Physics Lesson for the Corliss Courtroom

Jen Carlson

Published Nov 18, 2008

Modified Nov 18, 2008

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Jen Carlson

Published Nov 18, 2008

Modified Nov 18, 2008

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Incase you didn't know, the Jeb Corliss case is still wrapped up in the courts. The stuntman tried to jump off the Empire State Building over two years ago, only to be thwarted by the police. Now the NY Post reports that yesterday was "Fun with Physics Day" as a NYU physics professor explained to the jury that "despite the skyscraper's 'wedding cake' shape, an object falling off the observation deck could still reach the street - if it were first propelled horizontally at approximately 10 mph." Undoubtedly, those in attendance learned a little something, as the paper notes that all in all there were more than "six hours of testimony about the interplay of mass, wind resistance and acceleration." Perhaps it also helped Corliss plan his next stunt.