The cast of the television series MythBusters performs experiments to verify or debunk urban legends, old wives' tales, and the like. This is a list of the various myths tested on the show, as well as the results of the experiments.
If a car falls into the water and becomes submerged, the door cannot be opened until the interior is flooded.
Confirmed
The pressure differential between outside and inside when the car is submerged is too great for a man to force the door, and the pressure must first be equalized, which means the interior must be flooded first. Adam was forced to resort to emergency air in his first test, since he expended a great deal of energy in attempting to open the door. A second test later showed it to be possible to escape the car simply by opening the door, but only by remaining calm and not attempting to open the door until the interior is well and truly flooded, so as to conserve oxygen while holding one's breath.
Having confirmed the myth, Adam and Jamie expanded on the myth to determine in what situations and which methods of escaping the car are feasible. A person can escape a car that has fallen into the water...
Myth statement
Status
Notes
...immediately after hitting the water
Confirmed
There is not enough water pressing on the door to keep it shut. Adam escapes easily.
...as soon as the water inside the car is up to one's waist
Confirmed
Adam barely manages to force the door open and is even briefly submerged before he emerges from the car.
...as soon as water covers the car window from the outside
Busted
At this point, the pressure difference has become too great. Adam is unable to escape.
They also proved that breaking the window is a viable way to escape a sinking car, if one has a suitable tool. Though breaking the window quickly floods the interior, Adam only has to hold his breath for a few seconds before climbing through the simulated "broken window" and surfacing. A person can open a window in a submerged car by...
Myth statement
Status
Notes
...using a manual window crank
Busted
Using a test weight of , the pressure of the window glass against the frame is so great that no amount of effort can move the gear. It is more likely that the window handle will be broken.
...opening power windows
Busted
Though more powerful, power windows still cannot overcome the pressure differential. Contrary to popular belief, though, power windows can withstand immersion in fresh water for prolonged periods and still function. The electricity does not short out immediately.
...attempting to break the window using a set of keys
Busted
Window glass is tempered and resistant to impact from blunt objects. Keys are ineffective.
...attempting to break the window using a cell phone
Busted
A cell phone is ineffective.
...attempting to break the window using steel-toed boots
The point of the punch can work like the tip of the hammer, and punches are sold for the purpose of breaking window glass. The punch broke the window on the first try.
The crystals inside the cover did not reflect enough light to cause overexposure and fool the camera. Also, the legality of such a device was questioned. Additionally, Adam even joked that if someone were to attempt avoiding a speed camera using this approach, it would make him even more determined to find them.
...cannot see through a lenticular lens plate cover
Busted
While designed to distort the plate from an angle, all or most of the letters of the plate were still identifiable in the tests. Also, the legality of such a device was questioned.
...cannot take a picture of a car if it is going fast enough
Busted
Neither a Dodge Neon nor a Lamborghini Murciélago was able to travel fast enough to outrun the camera. However, on the series premiere of the current format of Top Gear, Richard Hammond presented a segment where they tried to beat a British Gatso speed camera - with The Stig succeeding using a TVR Tuscan S at. This myth was revisited in season 5, wherein Jamie mentioned Top Gear and it was explained that while speed cameras in the UK require two consecutive photographs for a conviction, US speed cameras require only one. As part of the revisit, the MythBusters were able to beat the camera using a jet-powered car traveling at.
...can take a picture of a passing bird
Confirmed
The speed camera managed to catch a pair of trained peregrine falcons passing it at a speed of.
The unofficial test...
Myth statement
Status
Notes
A speed camera can be fooled if the license plate is switched while driving.
Busted
Rigging the license plate to flip before the camera shot allowed an inaccurate display of the real plate. However, this method is illegal and would most likely net a far greater fine than the speeding ticket itself, rendering the point moot.
Exploding Nitro Patches
is useful in treating heart and blood conditions, but is also an unstable explosive. The Build Team tested the efficacy of labels warning not to use a defibrillator before removing any nitroglycerin patches.
Myth statement
Status
Notes
Defibrillators can cause medical nitroglycerin chest patches to explode.
Busted
Using a homemade defibrillator that Grant constructed, the Build Team attempted to see whether the electric shock it created was enough to cause the nitroglycerin in the patches to explode. However, the defibrillator failed to detonate the patches, including reproductions of older-model aluminum-backed patches, as well pure nitroglycerin dabbed directly to the body. The team was forced to use custom, high power explosives to blow up the body.
