Each of these was defined by a unique combination of the angle at which the hands are held to one another and how much the fingers of one hand overlap with the fingers or palm of the other. Although ...

The results: The hand configuration that produced the loudest clap—85.2 dB—consisted of holding the hands 45 degrees to each other with the palms partially overlapping.

Understanding the physics of hand clapping, Fu says, could help develop methods to identify people by their claps — for example, allowing users to log into a device based on their unique clap.

Psalm 47, for example, says, "Clap your hands, all you peoples. Shout to God with the voice of triumph." On the other hand, gloomy old Jeremiah says, "All who pass by clap their hands at you; ...

The hands clapping image was based on a photograph of his own hands, taken by his six-year-old son Elliot. "This all started because Elliot loves clapping," Mr Berry said.