huh?
Mass=weight of matter (even light)
Velocity=speed
Power=Kinetic Energy
A little weight w/ high velocity=lots of chaos (ie:M16/AR15 .223 caliber bullet) or little bullet + lots of propellant (powder in casing)equates to “tumbling” projectile that wrex ****!
A bullet with a larger mass (say the AK47 which is >.300 caliber or ~7.5 mm) and high velocity (lots of powder to propel it) results in serious damage; even moreso than the M16 bullet. Results= small entrance wound and devastating exit hole with lots of penetrating damage.
Punching is very similar. If you are a strong puncher you have to have some speed for the impact force to really penetrate, especially without gloves which tend to spread the force over a wider surface area. If you are really fast with little mass, the speed of your punch can compensate for some lack of mass. If you have a lot of mass behind your punch, assuming you have good technique which includes whipping power or a “relaxed” arm (until impact), and you are fast also; look out!
Conversely, a heavy bullet with little powder to propel it (.32 and .38 caliber) has relatively little penetrating power compared to the higher velocity projectiles. The smaller the surface area affected = the least amount of dissipated energy. The original solution to this prob was the invention of high caliber, low velocity bullets like the .45. The power from a .44 mag or .45 comes from the sheer size of the projectile and not necessarily from the speed of it. The invention of the .375 mag takes care of that by offering a good sized bullet with more gunpowder in the casing. Speed and mass=hole in engine block.
GDA makes a good point when he says that he’s not convinced that physics deals with punching. Physics covers all aspects of reality not just ballistics and such, and if the practitioner is maximizing efficiency and effectiveness of technique it applies to MAs as well. Most folks can’t punch or kick effectively, even if they are training. Still, regardless of whether you know how to deliver your projectile (fists/hands, elbows, feet, knees) or not, the formula- 1/2 MV2 (V is squared)- applies. Knowing how to transfer your bodyweight from the ground up into the weapon (striking limb) takes years of practice. Torque plus hip rotation momentive power helps to deliver the mass to the payload. Also understand that the opponents force can be ( and usually is) used against him, so the variables of the targets velocity and mass at impact is crucial. Walking into a solid, fast, straight right sucks!
All things travel in an arc even light, and the more linear the trajectory of a projectile, the less energy loss there will be. A .44 mag is a force to be reckoned with, but its power (kinetic energy) diminishes greatly after traveling about 35 yards. Not enough velocity to keep the bullet aloft, and it travels in a less linear fashion as compared to higher velocity projectiles. So even hooks and such, are more effective if the path is more linear than arcing.
Relaxtion requires that the antagonistic muscle groups of the limb in question are not tensed when a strike is delivered. Many beginning martial artists use a lot of muscle in their punching. They tend to tense the biceps counteracting the momentive force delivered via the triceps and such. They are in effect “governing” their intent. All of these basic physics principles are commom sense. It doesn’t take someone with a scientific aptitude or backgroung to “feel” them. It’s the numbers and abrreviated words (variables and symbols in the equation) that people get twisted.
You know I don’t have to spend my saturday night explaining these simple, but unknown or overlooked principles of kinetics. I’m confident in my physical and mental abilities so no worries people. These are not secrets per se, but “gems” that the avg. punch drunk ruffian would never figure out without years of trial and error, and even then maybe not (look at all the horrible gung fu guys, karateka, boxers and kickboxers out there-even a lot of K1 dudes).
So to reiterate: Speed is good. Mass can be beneficial. Speed+Mass=Kinetic Energy (power). Punch, kick, and grapple with relaxation (until execution of tech) then use explosive force at the instant of impact or execution. Then relax again. Tai Chi Chuan principles are 100% correct, as is the notion that softness overcomes hardness. Most Marticians progress from hard, to hard-soft, to soft with seemingly little energy expenditure as compared to a novice. Be like water (not to bite Bruce or nothin’), water breaks down rock into grains of sand. All this is done with the physical principal we are debating about. Easy and cheesy,like most things in life when YOU evaluate it honestly.
Happy training, and remember that knowLEDGE is power!!! Pax Americana!