MadSci Network: Medicine |
Hi Steven, Although your question is far away from my area of knowledge (biochemistry), I think I can answer your question. It’s more about physics really. If you make a mat of thousands of nails, pointed side up, with about half a centimeter between each nail, I would have no problem to sit down on it. This is because each nail takes only a small portion of my weight, probably not even enough to prick the tiniest hole in my trousers. If you would space the nails five centimeters apart, I would still sit on your mat, but I would be more careful with my movements. I might also get a few holes in my trousers. Here each point takes a larger part of my weight but, my skin being elastic as opposed to the tissue in my jeans, I will only suffer from an array of red sore dots on my buttocks. Now, if you would ask me to sit on one (1) seven-inch nail stomped through a plank, I would certainly protest wildly! Excuse the pun, but do you get my point? ;-) If you spread loads of small pieces of broken glass on the floor and then walk over them putting down your feet very levelly (no heels first, and not tip-toeing) chances are that the force on your soles will not be enough to cut your skin. Another important factor is that the feet should be dry: wet skin tears more easily. I don’t know if you’ve seen a trick sometimes performed my magicians and fakirs: walking up a ladder built of sharp swords. Here they usually treat their soles beforehand to make them dry but still elastic. I hope this answers your question! Kind regards, Erik
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