it was a myth i heard one time
2006-09-17 07:42:12 · 14 answers · asked by maddy 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Television
A penny doesn't have the mass to actually kill someone if dropped from a tall building. That is an urban legend.
2006-09-17 07:44:56 · answer #1 · answered by somedays_lovely_dreamer 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Myth. The penny would not reach a fatal velocity of impact due to it's mass and shape. I'm not a ballistics expert so I don't have hard numbers to offer you, but it will only go so fast and max out at that velocity unless another force is applied besides it's mass and gravity. If you altered the penny By condensing it's mass to a denser area and had a point of concentrated surface for maximum penetration, it might be possible.
2006-09-17 14:53:55 · answer #2 · answered by Pundit Bandit 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because the penny will reach a maximum speed of 35-60 mph. Because the weight of the penny and the air resistance of the to the penny eventually nuetralizes gravity so that gravity will not and can not pull the penny any faster. Do you think a item going 35 mph could kill some one. I don't think so all i think it is going to do is put a good dent in a skull.
2006-09-17 15:06:47 · answer #3 · answered by x_timekit 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Without air resistance, it could be possible if the penny was dropped from a high enough height, but since the penny is fairly flat and light, air resistance prevents this from happening.
2006-09-17 15:19:48 · answer #4 · answered by peachzncream3127 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, this is absolutely false. A penny does not have enough mass to reach a velocity that would slice through you. You might get a deep cut if anything.
2006-09-17 14:45:21 · answer #5 · answered by Stryker 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A penny's terminal velocity would be too low for it's mass & surface area. Even if you could roll it into a ball before you dropped it, it would most likely just sting like hell.
2006-09-17 14:45:44 · answer #6 · answered by zavarob 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It's true, but wind resistance keeps that from happening.
2006-09-17 14:44:59 · answer #7 · answered by Tericka 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think it's true but you should contact Mythbusters, they'll do it to Buster the dummie
2006-09-17 14:44:11 · answer #8 · answered by grrl 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I imagine it would just hurt alot if it landed on you.
2006-09-17 14:45:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
i think it is ture because of gravity and it will pick up speed and when it hit it will hurt probly not kill though
2006-09-17 14:44:37 · answer #10 · answered by ShoeLover1036 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