25 Popular Facts That Are Actually False
Someone could be killed by a penny dropped from a tall building.
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The Impact of a Falling Penny: Science Behind the Myth Scientists have shown that air resistance and the aerodynamics of a penny prevent it from falling with enough force to cause injury to a human.
Key Points Air Resistance: As a penny falls, it encounters air resistance, which significantly slows its descent. This resistance increases as the penny accelerates, eventually reaching a terminal velocity. Terminal Velocity: The terminal velocity of a penny is relatively low, meaning it falls slowly enough that it cannot generate the force needed to cause serious harm upon impact. Aerodynamics: The shape and weight of a penny contribute to its aerodynamic properties, further limiting its speed and impact force.
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