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Rip a penny in half

Copper coins with jagged edges held by fingers against a textured surface. Need a way to prove your strength? Only superheroes have the power to tear metal, right?

Wrong! Even the weakest nerds can shred metal with science on their side. Ripping through metal is easier than it sounds.

We have yet to discover a HowTo on getting your muscles into superhuman, penny shredding shape. However, we do have the next best solution. The secret to this seemingly supernatural feat is the zinc dissolving power of hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid is powerful enough to shred human flesh. Don't splash it around. Wear goggles, a mask, and please, don't store it in milk bottles in the fridge.

This experiment is penny specific. To be more clear, you must have a post-1983 penny. Why? In order to cut costs, the Mint started filling pennies with zinc, instead of copper.

A final side note: destroying currency is a federal crime. Don't go showing off your new magic trick to the TSA agents at the airport. Such antics could land you in jail.

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