How about a quarter or half dollar?
2007-01-09 13:02:22 · 11 answers · asked by rusty 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Yes, if the penny was spun rapidly in a vertical orientation, its angular momentum would help it stay in that orientation, and the small surface area of its edge would have a very small air resistance as it fell. It could be as fast as a bullet if thrown correctly.
2007-01-09 13:39:25 · answer #1 · answered by amateur_mathemagician 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Highly unlikely. The maximum acceleration anything you drop can reach is about 60 feet per second. It might be a painful blow to receive and leave a meaningful mark, but even a silver dollar isn't large enough to kill anyone unless some special circumstance is in place. If it hit some granny with an eggshell-thin skull at just the right angle, MAYBE, but that's not a typical scenario.
More to the point, the observation deck of the building has substantial fencing around it so as to prevent people from dropping things or jumping off, both of which have been known to happen in the past. Therefore, you'll never get a chance to test your idea. Of course, a typical New Yorker can shrug off a bullet, so a half dollar would be a drop of spring dew. HAH!
2007-01-09 13:18:03 · answer #2 · answered by gamerathon 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The empire state development is 381 metres intense. this is better than sufficient time for a penny to realize terminal speed. If the the penny have been to then hit somebody on the pinnacle it may better than easily kill them from the consequence. extra to the element, why could you have a penny interior the u . s . a .?
2016-10-30 11:44:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A penny is quite sufficient. If it strikes anywhere near a broad bullseye on an unprotected head it will kill them or convert them to severely brain-damaged.
If you are caught, I vote for life imprisonment if the penny hit anyone, and five years if it did not.
But, I am somewhat more strict than the typical New Yorker.
2007-01-09 13:17:06 · answer #4 · answered by Ursus Particularies 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The penny would acquire a terminal velocity due to air resistance.
The collision velocity is is high .However since its a small mass its collision energy would be very small. Therefore it would not kill a person if the penny fell on his head,but would hurt him serioulsy if if fell on his eye.The same would apply to heavier coin.
2007-01-09 13:19:11 · answer #5 · answered by goring 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it will reach a maximum velocity because air resistance slows it down, and because of its light weight it doesn't have enough energy to cause too much damage.
also, practically, because of the wind in NY, the coin would be blown into other buildings on the way down and it would loose velocity.
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2007-01-09 13:14:20 · answer #6 · answered by sassy g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, they proved this false on that show Mythbusters. Coins don't weigh enough to do any significant damage.
2007-01-09 13:06:50 · answer #7 · answered by Jerry H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope,Earth's gtravity is not strong enough to produce that kind of force.
2007-01-09 14:02:40 · answer #8 · answered by Nicholais S 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
probably it won't will a person. but with that height, it can a bit highly injure that person's head.
2007-01-09 13:09:05 · answer #9 · answered by 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont think so, try an anvil
2007-01-09 13:12:11 · answer #10 · answered by rallman@sbcglobal.net 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