# A Blow To The Head From A Very Fast-Moving Apple **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 30, 2019, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600 "2019-12-30T16:45:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2019, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/21 "2019-12-31T21:22:33Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly! Man, I think that episode made me laugh more and harder than any other sitcom episode I’ve ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2019, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/22 "2019-12-31T21:51:40Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly! They CAN fly! Straight down! Kamikaze turkeys FTW! Holiday exercise: Launch a skydiving plane loaded with apples, bread, and turkeys. Push them out in that order. Plummeting turkeys will gobble apples and bread on the way down, providing instant dressing when they [del]hit bottom[/del] land. And if any mathematicians are in the drop zone, so much the better. More insights! ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2019, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/23 "2019-12-31T22:03:06Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Man, I think that episode made me laugh more and harder than any other sitcom episode I’ve ever seen. And something like it seems to have [actually happened](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WQXI_(AM)#WKRP_connection) at the radio station WKRP was based upon. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/24 "2020-01-01T02:28:13Z")
Some Googling suggests that a baseball’s mass is around 149g, whereas a typical apple is around 90. Assuming similar size & drag, terminal velocities (according to [this calculator](http://www.calctool.org/CALC/eng/aerospace/terminal)) should be around 31 and 24 meters/sec respectively. That’s about 70 mph for the baseball and 54 mph for the apple. I think an apple at 54 mph is likely to be painful, but not very dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/25 "2020-01-01T04:08:18Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > I think an apple at 54 mph is likely to be painful, but not very dangerous. Are you volunteering? ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/26 "2020-01-01T05:41:12Z")
And the question is… “Name the last thing that William Tell’s kid expected to happen.” ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/27 "2020-01-01T13:06:41Z")
All kidding aside, I think that the forces involved in a collision between objects with roughly unit density having relative velocity go up without limit as the velocity goes up, while the forces involved in deforming the objects against their own internal rigidity are constant. If the apple goes fast enough, in practical terms the apple and the head are equally sturdy and both will blow up real good. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/28 "2020-01-01T15:40:14Z")
“Red Delicious” apples are so mushy, a cranial impact is unlikely to have any significant effect. ---
**Author:** ![KMS94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ad7895/32.png) [@KMS94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KMS94)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/29 "2020-01-01T17:57:08Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > All kidding aside, I think that the forces involved in a collision between objects with roughly unit density having relative velocity go up without limit as the velocity goes up, while the forces involved in deforming the objects against their own internal rigidity are constant. If the apple goes fast enough, in practical terms the apple and the head are equally sturdy and both will blow up real good. I’ve shot an apple out of a homemade, propane fueled potato gun, and it punched a perfect hole through 1/2 inch plywood. I can only imagine that would be fatal, or at least really, really sting. US Air Force research has determined the velocity of a potato fired with propane to be between 62 and 107 mph. I would think the velocity of an apple would be similar. > **[US Air Force Measures Potato Cannon Muzzle Velocities](https://www.technologyreview.com/2013/05/08/178524/us-air-force-measures-potato-cannon-muzzle-velocities/)** > > Ever wondered what fuel fires potatoes out of a cannon the fastest? The US Air Force now has the answer ---
**Author:** ![Sterling\_Archer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Sterling\_Archer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sterling_Archer)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/30 "2020-01-02T14:52:09Z")
I don’t think the terminal velocity of the Apple is high enough to do any more than a solid bump on the head. People tend to seriously overestimate terminal velocity, like the penny off the skyscraper myth. A thrown apple into someone’s head at close range would probably be about the same impact (~75 mph) An Apple shot out of a potato gun would be moving way faster. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/31 "2020-01-02T16:40:04Z")
> [@Sterling\_Archer](#): > > I don’t think the terminal velocity of the Apple is high enough to do any more than a solid bump on the head. > > People tend to seriously overestimate terminal velocity, like the penny off the skyscraper myth. A thrown apple into someone’s head at close range would probably be about the same impact (~75 mph) > > An Apple shot out of a potato gun would be moving way faster. An apple is a lot bigger and heavier than a penny. Not likely to kill you I think, but the comparison to a pitched baseball is pretty apt. The baseball is a little harder, hitting the top of your head isn’t like taking one in the face, but these idiots were looking up and could have taken one to the face with an outside chance of resulting in serious damage to facial bones. ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/32 "2020-01-02T17:30:51Z")