An observer who is touching a patient who is being defibrillated can be killed from the shock.
Confirmed
In a related mini-myth scene not shown in some versions of the episode, after Grant's homemade defibrillator was certified as effective as a commercial defibrillator using an oscilloscope, the Build Team had a second ballistics gel dummy with voltage paddles in its chest touching the dummy representing the patient while the patient dummy was defibrillated. The oscilloscope reading showed a peak of 13 milliamps worth of current when 6 milliamps across the heart are considered enough to kill someone.
Episode 74 – "Dog Myths"
Original air date: March 14, 2007
Old Dogs, New Tricks
Following the old saying, Jamie and Adam see if they can teach an old dog new tricks.
Myth statement
Status
Notes
You can't teach old dogs new tricks.
Busted
With the help of professional dog trainers, Adam and Jamie were both able to teach two old dogs sitting, heeling, staying, shaking hands, and lying down. However, Cece was the more obedient of the two dogs as Bobo had trouble staying.
Beat the Guard Dog
The Build Team tries to distract and get around a guard dog by...
Myth statement
Status
Notes
...distracting it with a steak
Plausible
The guard dog was distracted by smelling and eating the steak long enough for Kari to reach her goal. However, once the dog was finished, it attacked the intruder.
...acting submissive
Busted
Grant crawled on his hands and knees, but the dog attacked without hesitation.
...acting aggressive
Busted
Tory yelled and waved his arms, but the dog attacked without hesitation.
The scent was sprayed on the intruder, but the dog attacked without delay.
...using the scent of wolf urine
Plausible
Initially, the dog did not attack, but instead sniffed the intruder. Eventually, it did attack before the intruder could move very far. Grant theorized that if they covered themselves in wolf urine, they may survive.
...using the urine of a bitch in heat
Confirmed
The scent was put on a cloth and dragged along the ground of the fence. The dog followed and licked the scent while the intruder sneaked in, reached the goal, and returned safely.
Afterwards, the team tried to invent ways to get past Eewan.
Task
Status
Notes
Grant built a remote-controlled cat puppet to serve as a distraction.
Failed
The guard dog was initially distracted; however, because of bad controlling, the decoy and the thief crossed paths and eventually caused the guard dog to turn its attention to the intruder.
Tory crawled along the ground inside a barrel with wheels.
Failed
The dog first tried digging for the intruder, but eventually figured out how to grab one of the wheels for leverage and get at Tory. The experiment was stopped before any risk of injury.
Kari built a human-sized hamster ball covered in plastic wrap.
Partially Successful
Kari was able to roll her way to the goal and back, but she was not able to get out of the ball without the dog attacking her.
Overall, while a few methods managed to work, the guard dogs can be specifically trained to ignore certain distractions. Thus, overall, this myth was considered only plausible.
The MythBusters see what it takes to shake a scent hound. A Bloodhound can be deterred by...
Myth statement
Status
Notes
...zig-zagging and doubling back
Busted
Within minutes, the dog found Adam's scent.
...running through water
Busted
The dog found Adam, as well, and water can even help the dog find people.
...covering the floor with pepper
Busted
The dog went to the area covered with pepper for a little while, before going back to Adam.
...cleaning old clothes and changing into new ones
Busted
The dog found Adam, but only after being distracted by the concentrated smell where the clothes were cleaned.
...covering oneself with cologne/coffee
Busted
Both the cologne and coffee were ineffective.
...making an urban maze with many more smells
Plausible
Unlike the other runs, Morgan the Bloodhound was confused by the other smells around him. His trainer had to take him back to the start and try again. The dog only found Adam after 90 minutes of wandering around, and had taken a different path than Adam. The reason is that Morgan had not yet been trained to deal with urban tracking. However, some bloodhounds are specifically trained to work in urban environments, and the MythBusters pointed out various recorded instances of scent dogs successfully tracking targets in dense urban areas.
Conclusion
Episode 75 – "More Myths Revisited"
Original air date: March 21, 2007
This is the sixth episode in which earlier myths are retested.
This was the first episode in which all myths shown on television were confirmed.
