Debunked Myths

This classic urban legend has scared generations away from skyscraper edges, imagining a simple penny transforming into a deadly projectile. The scenario seems intuitively terrifying—a coin falling 1,000 feet must become a bullet by the time it reaches the ground. Our brains naturally equate height with danger, assuming continuous acceleration would create unstoppable force. However, basic physics reveals why this fear is unfounded, no matter how high the drop begins.

Air resistance quickly becomes the penny's saving grace. Within just 50 feet, the coin reaches its terminal velocity of 30-50 mph—no faster than a baseball pitch. The penny's light weight and flat shape cause it to flutter and tumble chaotically rather than maintaining a dangerous, streamlined descent. At this speed, being struck would feel like a sharp flick rather than a lethal impact. The MythBusters team thoroughly tested this legend, demonstrating that pennies lack the mass and aerodynamics to become weapons, regardless of the starting altitude.

The myth's persistence reveals our psychological tendency to fear dramatic but improbable dangers while underestimating common risks. We imagine spectacular scenarios where ordinary objects turn deadly, overlooking how physics protects us through air resistance and terminal velocity. While dropping anything from heights remains irresponsible, the humble penny simply doesn't have what it takes to become a killer—it's all falling threat with no follow-through.