible light, which by inhabitants on Krypton in comparison to the is the radiation that the human eye can inter- gravitational field of the Earth.