• Question: Can a coin falling from the top of the Eiffel Tower kill you?

    Asked by estherisboss to Chris, Rebecca on 26 Jun 2015.
    • Photo: Chris Armstrong

      Chris Armstrong answered on 26 Jun 2015:

      Almost certainly not, but a few factors might make it possible.

      Generally the coin has far too low a terminal velocity to kill, it would hurt and could break the skin but it wont kill you. This varies depending on the mass, orientation, and even air temperature.

      Terminal velocity is basically the maximum speed something falling can reach without an additional force to gravity. The air drag on the object increases with its velocity, and at a point the resistive force and accelerating force balance out and the coin no longer accelerates.

    • Photo: Rebecca Dewey

      Rebecca Dewey answered on 26 Jun 2015:

      Probably not unless you were already poorly – it might hurt a baby though!

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