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?

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 ...

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