Hey people,

I'm Matt and have just joined, in the hope of having a couple of questions answered. Before I go into asking them though I need to ask if anyone here has any knowledge of martial arts or boxing.

First question though is is the book 'physics for dummies any good?'


Thanks very much!

Hi Matt. Welcome!

I've not read it, but I've found nothing but good in the for Dummies series. I believe that it would give a great overview of the basics of the wonderful science of Physics which, as you may know, is the cornerstone of so many of the sciences.

I don't, though, think it would help much with specifically regarding martial arts as there are so many variables involved with the physics of blows, holds, etc.

Hang tight, though. Capuchin, our resident science guru, may be able to add more.

Martial arts is very basic mechanics. Conservation of momentum, tipping points, moments, center of gravity and that sort of thing. As Rick says, there's a lot going on but it should be able to be broken down fairly easily.

I haven't read any of the dummies books, but the one problem I have about most physics text books is the obscuring language they use. Hopefully the dummies book will not fall prey to that.

Ok, its 3am so I may get some of this wrong! Bare with me! It will probably be a lot of little questions.

In boxing, or any other martial art usually,when throwing a punch, the martial artist turns his hips and shoulders. When they do this they say they are "putting their weight" into the strike.

Now the thing is, is that actually what it is doing, because it doesn't make the arm heavier, and the body isn't behind the strike only the shoulder really, it just moves the body, so is it really just adding velocity to the strike, because the body is moving at say 5m/s. then the arm moves at 10ms adding to 15ms.

Or does it add momentum?

What adds for a powerful impact in any collision whenther it be a strike, or a car crash?

Which of the following does it apply to or more, velocity, acceleration, mass, momentum?

The thing is though if all the turning of hips does is add velocity and acceleration, does that mean if a little lightweight gets arms the size of a heavyweight, and the lightweight can turn his body faster than the heavuweight will he hit harder? Or not due to momentum.

Also some heavyweights are quite slow and sluggish throwing punches, but are hard hitters.

Is there technique to deliver say explosive power (tyson) by turning the hips first, and maybe a slower power (perhaps shavers?) by turning the hips at a different time?

So if the body adds nothing but speed, does it mean that just the fist and forearm, and anything directly in line and behind it is what adds up to the mass?


There's a load of questions here, I would be grateful if anyone could answer some of all of them, and more grateful if they can do it in easy to understand English!

I may come up with a load of questions after this too

Cheers very much! I will rate your answers for you etc.
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