No, a falling coin is highly unlikely to kill someone, even if dropped from a great height like a skyscraper.
Here’s why
- Terminal Velocity: Objects falling through the air quickly reach a maximum speed called terminal velocity due to air resistance. For a small, flat object like a penny, air resistance significantly slows its descent.
- Low Impact Force: A penny’s terminal velocity is relatively low (around 25-40 mph or 40-65 kph). This speed, combined with a penny’s light weight (around 2.5 grams), results in a negligible impact force.
- Myth Debunked: The idea of a falling penny being lethal is a common myth that has been debunked by physicists and even the show Mythbusters.
However, it’s important to remember that other falling objects, especially heavier ones, pose a significant danger and can cause serious injury or death.
Can a falling coin kill?
This is known as terminal velocity. A penny will reach terminal velocity after falling about 50 feet (15 meters), then will travel at 25 mph (40 kph) until it reaches the ground. That rate won’t turn the single coin into a killer, though it could cause pain [sources: Wolchover, NASA].
Can coins poison you?
Good point! When zinc-containing coins are swallowed, the acidic fluid in the stomach can cause zinc to leach from the coins. This can cause stomach pains, diarrhea, vomiting, and other symptoms of zinc poisoning. In severe cases of zinc toxicity, death can occur.
Can a penny dropped from a plane kill you?
A penny dropped from a plane is unlikely to cause serious injury due to its low mass and the effects of air resistance. It reaches a terminal velocity that is not fatal, and might only cause a minor sting if it hits someone. Thus, while it can cause some discomfort, it is not lethal.