ORLANDO, Fla. – In the Marvel Comics, Thor and only others deemed worthy can pick up his mighty hammer. But folks at the Orlando Science Center figured out the science behind Thor and other superheroes.
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Thor's hammer, it won't budge no matter how strong you are and that power caught the attention of Samantha Dennis, a science interpreter at the Orlando Science Center. After months of prototypes, she figured it out.
"Electromagnet is basically similar to the magnets you put on your refrigerator but it only becomes magnetized when electricity is running through it," said Dennis.
With no electricity running through it, the hammer can be lifted easily. But switch the electricity on, wielding the hammer becomes impossible.
Thor's hammer is the newest addition to the super science show, where they explain the science behind superhero powers.
"Basically in the show we bring up the biggest baddest dad in the audience unfortunately dad is not worthy than we usually pick one of the smallest kids in the audience and the kid has no problem lifting it," Dennis said.
But more importantly than figuring out the science, it's truly about the kids and giving them an experience that hopefully will last a lifetime, she said.
"A lot of kids like superheroes and comics, so if this is something that can spark their interest in science, then we've done our job," said Dennis.