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Because Science

7 Scientific Superpowers Magneto Doesn’t Know He Has

X-Men’s Magneto is one of pop culture’s greatest and strongest heroes/villains, but he isn’t using anywhere near his full scientific potential. Most of what we’ve seen the “master of magnetism” Max Eisenhardt do is levitate and manipulate metal (unless you’re an avid comics reader), but he genius should know better–if he simply looked into the science of his superpowers, he could be so much stronger.

In my latest Because Science, I’m letting Magneto in on seven superpowers he may not have thought of. Magnetism is part of electromagnetism, one of the four fundamental forces of the universe. And because magnetism is everywhere–down at the quantum level every particle has some intrinsically magnetic properties–Magneto should be able to do a lot more than the movies show.

For one, Magneto is way too slow. If he truly is the master of magnetism then he should be able to move around any industrialized nation at hundreds of kilometers per hour. For another, Magneto could turn himself invisible. Magneto’s mutations tap into something so fundamental to physics that Max could easily control minds or even end the world. To find out how you’ll have to watch my latest episode above!


Check out my last video on why Godzilla’s “atomic breath” is much worse than you think, subscribe to this playlist to stay current with the show, buy a Because Science shirt, mug, or collectible pin (you know why), and follow me on Twitter to give me a suggestion for the next episode or on Instagram where I’m now posting extra mini-episodes!

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