Kryptonite is a radioactive mineral that made up most of the planet Krypton's structure, including its core.^[1] Clark tells Kara that kryptonite is "radioactive pieces of our home world" that landed on Earth in October 1989 during a spectacular yet destructive meteor shower which struck Smallville and concealed the arrival of the baby Kal-El and his cousin, Kara.

Since the meteor shower, the rocks are found in the soil of the town in abundance and are known to the residents as "meteor rock". Clark termed the rocks "kryptonite" after learning of his heritage^[2] and since then, that name has been used by those who know his secret.

Powers and AbilitiesEdit

Kryptonite is most commonly found in a dark green form, but exists in several varieties designated by color. Each type affects Kryptonians differently, though green, red, blue and gemstone kryptonite can have dramatic effects on humans as well.

Natural kryptonite

There are four forms of kryptonite that appear to occur naturally:

Green kryptonite emits a radiation that is extremely toxic to super-powered Kryptonians. The radiation itself first causes symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, pain, and weakness that eventually grow more severe until loss of consciousness occurs. Green kryptonite can also affect humans, causing mutations and psychosis

Red kryptonite brings out the rebellious and immoral personality of Kryptonians and rids them of most of their inhibitions. The effects of red kryptonite are likened to that of being under the influence of too much alcohol, without the loss of physical capability. Red K can also affect humans in a similar fashion.

Blue kryptonite suppresses Kryptonian powers, making them vulnerable like a mortal. Also appears to contribute to human health. However, the effects of this kind of kryptonite disappear by ceasing to be in contact with it.

Gold kryptonite is a mineral that can be found on Earth-1 and Earth-2. It can give Kryptonians permanent wounds and can strip them of their powers and abilities forever

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Non-natural kryptonite

There are four additional forms of kryptonite that appear to be processed or synthetic:

Black kryptonite can be created when green kryptonite is heated at extreme temperatures and turns black. It has the ability to separate or combine the good and evil aspects of an organism (humans and Kryptonians alike) into two separate individuals.

Gemstone kryptonite is made of white minerals originally found in a quarry in Smallville. It causes Kryptonians to inhabit wish-fulfilling properties and seem to give them temporary powers of persuasion. The effects from the mineral can also affect the infected with it. This type of kryptonite can be counteracted by green kryptonite. (Persuasion)

Silver kryptonite is a synthetic kryptonite created by Brainiac that induces paranoia in Kryptonians, such as Clark Kent. (Splinter)

Clear kryptonite is green kryptonite that has been neutralized. It is harmless to Kryptonians. It first appeared when Lana's necklace got too close to Kal-El's ship, and the ship turned the kryptonite from a green to a transparent glass-like form. It is unknown if the same effect works on other types of kryptonite.

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WeaknessesEdit

The effects of the kryptonite on Kryptonians can be shielded or blocked with lead.^[3]. Also, some Kryptonian technology can neutralize the effects of kryptonite. LuthorCorp was able to develop a technology to absorb the radiation of the kryptonite.

In the Comics Edit

The material is usually shown as having been created from the remains of Superman's native planet of Krypton, and generally has detrimental effects on Superman and other Kryptonians. The name "kryptonite" covers a variety of forms of the substance, but usually refers to the most common "green" form. Kryptonite is one of the few things that can kill Superman.

Despite the matching name, it was never suggested that the element krypton had any significance to the name of the planet Krypton. Under standard chemical naming procedures, the -ite suffix of kryptonite would denote an oxyanion of the element krypton. However, krypton is a noble gas that forms compounds only with great difficulty, and such an oxyanion is not known.

Green kryptonite is the most common form of kryptonite. It exists primarily as a metallic ore, but can also be found in crystalline forms. The most debilitating aspect of green kryptonite does not stem so much from the unrefined ore itself, but rather from the waves of radiation that it generates. Exposure to green kryptonite radiation will greatly weaken a Kryptonian, robbing them of their powers. Prolonged exposure to green kryptonite proves fatal. Over time, a Kryptonian may develop a slight immunity to the effects of green kryptonite, but ultimately, green kryptonite radiation will poison the body's cell structure, resulting in death.

Green kryptonite is also deadly to normal humans, but its effects take longer to fully develop. Lex Luthor once fashioned a small piece of kryptonite into a gemstone, which he fitted into a ring. After wearing the ring for several months, the radiation produced cancerous growths in his hand, and he was forced to amputate the diseased limb.

Kara Kent AKA Supergirl was locked in a kryptonite radiated filled ship for 30 years before she started suffering any ill effects from the exposure. Kryptonite is much more deadly to Kryptonian than it is to humans.

QuotesEdit

Martha: If the green meteor rocks affect Clark physically, maybe the red affects him... emotionally.

Season Two, Red

Clark: Mom, you don't think I really meant those things I said about you and Chloe?

Martha: I think there was a grain of truth in all of it. Every time you've been affected by red kryptonite, it hasn't changed who you are. It's just stripped away your inhibitions. I think you need to start being more honest about how you feel.

Season Six, Crimson

Kara: I would do it myself but those green rocks, they keep weakening me.

Clark: And trust me, you want to stay away from them. If you are around them too long they can kill you.

Kara: Kill me? Zor-El told me that the yellow sun would give me abilities beyond my wildest dreams but he definitely never mentioned any fatal weaknesses.

Clark: That’s because he didn’t know. The green rocks, they’'re called kryptonite-- radioactive pieces of our homeworld.

Season Seven, Kara

Future Lois: Wait a minute. Oh, no. Kryptonite again?

Clark: Look, I...

Future Lois: (looks into Clark's eyes) Blue? Red? Not green? Please tell me it's not the black. Because that was a disaster.

Season Ten, Homecoming

Clark Luthor: (to Tess) It still bothers you doesn't it? There's no takebacks when it comes to Gold K. Lex sure knew how to leave an impression, didn't he?

Season Ten, Luthor

Emil: So, I pulled the geological surveys you gave me and Clark's info from the alt-world was right.

Tess: About?

Emil: Well, the surprise at the end of the kryptonite rainbow, the gold stuff exists.

Tess: What does it do to him?

Emil: Well, drawing on the Veritas journals, Chloe's database, and my best calculations, it could take away his powers. For good.

Season Ten, Kent

See AlsoEdit

• Clark Kent's kryptonite vulnerability
• Love molecule

ReferencesEdit

1. ↑ Kara
2. ↑ Visitor
3. ↑ Clark learns this in Metamorphosis and keeps a lead box with a piece of kryptonite in it for emergencies. This formula also works with B-Kryptonite