Exploding Tire of Death
Drafting For Money
Knight Rider Ramp
Cyclists Drafting a Big Rig
Episode 81 – "Grenades and Guts"
Original air date: June 13, 2007
Self Hypnosis
The Build Team tested whether self-hypnosis could...
Myth statement
Status
Notes
...cure seasickness
Busted
Grant, who is susceptible to seasickness, volunteered to test self-hypnosis to see whether he could overcome his condition. As a control, he was put into a chair that helped induce seasickness while Tory and Kari kept track of how long it would take for him to vomit. Grant then used a self-hypnosis CD to try to cure his sickness. After his self-hypnosis session, Grant went back to the chair, but still succumbed to his sickness, although it took twice as long.
...change eye color
Busted
Kari first went to an eye center to obtain a control photo of her eye color. She then underwent a self-hypnosis session in an attempt to change her physical eye color. However, when she went back to the eye center to have her eyes analyzed, the results showed no change in eye color.
Because Tory had no real issues that could be resolved through self-hypnosis, the Build Team instead brought Adam and tried to cure him of his irrational fear of bees. For the control test, they measured Adam's heart rate and physical stress levels when he was shown a box full of bees and had to put his hand inside of it. After going through his self-hypnosis session, Adam retook the test. During the retest, Adam showed the same amounts of fear and physical stress as the control test, showing he still possessed his fear.
Though the Build Team only tested self-hypnosis in several specific cases, because of the results, they deemed that the overall myth of self-hypnosis was busted.
Diet Coke & Mentos II: Exploding Stomach
Hand Grenade Hero
This myth was based on various Hollywood depictions of how heroes would dispose of triggered grenades to save their comrades. The MythBusters tested whether a hero could save his buddies by...
Myth statement
Status
Notes
...covering the grenade with his own body
Confirmed
During the control test, the MythBusters detonated a grenade with no obstacles with several plywood dummies around it at varying distances. The shrapnel inflicted lethal injuries on most of the dummies. For the actual test, the MythBusters planted a ballistics gel dummy over the grenade before detonating it. While the ballistics gel dummy was completely destroyed, only one of the plywood dummies suffered any severe damage, and the damage caused was not lethal. While the hero would undoubtedly die in the attempt, he would be able to save his comrades nearby, as also described in dozens of Medal of Honor citations.
...placing the grenade in a bucket full of water
Confirmed
The MythBusters placed a grenade in a bucket full of water, in hopes that the bucket would slow down the shrapnel enough to inflict no harm on the plywood dummies. However, there were fears that the bucket would in fact contribute to the damage by being turned into shrapnel itself. After the test, only one of the dummies suffered lethal damage, but still significantly less shrapnel damage occurred than the control test. Though not perfect, one advantage to this method is that the hero does not have to sacrifice himself.
...throwing the grenade inside a refrigerator. This particular myth was based on a scene in Monk episode "Mr. Monk and the Election".
Busted
The MythBusters obtained a refrigerator and placed it in the middle of a group of the dummies. They then placed a grenade inside it and detonated it. The refrigerator was literally turned into a giant fragmentation grenade as also happened in the original episode. Unlike the episode, however, where the fridge absorbed the explosive force enough to leave bystanders unharmed, the flying debris from the MythBusters' test destroyed the dummies immediately in front and behind of the refrigerator, though standing to the sides seemed safe. The MythBusters agreed that putting a grenade in the refrigerator was not a good idea.
Before the above experiments, Adam tested a mini myth:
Myth statement
Status
Notes
It is possible to pull the pin out of a grenade using one's teeth.
Busted
Adam tried it and failed. It takes to pull the pin by hand, enough force to either break or uproot teeth.
Episode 82 – "Snow Special"
Original air date: June 20, 2007
The following myths state that an avalanche can be caused by...
While the small-scale experiments indicated that aimed at the right place, an amplified voice can set off an avalanche, in the final test, no amount of yodeling by a professional yodeler could elicit a response. The yodeler was provided with a megaphone, but again, no avalanche took place.
Adam theorized that the miniature sonic boom caused by the cracking of a whip could trigger an avalanche, but no avalanche took place.
...submachine gun fire
Busted
This myth was started with stories of World War I soldiers setting off avalanches in heavily snowed-in areas with their artillery, thus using them as environmental weapons. Adam and Jamie attempted to test if lower-powered weapons, such as machine guns, could also cause an avalanche. They tested this with a pair of MP5s, though they could not cause an avalanche to start.
