Does Superman have to be touching kryptonite to be effected?

My friend and I got in an argument (all in good fun) about whether or not Superman has to be physically touching kryptonite to feel its effects, or whether simply being in the general vicinity of it is enough. Which one of us is right? Please help! Thank you ^^|||Dear Sammy:





According to the classical legend, it is the radiations from the green kryptonite that weaken Superman. Consequently, he does not have to be in physical contact with the mineral to feel its devastating effects. Just being in close proximity is enough.





The closer Superman is to the green kryptonite, the more intensely he feels its radiations. There is a principle in physics called the inverse square law. That is, if you reduce the distance between Superman and the green kryptonite by half, its radiations do not become twice as intense, but actually FOUR times as intense; and should he come into physical contact with the green kryptonite... well, the mineral cannot get much closer - and its radiations cannot get much more intense - than that.





The effects of green kryptonite radiations are cumulative. That is, the longer Superman stays within range of its radiations, the weaker he becomes. Given enough time - and enough exposure - the Man of Steel will die.





If the green kryptonite is twice as close, he will - per the aforementioned inverse square law - succumb four times as fast; and if he comes into physical contact with the mineral? Well, he will not die instantly; but neither will he be long for this world.





Another consideration: A larger piece of green kryptonite will, obviously, put out more radiations than a smaller piece.





The size and proximity of the green kryptonite plays a part in the plot. If a green kryptonite meteor the size of a marble were to land several feet away from Superman, he might be able to blow it out of range with a last-ditch blast of super-breath. On the other hand, if a green kryptonite meteor the size of a basketball were to land at Superman's feet - well, all I can say is, Jimmy Olsen had better get there fast.





I hope that this little treatise settles your friendly argument. Now, play nice.





Flash Kellam|||no, he just have to be close enough to the kryptonite to feel it effects. the distance varies depending on the size and concentration of kryptonite, and the amount of radiation that particular kryptonite is capable of releasing...|||no... he just have to be in the vicinity of the kryptonite to be affected...|||He just have to be around it. He could die if he touched it.|||No.