Pavel Chekov rose to the rank of commander, not captain.

Robert Young is correct about the center of gravity of the board, he just got the units wrong (g = 9.8 METERS /sec^2, not feet). Another way to think about it is to think of the AVERAGE distance the board is falling; the "fast" end of the board falls the greatest distance, the hinged end of the board doesn't fall at all. Thus the board (as a whole) is not falling faster than the ball at all.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the fact that ALL the skulls show signs of trepanation (or bullet holes).

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the fact that ALL the skulls show signs of trepanation.