Was "A penny dropped from a skyscraper can kill someone below" taught in school?

Yes — and not as a joke question on a quiz. This science claim showed up in textbooks, worksheets, and classroom posters through the 1980s, which is why so many people still remember it as settled fact long after the science moved on.

When was this understanding updated?

The evidence had largely shifted by around 2012. Schools don't flip overnight, though — plenty of classrooms kept teaching the older version for years after researchers had already moved on.

Is "A penny dropped from a skyscraper can kill someone below" true?

Physics teachers loved debunking this one: a penny dropped from a skyscraper supposedly punches through a skull like a bullet, an urban legend persistent enough to show up in movies and classroom safety warnings alike. Terminal velocity has other plans. A penny's flat shape and light weight mean it tumbles rather than plummets, capping out at a speed nowhere close to lethal. It might sting if it lands on you. It will not put a hole in anyone.

What you were taught

A penny dropped from a skyscraper can kill someone below

What we know now

A falling penny reaches terminal velocity quickly and is too light and flat to penetrate the skull. It might sting, but physics shows it is not a lethal projectile from a tall building.

Updated understanding emerged around 2012

Source Comment

Science

Common questions

Was "A penny dropped from a skyscraper can kill someone below" taught in school?: Yes — and not as a joke question on a quiz. This science claim showed up in textbooks, worksheets, and classroom posters through the 1980s, which is why so many people still remember it as settled fact long after the science moved on.
Is "A penny dropped from a skyscraper can kill someone below" true?: No. A falling penny reaches terminal velocity quickly and is too light and flat to penetrate the skull. It might sting, but physics shows it is not a lethal projectile from a tall building. If you want the primary citation, start with Scientific American - Could a Penny Dropped Off a Skyscraper Kill You?
When was this understanding updated?: The evidence had largely shifted by around 2012. Schools don't flip overnight, though — plenty of classrooms kept teaching the older version for years after researchers had already moved on.

Related myths

Dinosaurs were cold-blooded and sluggish
1980s · Science
A goldfish's memory span is only 3 seconds
1980s · Science
Humans swallow an average of eight spiders per year in their sleep
1980s · Science

Add a comment

Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.