| Posted By |
Message |
HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
|
Can a Penny Dropped From a Building Kill a Pedestrian Below?
I know I've thought about this myself  so when I saw the story, I thought I'd share it!
Can a Penny Dropped From a Building Kill a Pedestrian Below?
John Stossel Tackles the Killer Penny Myth
Have you heard this one? That a penny thrown off the top of the Empire State Building could kill a pedestrian below? Or that it would go through the sidewalk?
Many visitors outside of the famous skyscraper we spoke to had heard all about killer pennies. "Anybody who gets hit by that penny is about to die, 'cause that's a long way for a penny to fall," said one young man. "It could actually go through someone's skull," said another.
Tourists at America's tallest building, the Sears Tower in Chicago, agreed. "If it hit concrete it would probably be smashed into little bits, or just flattened out if it landed sideways," said one man.
"I think it would go through the roof of a car, sink into the cement, or hurt someone," said one woman. "Not a pleasant thought. Don't want to try it, but it would be kind of interesting to find out," she said.
We thought so too, so we asked University of Virginia physics professor Louis Bloomfield about it. "They're thinking of a world without air ... but air resistance is a big deal for little things. It slows down leaves, it slows down raindrops and it slows down pennies," he said.
"The penny is heavier [than a raindrop] but it flutters as it comes down. It's very unstable in the air."
Bloomfield has heard about the myth so often he tackles it in his latest book, "How Everything Works."
"Pennies, they're not aerodynamically stable ... they catch a lot of wind ... basically they're safe," he said.
Safe? Really? We wanted proof. "The ideal thing would be to drop a penny off the Empire State Building and catch it," he said. "But sadly, no building will let us do this because they're all worried about the myth!"
The Test
At our request, Bloomfield concocted another test. He filled a large weather balloon with helium and attached a penny dispenser to it that spits out pennies one at a time. He launched the balloon hundreds of feet into the air and then a remote control device released the pennies and he ran around trying to catch them.
He didn't actually catch any of the pennies, but was hit by several of them, one time on the chin. "It was like getting hit by a bug ... it was noticeable, but nothing more. I was just disappointed I hadn't caught the thing," he said. "I didn't catch it because I'm a bad catcher and it was a windy day, but basically these things are just fluttering down."
But his balloon only went up a couple hundred feet -- the Empire State Building is over a thousand feet tall! "Even though we didn't go as high as the Empire State Building, it doesn't matter. The penny will hit full speed after 50 feet or so, and it just coasts," he replied.
The pennies "reach terminal velocity and no matter how high we put the balloon, they never picked up any more speed." Terminal velocity is the maximum speed a falling object reaches and is determined by the object's weight and air resistance. Because a penny is lightweight and not aerodynamic, air resistance slows it down so much that its terminal velocity is quite slow.
But not so for many other objects, Bloomfield warns. "Even if they're relatively small, if they're aerodynamically streamlined -- like a ball point pen -- they'll reach the point at which they're going a couple hundred miles an hour, and that's dangerous," he said. "Don't dump your handbag out the top of a building. Something in that bag is likely to go awfully fast."
******************************
So there you have it folks! A penny dropped from the Empire State Building will NOT kill someone if it lands on them!
Case closed!
|
Posted 9/19/08 12:34 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
bird382
.
Member since 7/07 1712 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Can a Penny Dropped From a Building Kill a Pedestrian Below?
I think the Mythbusters guys busted this theory, too. I was always terrified of being impaled by a coin, so it was a huge relief!
|
| Posted 9/19/08 12:57 PM |
| |
|
Phyl
R.I.P. Sweet Mia ♥
Member since 5/06 28918 total posts
Name:
The Mystical Azzhorse! ™
|
Re: Can a Penny Dropped From a Building Kill a Pedestrian Below?
It possibly could lead to death. You back up into on comming traffic while looking up to locate the penny!   
|
| Posted 9/19/08 1:22 PM |
| |
|
MissRadiant
Happily Ever After
Member since 9/08 2534 total posts
Name:
N
|
Re: Can a Penny Dropped From a Building Kill a Pedestrian Below?