Despite the "busted" designation, Jamie emphasized that avalanches are "finicky beasts" and cases of skiers unintentionally setting them off have been noted. Therefore, it is impossible to tell exactly what will trigger an avalanche.
This episode featured Roger Clemens as a guest star in a short segment explaining the physics behind different pitches.
Corked Bat
Humid Balls
Rising Fastball
The Slide
Hitting the Hide Off a Ball
Episode 84 – "Viewers' Special"
Original air date: August 15, 2007
Viewers will pick myths they think need to be tested and the MythBusters will pick the best to test.
Eye-Popping Sneeze
Stopping a Car in Reverse
Killer Butts
Car Remote Capers
Car Explosion
Stopping a Blade
This was an online-only special. The Build Team also tested if one could prevent an opponent's sword from piercing the chest with...
Myth statement
Status
Notes
...a hardcover Bible
Confirmed
The team did not use a Bible for religious reasons, so a hardcover book was used, and was able to prevent a sword being thrust at human strength and speed from piercing the pig's flesh.
...a bunch of coins
Busted
The coins merely deflected the blow to another part of the body.
Episode 85 – "Red Rag to a Bull"
Original air date: August 22, 2007
Hot Bullets
Jamie and Adam investigated myths inspired by reports of gun owners attempting to use their ovens to store guns and ammunition since a proper gun cabinet isn't available - and then running into trouble if they forgot to remove the guns and ammo before using the oven.
Myth statement
Status
Notes
An oven door can stop bullets.
Busted
The oven door failed to stop.38-caliber rounds,.357-magnum rounds, and shotgun shells. The only exception was the.22-caliber pistol rounds were unable to pierce the steel part of the oven door.
Cartridges can explode with lethal force if they are stored inside a hot oven.
Busted
.22-,.44-, and.50-caliber cartridges were places inside an oven. All of the cartridges exploded once the oven was hot enough, but none of them was able to penetrate the oven. Without a gun barrel to contain and direct the propellant gases, the bullets did not develop enough speed to pierce the glass or steel portions of the oven. The cartridge casings actually caused more damage than the bullets.
A gun can fire a bullet with lethal force if stored inside a hot oven.
Confirmed
For the absolute worst-case scenario, Adam and Jamie placed a loaded.38-caliber revolver inside a hot oven pointing towards the oven door. Once the temperature was high enough, the gun spontaneously discharged and sent the bullet out of the oven and deep into a calibrated plywood/soundboard backstop, meaning it could possibly kill anybody who happened to be standing in front of the oven.
Cartridges thrown into an open fire can explode with lethal force.
Busted
Using a robot, Jamie dropped a box of cartridges with varying calibers directly onto a campfire. While many of them immediately discharged, it appeared that none of the bullets could be lethal. Like the oven test, most of the damage was being dealt by the cartridge casings, which could not travel fast enough to be lethal. However, they determined the bullets could cause many non-lethal injuries.
Campfire Chaos
While their fire that they used to test bullets on an open fire was still going, Adam and Jamie took the opportunity to test the danger and lethality of other containers or pressure vessels when placed into a fire.
Myth statement
Status
Notes
Aerosol cans placed in an open fire can explode with lethal force.
Busted
While the aerosol cans exploded rather violently, the worst damage they could do was cause burns. Adam also joked that it would be another way that one could lose an eyebrow like he famously did in "Cell Phone Destroys Gas Station".
A beer keg can explode with lethal force if placed in an open fire.
Plausible
Getting the keg into the fire proved to be difficult at first as the full keg was too heavy. Adam figured that once the keg was light enough, the keg could be tossed in. While the beer keg exploded violently, there was no shrapnel from the explosion. However, the MythBusters pointed out that any shrapnel thrown from such a powerful blast could kill a person. Jamie also joked that it would be a waste of beer.
A fire extinguisher will explode with lethal force if placed in a fire. This myth is shown only on the Discovery website.
Busted
Though fire extinguishers are capable of killing a person if the cylinder is punctured, they will not explode when put in a fire due to a built-in safety feature. Newer extinguishers have a release valve which blows out if the cylinder's pressure limit is exceeded. After a while in the fire, the release valve was triggered by increased pressure and the carbon dioxide was released safely.
