How MCU Captain America’s Shield Works, Explained By Science

Spider-Man famously claimed that Captain America’s shield “doesn’t obey the laws of physics” in Captain America: Civil War, but this might not be entirely accurate. Captain America’s shield is a central weapon in the MCU, including 2025’s Captain America: Brave New World. It is perhaps the most iconic symbol in the MCU timeline, known for its unique ricocheting properties. Crafted from the rare metal vibranium, the shield exhibits extraordinary abilities that have been explored both in fiction and through scientific analysis.

In the MCU, Captain America’s shield was created during World War II by Howard Stark, who utilized vibranium – a metal known for its unparalleled strength and energy-absorbing characteristics. This shield became the primary defensive and offensive tool for Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America in Captain America: The First Avengers, before he passed the mantel on to Sam Wilson in Avengers: Endgame. The shield’s unique composition allows it to act in fascinating ways, which YouTube user Inside Science has explained scientifically.

Captain America’s Shield Follows The Laws Of Physics

Peter Parker’s Analysis Of Captain America’s Shield Wasn’t Entirely Correct

While Captain America’s shield displays abilities that might seem to defy physics, analysis suggests that its behavior can be explained through known physical principles. The shield’s remarkable ricocheting ability, for instance, can be attributed to elastic collisions. In an elastic collision, objects bounce off each other without losing kinetic energy.

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When Captain America throws his shield, it collides with surfaces at specific angles, allowing it to rebound predictably and return to him. This phenomenon adheres to the law of reflection, where the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. The shield’s vibranium composition plays a crucial role, as it absorbs and dissipates vibrations, preventing energy loss during impacts and enabling these precise rebounds.

How Sam Wilson Is Able To Use Captain America’s Shield

Sam Wilson Hasn’t Received The Super Soldier Serum Like Steve Rogers Did

Following Steve Rogers’ retirement in Endgame, Sam Wilson inherits the mantle of Captain America and the iconic shield. Unlike Rogers, Wilson lacks super-soldier enhancements, making it imperative for him to undergo rigorous training to master the shield’s use. In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Wilson embarks on an intensive regimen to adapt to the shield’s unique dynamics. His background as a U.S. Air Force Pararescueman provides him with exceptional physical conditioning and combat skills, but wielding the shield requires specialized practice.

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Wilson incorporates acrobatic maneuvers, such as flips and spins, to generate the necessary momentum for effective throws and to seamlessly integrate the shield into his fighting style. This is the only real explanation for Sam matching Steve Rogers’ handling of the shield by Brave New World, as Steve received the requisite strength and accuracy through the Super Soldier Serum. Sam, on the other hand, had to learn the skills from scratch. This evolution is depicted across the franchise, highlighting his dedication to embodying the role of Captain America.

Source: Inside Science

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Captain America: Brave New World

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Release Date

February 14, 2025

Director

Julius Onah

Writers

Dalan Musson, Malcolm Spellman

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