> [@KMS94](#): > > **I’ve shot an apple out of a homemade, propane fueled potato gun, and it punched a perfect hole through 1/2 inch plywood**. I can only imagine that would be fatal, or at least really, really sting. > > US Air Force research has determined the velocity of a potato fired with propane to be between 62 and 107 mph. I would think the velocity of an apple would be similar. > > [US Air Force Measures Potato Cannon Muzzle Velocities | MIT Technology Review](https://www.technologyreview.com/s/514636/us-air-force-measures-potato-cannon-muzzle-velocities/) Wow. What would the ballistic forensics team make out of a scene where the victim was riddled with fruit? What about frozen peas? Could one make shotgun shell casings filled with frozen peas, and then fire them to deadly effect with a standard shotgun? A lethal pea-shooter, if you will? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/33 "2020-01-02T18:17:55Z")
This brings to mind the scenario of the baby dropped from a burning building to a firemans arms, on the ground. Man, oh man that’s gotta hurt, both parties. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/34 "2020-01-02T19:24:15Z")
> [@robardin](#): > > Wow. What would the ballistic forensics team make out of a scene where the victim was riddled with fruit? They would conclude that the victim never took a course in Self Defense Against Fresh Fruit. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2020, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/35 "2020-01-03T05:50:59Z")
> [@robardin](#): > > What about frozen peas? Could one make shotgun shell casings filled with frozen peas, and then fire them to deadly effect with a standard shotgun? A lethal pea-shooter, if you will? A firearm might melt the peas. A high-power air shotgun might work. Or try bigger bullets. This covers [shooting ice bullets](https://blog.gunassociation.org/ice-bullets-shooting/). The conclusion: _“It seems pretty obvious a bullet made of ice is not really suitable for shooting. It doesn’t have enough weight to keep it from flying in a curved line.”_ Not that I recommend any of this. :eek: Now, slingshot-hunting for squirrels with frozen peas or corn kernels… when you miss, someone eats. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2020, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/36 "2020-01-03T12:32:23Z")
**A Blow To The Head From A Very Fast-Moving Apple** Isn’t this how Rene Magritte died? ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Pedant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2020, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/37 "2020-01-03T13:49:06Z")
It doesn’t appear very dangerous to me. But I’m curious about why the comparison with a fast-moving baseball resonates. WRT baseball, does anyone but the batter and catcher wear a helmet? Surely trying to catch a fast-moving struck baseball is more dangerous than a falling apple…yet I don’t recall many admonitions for fielders and runners to wear head protection. And isn’t it the case in baseball that the ball is frequently thrown with the greatest possible speed toward exactly the point where the runner is advancing? And that the runner’s focus is not even on dodging the thrown ball? ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2020, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/38 "2020-01-03T13:51:33Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Isn’t this how Rene Magritte died? I enjoyed this comment. ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2020, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/39 "2020-01-03T15:59:31Z")
> [@Chief\_Pedant](#): > > It doesn’t appear very dangerous to me. > > But I’m curious about why the comparison with a fast-moving baseball resonates. WRT baseball, does anyone but the batter and catcher wear a helmet? > > Surely trying to catch a fast-moving struck baseball is more dangerous than a falling apple…yet I don’t recall many admonitions for fielders and runners to wear head protection. Baseunners do wear helmets. Little League has required it for some time, I believe, and even Major League Baseball now does, as of at least 2018: [http://mlb.mlb.com/documents/0/8/0/268272080/2018\_Official\_Baseball\_Rules.pdf](http://mlb.mlb.com/documents/0/8/0/268272080/2018_Official_Baseball_Rules.pdf) _**3.08(a)**: All players shall use some type of protective helmet while at bat and while running the bases._ As for fielders, they are not (yet) required to do so, but increasingly, infielders do. Former MLB player John Olerud (active in the 1990s through early 2000s) was a first baseman who was well known for his “oddity” in wearing a batting helmet while fielding his position, because he’d had a brain aneurysm while in college and had been medically advised to protect his head. I’ve seen other players do the same, especially at 1B and 3B, because you know what, that medical advice about your head being important seems to be true even without a history including an aneurysm, but hey what do I know. I’ve also seen pitchers who wear helmets, including Alex Torres, who was briefly notorious for wearing a “helmet hat” while on the mound - not a batting helmet but [a highly padded baseball cap](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2014/07/23/sports/CAPSsilo/CAPSsilo-jumbo.jpg) that made him look like The Great Gazoo from the Flintstones. ---
**Author:** ![PoppaSan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/poppasan/32/189_2.png) [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2020, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600/40 "2020-01-04T07:00:47Z")
And infielders in fast-pitch softball typically wear face masks but not necessarily helmets. Pitcher, 1st, and 3rd along with the catcher. Not always SS or 2nd that I recall. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-to-the-head-from-a-very-fast-moving-apple/845600.md?page=1)