Two pence and Eiffel Tower

[craigfer]

If i dropped a two pence piece of the top of the Eiffel Tower and it hit my friend on the head would the coin go through his skull. Please settle this workplace argument

[stewey]

Craigfer, why would you take your "friend" to France to kill him/her? Surely we have lots of high spots in the UK. And use a 1898 penny: it's much heavier and half the price.

[stewey]

Anyway, after reading your question again carefully, I don' think the French would sell you a piece of the top of the Eiffel Tower for tuppence.

[Sasha13]

No - it's an urban myth. It would cause a bruise and maybe a cut, but nothing more.

[eifionlewis]

It all depends on the wind, the way the coin falls, and where on the head ht person was hit.

The Eiffel tower is high enough that a coin could reach terminal velocity, which is fast enough for it to pierce the skull if it were to make contact side on.

However the upward force of wind on the face of the coin could slow it down, and also if the coin made contact face on, it would most likely fracture the skull but not enter the skull cavity.

It depends on a lot of factors, but theoretically yes it is possible, although a marble would be more certain due to having less wind resistance!

(Please note that I am in no way advocating this practice as it is a potentially dangerous and extremely stupid thing to do)

[Quizmonster]

No. Click here for a scientific answer.

[mibn2cweus]

terminal velocity of a penny

[Thicko2006]

There's only one certain way of finding out. But these days you would have to use a Euro - if you used a twopence piece, I think you would find it was illegal.

[hubblebubble]

If you are that interested, take someone you don't like on a surprise holiday to paris!

[eifionlewis]

Important note: Those links are for an american penny.... which is a hell of a lot lighter than the british two pence..... for which the terminal velocity is much higher, so basically what i said still applies :o)

2nd important note: The flat side factor means that nothing major would happen if it fell flipping around, however in theory if it were to fall side on the whole way down, then wind resistance would be reduced hugely, and damage would certainly be done. This is a practical impossibility though, and i wasn't saying that it would kill someone, a marble would be more likely tho.