This is footage from a physics demonstration I did for my students. We had been studying 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...
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Check out my personal blog, The Skeptical Teacher:
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