TAM8 Board Breaking Demonstration

This is footage from a physics demonstration I did for the Talent Show at The Amazing Meeting 8 in Las Vegas. I did it as an entertaining lesson in the physics of collisions and how impulse and momentum play a role in karate board-breaking tricks. It all really just boils down to impulse = change in momentum (or F*t = delta(mv) for you math folk).

It might surprise many people to know that pretty much anyone can break boards with little training - in order to do more challenging breaks like that pictured here takes more training, though the basic principles are still the same. But in the end there is *nothing* mystical involved - no chi or "life energy" or any of that rot. With proper body mechanics and good use of mass (twisting the body), velocity (dropping to convert GPE into KE), and a low time of impact (solid supports that won't give) one can make lots of kindling out of boards. Oh yeah, and the spacers are a nice trick as well :)

Here's a great article from Discover magazine which goes into more detail about the physics of karate strikes... http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1511/is_5_21/ai_61692484

For more information on the physics behind these and other interesting physical feats, plus my musings on science & pseudoscience in general, check out my personal blog, The Skeptical Teacher: http://skepticalteacher.org

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• physics
• TAM
• The Amazing Meeting
• Las Vegas
• science
• karate
• martial arts
• board breaking
• chi
• ki
• qi
• qigong
• miracle
• skepticism
• kung
• fu

[dominictemple]

Great performance and explanation. Really liked seeing it there.

[kjlg74]

Excellent slow motion shot!

How I wish I could have attended this year. TAM is awesome!