25 Popular Facts That Are Actually False

Someone could be killed by a penny dropped from a tall building.

Penny Drop Myth
The idea that a penny dropped from a tall building could kill someone below has been a popular urban legend for years. The myth suggests that the penny would accelerate to a deadly speed, turning it into a lethal projectile. However, physics tells a different story. When a penny is dropped from a great height, air resistance quickly slows it down, preventing it from reaching a dangerous velocity. The penny’s flat, lightweight design further limits its terminal velocity, which is the maximum speed it can achieve as it falls. At most, a falling penny might cause a small bruise or sting if it hits someone, but it is far from deadly. This myth has been tested in various experiments, including on popular science shows like MythBusters, and the results consistently debunk the idea of a lethal penny. While the thought of a penny falling from the sky may be unsettling, it poses no real threat to anyone below.

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