Red Rag to a Bull
Bull in a China Shop
Episode 86 – "Superhero Hour"
Original air date: August 29, 2007
Grappling Hook
Ring Punch
Phone Booth Quick Change
Vehicle Grappling Hook
Episode 87 – "Myth Revolution"
Original air date: September 5, 2007
The MythBusters revisit several past myths with a special twist. This time, they are exploring several side myths that they had missed while testing the main myths.
Swatting a Bullet
Thumbs Over the Airbag
Exploding RFID Tags
Breathing Through a Tire
Beating the Speed Camera
Fans complained about inconsistencies in the first speed camera tests, which prompted the MythBusters to revisit the tests so if a speed camera were from the ground, it can be beaten by...
Myth statement
Status
Notes
...a magnified cover
Re-Busted
The magnified cover partially obscured the license plate from the higher-angle camera, but not enough to deter a ticket; only one character was obfuscated.
...a reflective cover
Re-Busted
The reflective cover failed to obscure the license plate.
...commercial spray
Re-Busted
The commercial spray failed to obscure the license plate.
...pure, raw, unadulterated speed
Confirmed
Acknowledging the success of Top Gear, which Jamie referred to as "a car show in the UK" in beating the speed camera, the MythBusters obtained a race car dubbed "The Beast", which used a jet engine that could propel it speeds of up to. In the first run, The Beast hit and managed to pass the camera so fast that it never took a picture. In the second run, the speed camera was slightly modified to account for the increased speed, but still failed to take a picture of The Beast, which traveled faster than the first run. Even though the speed camera was beaten, the MythBusters pointed out that only specialized cars like The Beast could achieve those kinds of speeds and would therefore be very easy to find by the authorities.
Snow Rescue
Episode 88 – "Trailblazers"
Original air date: October 31, 2007
Adam and Jamie get on the trail of some flammable Hollywood fables while Kari, Grant and Tory break out the defibrillator for some electrifying action.
Vapor Trail
Gunpowder Keg
Shocking Defibrillator
In these two myths, the team tests whether a defibrillator can burn someone if the electricity arcs with...
The bra did cause a burn, but only when the wire was exposed and the paddles were placed very close to the exposed wire. This would not be likely in normal circumstances, as the paddles would never be placed so close together and medical staff are trained to remove possible obstructions before using a defibrillator.
The nipple piercing did cause a severe burn, but only when the paddles were placed very close to the piercing. This would also not be likely in normal circumstances; see above.
A defibrillator can jump start a car
Busted
The high voltage generated by the defibrillator was enough to destroy the car's starter motor, rendering it immobile.
Episode 89 – "Exploding Water Heater"
Original air date: November 7, 2007
Exploding Water Heater
Blue Jean Myths
The Build team tested two myths that revolved around denim jeans.
Myth statement
Status
Notes
If a person is being dragged by a horse, the friction caused by the movement will make the jeans catch fire.
Busted
Wearing full body padding and a denim shirt and jeans, Tory allowed himself to be pulled along the ground by a horse. While the movement and friction did increase the surface temperature of the jeans, it was not enough to cause the jeans to combust. The Build Team then moved the experiment into the lab, where they simulated the friction caused by being dragged by a horse with a power sander. However, when they applied the jeans to the power sander, the jeans were torn apart before they could combust. The Build Team then agreed that friction alone cannot make jeans catch fire.
Shrinking jeans while wearing them in a hot bath for six hours can kill a person.
Busted
The theory behind this myth is that if a person wore a pair of jeans and sat in a hot bath intending to shrink them to fit, the shrinking jeans can cut off blood circulation to the legs which can cause a lethal clot or require the legs to be amputated. The Build Team experimented with a pair of ballistic gel legs with tubes running through it simulating blood vessels. They then covered the legs in jeans and put it in a hot bath for six hours, but found no change in blood flow. They then had Grant wear a pair of blue jeans and had him sit in a hot bath for six hours. During the experiment, Grant was continually monitored by a medical expert and by the end of the six hours, he was declared healthy and in no risk of death. The Build Team decided the myth was busted, but reminded the audience that blood clots and cutting off blood circulation are very real dangers and should not be taken lightly.
