Question

You work in the special effects department of a movie studio. You are currently working on a superhero movie where the hero is very strong and cannot be hurt by normal weapons such as a sword. In the next scene, the villain is going to hit the hero with a lead pipe. The hero's costume is mostly made of foam and carbon so that is it very light and easy to move around in but will crumble if hit with anything hard. For this scene, a section of the costume needs to be replaced with a different material that will only dent, not crumble, when hit with the pipe. You are on a deadline and look around the props department for ideas, what could you use?

A. You find sheets of copper (Cu) used in an industrial factory scene.
B. You find large discs of chlorine (Cl) used to kill bacteria in pools.
C. You find a barrel of phosphorus (P), used as a component in explosive powder.
D. You find a tank of helium (He) used for balloons.

Answer 1

A. Sheets of copper (Cu) could be a good option for replacing the foam and carbon material in the hero's costume. Copper is a relatively soft metal and can easily be shaped and molded. When hit with a lead pipe, it will dent but not crumble like foam and carbon. Additionally, copper has a distinctive color that could look interesting on the hero's costume.

B. Large discs of chlorine (Cl) would not be a good option for replacing the foam and carbon material. Chlorine is a highly reactive and dangerous gas that is used to disinfect swimming pools. It is not a solid material and would not provide the desired effect when hit with a lead pipe.

C. A barrel of phosphorus (P) would also not be a good option for replacing the foam and carbon material. Phosphorus is a highly reactive and flammable substance that is used as a component in explosive powder. It is not a solid material and would not provide the desired effect when hit with a lead pipe. Additionally, it is highly dangerous and should not be used in a movie set.

D. A tank of helium (He) would also not be a good option for replacing the foam and carbon material. Helium is a gas and would not provide the desired effect when hit with a lead pipe. Additionally, it is not a solid material and would not be suitable for the costume.

Overall, the best option would be A, sheets of copper, as it is a solid material that can easily be shaped and molded, and will dent but not crumble when hit with a lead pipe.