Do Ewoks pack a punch?

Matthew James PERKINS

Abstract


This paper aims to calculate the force that would be required to knock out a Stormtrooper with a rock thrown by an Ewok. In order to calculate this, the ways in which a person can get knocked out are explored, finding that the best way is to get the head to rotate in a way such that the brain hits the skull. The spin required to knock someone out was assumed, and was used to work out an angular frequency and subsequently a linear velocity. The force was then worked out, using a number of assumptions regarding the mass of a Stormtroopers head, and it was found that a force of 2797 N would be required to knock the Stormtrooper out. Therefore, the Ewok threw the rock with the same force which was 1.4 times stronger than professional featherweight boxers.


Keywords


Film; Physics; Biology; Concussion; Mechanics; Star Wars; Ewok; Stormtrooper

Full Text:

PDF

References


Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983) Directed by Richard Marquand [Film]. USA: Lucas film.

Wookieepedia (2018a). Stormtrooper. Available at: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Stormtrooper [Accessed 3rd March 2018].

Fiction Taxonomy Wiki (2018). Ewok. Available at: http://fiction-taxonomy.wikia.com/wiki/Ewok [Accessed 21st February 2018].

BigBadToyStore (2018). Star Wars S.H.Figuarts Stormtrooper (Rogue One). Available at: https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/VariationDetails/43515 [Accessed 3rd March 2018].

Puiu, T. (2017). What happens in the brain when you get 'knocked out'. ZME Science. Available at: https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/mind-and-brain/why-we-get-knocked-out/ [Accessed 21st February 2018].

Nair, A. (2015). Why Do Boxers Get ‘Knocked out’? ScienceABC. Available at: https://www.scienceabc.com/sports/people-get-knocked.html [Accessed 21st February 2018].

Choi, C.Q. (2010). Brute Force: Humans Can Sure Take a Punch. Live Science. Available at: https://www.livescience.com/6040-brute-force-humans-punch.html [Accessed 21st February 2018].

Mechanical-engineering-assignment.com (2018). Equations Of Motions Along A Circular Path | Mechanical Engineering Assignment. Available at: http://www.mechanical-engineering-assignment.com/equations-of-motions-along-a-circular-path [Accessed 20th March 2018].

Dimensionsinfo.com. (2014). Size of a Human Skull. Dimensions Info. Available at: http://www.dimensionsinfo.com/size-of-a-human-skull/ [Accessed 3rd March 2018].

Hypertextbook.com (2018). Mass of a Human Head - The Physics Factbook. Available at: https://hypertextbook.com/facts/2006/DmitriyGekhman.shtml [Accessed 21st February 2018].

Hard Head Veterans (2016). Ballistic Military Helmets and Which One is Right for You! Hard Head Veterans. Available at: https://www.hardheadveterans.com/blogs/reviews/90841479-ballistic-military-helmets-and-which-one-is-right-for-you [Accessed 21st February 2018].

Adams, C. (2018). The true force of a boxer's punch. Connect Savannah. Available at: https://www.connectsavannah.com/savannah/the-true-force-of-a-boxers-punch/Content?oid=2133328 [Accessed 21st February 2018].

Wookieepedia (2018b). Ewok/Legends. Available at: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Ewok/Legends [Accessed 21st February 2018].


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.