Posted by Phyl
It possibly could lead to death. You back up into on comming traffic while looking up to locate the penny!
|
| Posted 9/19/08 1:23 PM |
| |
|
GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
|
Re: Can a Penny Dropped From a Building Kill a Pedestrian Below?
Posted by bird382
I think the Mythbusters guys busted this theory, too. I was always terrified of being impaled by a coin, so it was a huge relief!
I saw that episode. They even ramped up the terminal velocity by shooting it out of a modified rifle. There's no possible way (on planet Earth) that a coin will cause any damage if dropped from a building.
I can't vouch for pennies dropped from buildings on other planets, other galaxies, or other dimensions, though. I think Mythbusters is going to address those next season.... 
|
| Posted 9/22/08 9:56 AM |
| |
|
SnickNNick
In our new house!!
Member since 8/08 2119 total posts
Name:
Nicole
|
Re: Can a Penny Dropped From a Building Kill a Pedestrian Below?
Posted by GoldenRod
Posted by bird382
I think the Mythbusters guys busted this theory, too. I was always terrified of being impaled by a coin, so it was a huge relief!
I saw that episode. They even ramped up the terminal velocity by shooting it out of a modified rifle. There's no possible way (on planet Earth) that a coin will cause any damage if dropped from a building.
I can't vouch for pennies dropped from buildings on other planets, other galaxies, or other dimensions, though. I think Mythbusters is going to address those next season....
Yep they did! DH is obsessed with Mythbusters...he wants to be one. He met Jamie and Grant at some engineering thing and was like "Oh my God I met Jamie Hyneman and Grant Imahara!!"
The episode about the penny was just on the other day again
|
| Posted 9/22/08 9:58 AM |
| |
|
LaurenExp
Waiting patiently for baby sis
Member since 8/06 11613 total posts
Name:
L-Diddy EDD 11/11/11 :)
|
Re: Can a Penny Dropped From a Building Kill a Pedestrian Below?
Actually, that's pretty interesting. You always hear that myth..so glad its put to rest. The Empire State folks can now rest easy...
|
| Posted 9/22/08 9:59 AM |
| |
|
wannabemom
look who's freshly baked!
Member since 12/07 7364 total posts
Name:
aka marriedinportjeff
|
Re: Can a Penny Dropped From a Building Kill a Pedestrian Below?
I've watched that show numerous times... they really need to take more physics classes.... their 'experimental designs' are very TV friendly and amusing, but you can't take the results seriously at all.....
|
| Posted 9/22/08 10:35 AM |
| |
|
HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
|
Re: Can a Penny Dropped From a Building Kill a Pedestrian Below?
Posted by wannabemom
I've watched that show numerous times... they really need to take more physics classes.... their 'experimental designs' are very TV friendly and amusing, but you can't take the results seriously at all.....
To your point, their experiements do seem like they're more for TV than science but I wonder if "real" experiments are done off screen and then they put together the "TV" ones...
Also, since you've mentioned you're in physics, any comment on the penny theory?
|
| Posted 9/22/08 10:48 AM |
| |
|
GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
|
Re: Can a Penny Dropped From a Building Kill a Pedestrian Below?
Posted by Jennie0898
Posted by wannabemom
I've watched that show numerous times... they really need to take more physics classes.... their 'experimental designs' are very TV friendly and amusing, but you can't take the results seriously at all.....
To your point, their experiements do seem like they're more for TV than science but I wonder if "real" experiments are done off screen and then they put together the "TV" ones...
Also, since you've mentioned you're in physics, any comment on the penny theory?
They get huge backlashes on their forums if they do things too far outside of quasi-realistic physics. Once in a while, they have "redo" shows where audience members tell them how they screwed up the experiment, and how to do it the right way. I agree that it's made for TV, but most of their stuff is accurate enough for the general populace.
|
| Posted 9/22/08 10:50 AM |
| |
|
mtdr1106
junior supafly
Member since 3/06 2268 total posts
Name:
tricia
|
Re: Can a Penny Dropped From a Building Kill a Pedestrian Below?
well - i wish i knew this when i was 8 years old and got thrown off the "intrepid sea air space museum" because i was trying to throw pennies into the water and make a wish!!
no lie
i still remember that security guard yelling in my face that my penny couldve killed someone.
hope he reads this article and my little crying face haunts him!!
|
| Posted 9/22/08 11:20 AM |
| |
|
HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
|
Re: Can a Penny Dropped From a Building Kill a Pedestrian Below?
