Can The Flash Outrun Lightning? A Scientific Analysis

The question of whether The Flash can outrun lightning is a fascinating subject that has puzzled comic book enthusiasts and SEO experts, alike. In the world of DC Comics, The Flash's abilities often blur the lines between reality and fantasy, with the Speed Force playing a pivotal role.

The Speed Force and the Limitation of Speed

The Speed Force, a unique extradimensional power source, allows The Flash to achieve superluminal velocity. However, this power does not respect the laws of physics as we understand them. For instance, in the universe of DC Comics, tapping into the Speed Force allows characters to skip through space-time like a photon might, achieving faster-than-light travel while not technically breaking the speed of light.

In DC Comics, the speed of light, a fundamental constant in the universe, is a hard limit. According to our current understanding of physics, nothing can exceed the speed of light in a vacuum. Nevertheless, in the realm of Superman and The Flash, characters can traverse interdimensional space to effectively achieve similar results. This concept is similar to the Hyperspace in Star Wars, where characters can travel vast distances in a short amount of time through alternative space-time dimensions.

Case Study: Joe Kelly and the Flash's Speed

A notable example of The Flash's speed and the related physics is seen in the Justice League #89. In this issue, writer Joe Kelly describes a scenario where the Flash moves at near light-speed, a situation that defies several physical principles. Among the key issues:

Mass Increase: Due to the theory of special relativity, as mass approaches the speed of light, its perceived mass increases to an almost infinite level. This would theoretically create so much gravitational pull that it would destroy not only the city but the entire planet.

Time Dilation: According to the theory of relativity, time slows down as an object approaches the speed of light. Joe Kelly incorrectly uses this concept to justify the Flash saving the city by running at near light-speed. However, based on real physics, the Flash should feel these effects but would not have enough time to save everyone, as the mass increase would cause catastrophic destruction.

Feats Misunderstood: In Final Crisis #7, Wally West mentions the need for superluminal velocity. However, given that a photon can circle the Earth over 7.5 times in a second, the feat of running faster than light is not particularly impressive. The Flash's speed, while impressive, is not beyond what other characters in the universe can achieve.

The Reality of the Speed Force

The Speed Force allows The Flash to maintain his incredible speed by bending the 3rd dimension's rules. Unlike a spaceship, where the crew and passengers would experience gravitational forces and physical limits, the Flash's speed is connected to time and kinetic energy. This effectively means that while he can move faster than light, his perception and senses may still be bound by the limitations of the extradimensional power source.

Using the Flash as an example in a physics paper would likely result in a failing grade, as the teacher would point out the numerous inconsistencies and unsupported claims. For a more convincing example, one could use the Foundation series, where the transfer of matter through artificial gravity and black hole manipulation could be a more scientifically viable method.

Ultimately, while The Flash's abilities are fascinating and complex, they exist in a realm that is more fantasy than science, making it challenging to reconcile them with the principles of physics as we know them.