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Article: Crouching tiger, hidden science: a physics student and a martial arts black belt have teamed up to explore the science behind kung fu. Are you ready to build some knowledge--and break some boards?
- Article from:
- The Evening Standard (London, England)
- Article date:
- May 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Carus Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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STACKS OF LUMBER SHATTERED with a single chop. Cement blocks smashed by the force of a kick. Is the extreme sport of kung fu some kind of trick? In fact, it is a dramatic example of the principles of force and energy.
To honor the 100th anniversary of Einstein's scientific accomplishments, physics student Michelle Cain, a young doctoral candidate at England's University of Redding, is testing the surprising science behind this extreme sport. But watch out, because her experiment is hands-on. Cain is learning to break boards! Her "lab instructor" is world-renowned kung fu black belt and TV action star Chris Crudelli.
So how do you calculate the physics ...