Posted by mtdr1106
well - i wish i knew this when i was 8 years old and got thrown off the "intrepid sea air space museum" because i was trying to throw pennies into the water and make a wish!!
no lie
i still remember that security guard yelling in my face that my penny couldve killed someone.
hope he reads this article and my little crying face haunts him!!
 
That's crazy...but I have to admit alittle funny too...
I'm sorry that happened to you though... 
|
| Posted 9/22/08 11:22 AM |
| |
|
HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
|
Re: Can a Penny Dropped From a Building Kill a Pedestrian Below?
Posted by GoldenRod
Posted by Jennie0898
Posted by wannabemom
I've watched that show numerous times... they really need to take more physics classes.... their 'experimental designs' are very TV friendly and amusing, but you can't take the results seriously at all.....
To your point, their experiements do seem like they're more for TV than science but I wonder if "real" experiments are done off screen and then they put together the "TV" ones...
Also, since you've mentioned you're in physics, any comment on the penny theory?
They get huge backlashes on their forums if they do things too far outside of quasi-realistic physics. Once in a while, they have "redo" shows where audience members tell them how they screwed up the experiment, and how to do it the right way. I agree that it's made for TV, but most of their stuff is accurate enough for the general populace.
That's cool, I didn't know they've done "redo" shows.
|
| Posted 9/22/08 11:22 AM |
| |
|
mtdr1106
junior supafly
Member since 3/06 2268 total posts
Name:
tricia
|
Re: Can a Penny Dropped From a Building Kill a Pedestrian Below?
i laugh about it now - but at the time - they acted like they were going to haul me off to jail!!
i actually forgot about the icident until i read this post!
|
| Posted 9/22/08 11:23 AM |
| |
|
GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
|
Re: Can a Penny Dropped From a Building Kill a Pedestrian Below?
Posted by Jennie0898
Posted by GoldenRod
Posted by Jennie0898
Posted by wannabemom
I've watched that show numerous times... they really need to take more physics classes.... their 'experimental designs' are very TV friendly and amusing, but you can't take the results seriously at all.....
To your point, their experiements do seem like they're more for TV than science but I wonder if "real" experiments are done off screen and then they put together the "TV" ones...
Also, since you've mentioned you're in physics, any comment on the penny theory?
They get huge backlashes on their forums if they do things too far outside of quasi-realistic physics. Once in a while, they have "redo" shows where audience members tell them how they screwed up the experiment, and how to do it the right way. I agree that it's made for TV, but most of their stuff is accurate enough for the general populace.
That's cool, I didn't know they've done "redo" shows.
From their site:
http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/about/about.html
Mythbusters Message Boards
Episode 51: Myths Revisited
Here's another look at myths that generated a truckload of angry fan mail, prompting Jamie and Adam to put them back under the microscope. In Split Arrow, the three" mythkateers" take their best shots at busting this myth again — with surprising results. Fans were not impressed when the Confederate Rocket was fuelled with paraffin; instead, they insisted on a "salami" launch. In Bulletproof Water, Adam and Jamie explored the depth of survival when shot at underwater.
Episode 64: More Myths Revisited
Returning to the most controversial myths, "Myths Revisited" offers Jamie and Adam the chance to clear their names. Watch as they repeat past experiments to see if their original answer was genuine or bogus. There's laughter, danger and attitude as the MythBusters fight for their rights.
Premiere: Oct. 25, 2006
Episode 75: More Myths Revisited
Every so often the MythBusters draw conclusions that leave the fans seething. Well, once again, it's time for Adam and Jamie to put some of their most contentious outcomes under the microscope in More Myths Revisited. That's right — tune in and check out a few myths that left you peeved, like Exploding Trombone, Sniper Scope, Finger in the Barrel and Coke and Mentos.
Premiere: March 21, 2007
|
| Posted 9/22/08 11:30 AM |
| |
|
