In the spirit of this particular thread drift.....
As already stated US cents in 1982 were either copper (3.11 gm) or copper plated zinc (2.5 gm). 1909-1981 are all 3.11gm and 1983-current are all 2.5 gm.
To figure out which 1982 metal content you have, you can make a simple balance like the one shown here
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-guide-to-1982-lincoln-cent-identification.55647/But, I can drift even further. Given 11 1982 cents (all 3.11 or 2.5) and one different weighted 1982 cent (either 3.11 or 2.5, depending on which you chose for the other 11). I bet you that using such a simple balance (in this case, we don't need the post 1982 cent at all, just a balance that can discriminate the two weights by up or down)
only three times, I can determine, without fail, which cent is the odd weight and whether it is heavier or lighter than the other 11....and I never need to see the date at all.
Not enough drift?
How about lighting a red led using SilverSolder's 5 cents?
https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/penny-battery(ok, and some salt solution, vinegar and cardboard).
Anybody can drift the topic further ?
![Grin ;D](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/xgrin.gif.pagespeed.ic.QVVz6XIT20.png)
Although one could make the case that the first example is definitely mathematical and programming and the second definitely electronics, so maybe they are side drifts to other topic areas.