Introductory Superhuman Physics, Period 4 [11-18]
"Pyrokinesis," Jean-Paul began today's lecture, "is the ability to control fire psionically. It is not necessarily the ability to start the fire; this I believe is more properly referred to as 'pyrogenesis' or simply 'firestarting,' but that does not sound fancy enough for scientific work. There are two schools of thought about pyrogenesis; the first is that the firestarter transfers their own potential kinetic energy to the object they wish to inflame somehow. This seems unlikely to me; the firestarters I have known have not had the calorie intake problems that would come with--ahem--burning energy like that. Pardon the pun. The second is telekinesis on the molecular level, agitating the molecules into ignition. This seems more scientifically likely. Pyrokinesis is very poorly understood, as if it is energy manipulation, it does not make sense that a person would only be able to control fire. But there you have it.
"Cryokinesis is the ability to control cold and create ice, and is problematic due to the question of where the heat energy goes when it is removed from whatever is being chilled by the superhuman in question. Thermokinesis is the broad term for these abilities and any others involving the manipulation of heat energy. There are some interesting and unusual abilities that fall under this general umbrella, for instance, I once taught a boy with his head on fire.
"General rule of thumb," Jean-Paul said, and moved to write on the board. First he wrote 'Fire______.' "This person will be a firestarter." Then he wrote '____fire.' "This person may just think it sounds cool, but do not bet against it. Snowbird's powers have nothing to do with snow, but Iceman's do. Also, ice. Your mission for today, should you choose to accept it, is to come up with a heat-related superpower you would like to have, beyond basic pyrokinesis or cryokinesis."
"Cryokinesis is the ability to control cold and create ice, and is problematic due to the question of where the heat energy goes when it is removed from whatever is being chilled by the superhuman in question. Thermokinesis is the broad term for these abilities and any others involving the manipulation of heat energy. There are some interesting and unusual abilities that fall under this general umbrella, for instance, I once taught a boy with his head on fire.
"General rule of thumb," Jean-Paul said, and moved to write on the board. First he wrote 'Fire______.' "This person will be a firestarter." Then he wrote '____fire.' "This person may just think it sounds cool, but do not bet against it. Snowbird's powers have nothing to do with snow, but Iceman's do. Also, ice. Your mission for today, should you choose to accept it, is to come up with a heat-related superpower you would like to have, beyond basic pyrokinesis or cryokinesis."