Hitting something is a transfer of energy and momentum. When the attacker is braced (say, in a proper fighting stance in a gravity environment), they're able to direct more energy into the punch.
(Note: very simplified physics follows. Usual caveats about friction, sponginess of materials, etc.)
Momentum is conserved in any collision (including a punch). Momentum = mass x velocity, and you have to add up all the moving parts in the scenario.
The puncher, if properly braced, will avoid absorbing much of the momentum (by keeping their personal velocity near zero). Their opponent would absorb the bulk of it, and therefore be shoved. (If both are braced, then you get into absorption of energy in the materials, e.g., flesh and bone.)
It's not so much that weightless, or a lower gravity, would make the punch less. It's that lack of gravity makes it harder to brace oneself and apply the maximum of force.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2010-09-03 05:21 pm (UTC)Hitting something is a transfer of energy and momentum. When the attacker is braced (say, in a proper fighting stance in a gravity environment), they're able to direct more energy into the punch.
(Note: very simplified physics follows. Usual caveats about friction, sponginess of materials, etc.)
Momentum is conserved in any collision (including a punch). Momentum = mass x velocity, and you have to add up all the moving parts in the scenario.
The puncher, if properly braced, will avoid absorbing much of the momentum (by keeping their personal velocity near zero). Their opponent would absorb the bulk of it, and therefore be shoved. (If both are braced, then you get into absorption of energy in the materials, e.g., flesh and bone.)
It's not so much that weightless, or a lower gravity, would make the punch less. It's that lack of gravity makes it harder to brace oneself and apply the maximum of force.