[Physics] Can you punch a hole in an A4 sheet of paper with your hand

everyday-lifeforceshome-experimentnewtonian-mechanics

The heading says it all, but let me explain it a little further.

Suppose you hang a sheet of paper (A4 size) from one end leaving the other end free. Now practically it seems impossible to punch a hole through it, but is this theoretically possible? Assume you can not use a bigger size of paper.

So is it theoretically possible to punch a hole in a suspended sheet of paper?
Now, how will the size of the paper affect the result?

I am talking about punching with the hand and not anything else.

Best Answer

In martial arts it is a test of your fast punches.

Hit it fast

The fighter has to twist his hand (mainly karate) in the instant before hitting the target. Momentum as well as angular momentum enforce the punch. The counteracting force will be formed the aerodynamic drag of the paper. Inititially it is Maximum prior to the impact. Be quick before it's deformation will reduce its effective area. Otherwise the paper will move by the impulse of your punch and wrap around your fist.

Hit it effective

The tip of the pen will strike through the paper. Concentrate the force of the punch on a smaller area by sticking up a knuckle of your fist. Fingertips even provide a smaller area. This force per area is a pressure and has to be compared by the material properties (bursting strength, measured in $kPa$) of paper. Depending of the cellulose fiber length, additives and your physical condition you can punch a piece of paper. Best use a newspaper and train martial arts.