I was daydreaming idly the other day, as I tend to do, about force.
Namely, I wonder what force I am able to exert solely from my bicep? If I were arm-less, save for my bicep, with what force could I strike someone across the arse?
Probably, not a lot.
Consider then, if I now add my forearm. By allowing my forearm to go limp, and only moving my bicep, I am able to generate an order of magnitude greater force from my arm, using a swinging motion, to strike a willing someone. What is the amount of power added vs the ratio of arm being added I wonder.
Consider then, if I now add my wrist, hand, and fingers, all with more pivot points. What proportional power would be added then? By my entire arm to be relatively limp and using my bicep to throw my arm, I am already generating significant power and concentrating it into my fingertips, if I can efficiently hit my willing subject at the moment of highest energy.
The exact models for the physics of what's going on evade me for now, but note here that if I were to continue to add length to my arm via the use of instruments such as a whip, I can generate enough energy and power solely from my arm to break the sound barrier, hence why whips can 'crack'.
It was this insight that made me think I'll probably never invest in any canes, whips or other such pain instruments again. The hand is a much better method of pain stimulation because not only does it restrict the forces at work to a safe level, but it allows me direct sensory feedback into what the sub will have experienced.
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