what could swallowing a penny do to you?
609733
*Edit:  Pennies minted before 1982 are no big deal.  Also, if you eat really full meals for two or three days straight to expand your stomach, it should pass through the GI tract and poop out.\n--\nHere, I found you an interesting article that relates the zinc in pennies with stomach ulcers, kidney and liver issues in children.  Appartently pennies that are minted after 1982 contain high zinc content (zinc is cheaper than copper -- probably the reason), and the zinc reacts with the hydrochloric acid in the stomach to form zinc chloride.  Zinc chloride is much more corrosive than hydrochloric acid alone, and would be enough to burn through the mucous lining of the stomach.  Coupled with the hydrochloric acid already in the stomach, it's bad news in terms of stomach ulcers and possible internal bleeding.\n\nI would assume that with adults, the toxicity in relation to the kidney and liver would be reduced due to body mass.  However, I would predict that the ulceration of the stomach would be similar in both children and adults.\n\nWith the flat shape of penny, I would also assume that it is difficult to pass it through the GI tract (i.e. pooping it out).  The stomach is made out of folds, which expand to accomodate food.  A penny can easily be stuck in one of those folds, and with the corrosive nature of zinc chloride, stick itself to the walls of the stomach, burning away.\n\nAll in all... if you or a child swallows one, it doesn't pass through in a day or so, and it hurts...  it's probably time to go to the hospital.
555525
Raindrops: slightly bigger ones do hurt. The lower the cloud cover the more likely they could hurt.\n\nMy understanding is that the when the raindrops speed increases too much it splits up further. Thus the size goes on reducing and the pressure when it lands is reduced.\n\nComing back to the penny. The penny is solid and all force is transmitted directly.
1072355
Lucky it's not a crime to swallow batteries, otherwise he might get charged.\n\nI Had a friend once who stole fireworks from a shop, he then swallowed the gunpowder. The police caught him and then let him off
511221
probably puke your guts out.  it could also kill you.
307024
Wouldn't that just want to make you spit. LOL
165016
it isn't good, i believe it messes with your stomach cause of the acid or something, i've seen this question before.
381464
Only if you feel guilty after eating it. If not, it goes straight to your hips.
831881
If the bones are in your throat and they are sizeable enough, they can scratch the lining of your esophagus and cause internal bleeding. This can actually kill you. If they were small bones, I wouldn't worry, your stomach will break them down without a problem. If the bones were big, go to the ER and get an X-ray.
964724
In August, 2006 for the first time ever, the penny started costing more to make than it is actually worth. So the US mint loses money when it makes pennies because it costs 1.2 cents to make a 1 cent coin. They are made of 98% zinc, and the plating is copper (2%).\nThis is why there is currently a bill (called the COIN Act) in Congress to stop producing the penny. If that is passed, then banks will collect the pennies (in exchange for other coins or bills) and send them to the government. I think they would then melt it, separate the different metals, and sell the metal.
386617
I loved your comment on the pennies, and thought you might enjoy this story. It has made me think, and now when I see a penny I think of this story. I think that it's message is great!\n\n\nWhen You Find a Penny \n\nYou always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about. \n\nSeveral years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house. \n\nThe first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene\nknew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely. \n\nAs the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband.\n\nHe stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.\n\nArlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny\n\nHe held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny?\nWhy would he even take the time to stop and pick it up? \n\nThroughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She causally mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.\n\nA smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this? \n\n"Look at it." He said. "Read what it says." \nShe read the words "United States of America." \n"No, not that; read further." \n"One cent?" \n\n"No, keep reading." \n\n"In God we Trust?" \n"Yes," \n"And?" \n"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see\na coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting\na conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!  \n\nWhen I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change I read the words, "In God We Trust,"\nand had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message. \n\nIt seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months,but then,pennies are  plentiful! \n\nAnd, God is patient... \n\nHave a blessed day!
105870
Simple economics, if we get rid of the penny then inflation would take over. Which means higer prices on everything.
118662
Nothing.  Most people find burping disgusting, so this is probably a good thing.
164951
In the US you can't get anything for a penny anymore.  However, you can get a lot of advice for 2 cents.
841471
He was eaten by kittens that try to lock you out of your house while you are just trying to give them hugs when you are on fire\n\nSame thing almost happened to me, but luckily, i have a sore throat so i wouldn't taste good
1092781
a burp can be caused by swallowed air
944780
You can not eat something once and add 3 pounds.\nIt takes a couple of days of binge eating
125835
I read somewhere that swallowing gum is just adding fiber to your diet. So...I would say go ahead and swallow it.