2007-04-24 08:02:43 · 9 answers · asked by jazboat007 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
It's not possible. This was done on mythbusters!
2007-04-24 08:09:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A penny dropped from the top of a skyscraper can indeed kill a person, in spite of what Mythbusters have said. It can land in the middle of the street, and somebody could rush out to pick it up and get hit by a bus.
2007-04-24 15:23:32 · answer #2 · answered by Scythian1950 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Empire State is 1,250 feet tall, so a cent dropped from the top would hit the ground at around 280 feet per second. Factor in a penny's light weight and flat, non-bullet shape, and the odds are the tumbling coin would barely break the skin.
2007-04-24 15:16:55 · answer #3 · answered by Blue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi
it more than likely would not kill, just give you a bump on the head.
The max speed of it would be held back by air friction, probably only reach 60 mph. And because it has virtually no mass it wouldnt do much damage.
Energy force is equal to mass*(velocity)2.
You would probably get more damage from a small stone because the surface area would be relatively smaller.
2007-04-24 15:10:07 · answer #4 · answered by yakatang 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think the show mythbusters tried this one, and found it does not happen. a Penny will reach terminal velocity and would not break human skin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MythBusters_(season_1)#Penny_Drop
2007-04-24 15:12:54 · answer #5 · answered by wow_rmkr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If suppose he is wanning with his mouth wide open and unlucky enough to have that perfect timing when he blissfully tilts his head backwards.
2007-04-24 15:27:50 · answer #6 · answered by mrbones 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no because of the updraft. the wind will bring the penny back up
2007-04-24 15:11:46 · answer #7 · answered by jerry A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe because it picks up such speed it would like stab them in the head?
2007-04-24 15:10:02 · answer #8 · answered by Sheila 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sure could.
2007-04-24 15:09:51 · answer #9 · answered by Barry auh2o 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