Episode 90 – "Special Supersized Myths"
Original air date: November 14, 2007
This episode was "dedicated to Mr. Wizard", Don Herbert, known for his Mr. Wizard science programs, which ran from 1951 to 1990. It ran for 2 hours.
Supersize Shark
The MythBusters tested the following myths involving great white sharks.
Myth statement
Status
Notes
Sharks can hunt by feeling low-frequency sound waves transmitted through water.
Busted
The MythBusters traveled to the waters of South Africa where great white sharks are abundant, and placed underwater speakers in the water. After transmitting sounds at various frequencies ranging from 40–100 Hz and even resorting to high-frequency sound, the MythBusters failed to attract any sharks. Though they did attract one shark when using a high-frequency sound, this was deemed to be a false positive caused by Jamie's presence in a shark cage, and when it was retested without Jamie being in the water, no sharks were attracted.
The presence of dolphins can deter sharks from attacking their prey.
Plausible
This myth was born from the stories of dolphins protecting shipwrecked sailors from sharks. The MythBusters built an animatronic replica of a dolphin and took it to the shark-infested waters of South Africa. They tested the waters by throwing in a seal-shaped lure to have it attacked by a great white shark barely five seconds after it hit the water. They then placed the fake dolphin in the water with the lure. The sharks approached the lure, but when they saw the dolphin, opted not to attack. The MythBusters replaced the lure with actual bait, but the results were the same, and the sharks appeared reluctant to attack. However, once they removed the dolphin, the sharks immediately began attacking the lures and bait again. With these results and with plenty of anecdotal evidence, the MythBusters decided that the myth was plausible.
Supersize Jet Taxi
This is a retest of the old Jet Taxi myth, because the MythBusters were unable to obtain a full-sized plane and fans both complaining and mentioning the BBC automotive show Top Gear test of the myth. This time, the Build Team tests if the engines of a Boeing 747 can flip:
Myth statement
Status
Notes
...a taxi
Confirmed
The Build Team obtained a taxi and towed it across the rear of the 747 as it was powering up for takeoff. The moment the taxi crossed the engine exhaust, it was lifted into the air and flipped several times, completely demolishing the vehicle.
...a school bus
Confirmed
Like the taxi, the team towed the school bus across the path of the 747 engine exhaust. Also like the taxi, the school bus was lifted off the ground; it rolled 1½ times and was completely demolished.
...a small airplane
Confirmed
Like the taxi and school bus before it, the airplane was thrown into the air and suffered significant damage when it crossed the path of the 747 engine exhaust.
Supersize Rocket Car
This is a spinoff from a previous myth, the JATO Rocket Car. This time, the MythBusters are testing for the results, not the circumstances. Former Build Team member Scottie Chapman makes an appearance in this segment.
Myth statement
Status
Notes
A Chevy Impala with rockets can move fast enough to achieve flight.
Appropriately Supersized
The MythBusters started with small-scale tests, and determined their old JATO configuration was not suitable for the myth, because the top-mounted rockets caused the car to veer off course. Instead, they opted to mount the rocket tubes inside the trunk of the car to achieve a more stable trajectory. They then obtained a Chevy Impala and made the necessary modifications to accommodate the rockets. To ensure the car would get into the air, the MythBusters set up a ramp built from two shipping containers. However, when they started the actual test, the car and the rockets exploded, completely destroying the car before it could even leave the ramp. Because none of the central questions of the myth was answered despite the care and expertise that had gone into the test, the MythBusters had trouble deciding what to call the myth. In the end, they agreed that the myth was "Appropriately Supersized".
The milk was used as a control, because it is already proven to reduce discomfort due to the fats it contains. Grant and Tory used the milk as a measuring stick for the rest of the supposed cures.
...water
Busted
The water did not perform as well as the milk, because the discomfort immediately returned once the water left the mouth.
...beer
Busted
The beer helped slightly, but was still not very effective.
The tequila initially intensified the discomfort, but when the alcohol kicked in, the numbness induced by it slightly lessened the pain. However, it still was not very effective.
Grant reacted violently to the wasabi, stating it only made his discomfort worse, but Tory stated he actually felt some relief. However, it still was not effective as milk.
Elephants Scared of Mice
Episode 92 – "Pirates 2"
Original air date: November 28, 2007
In this episode, the MythBusters test several myths based on scenes from the film and other pirate movies.
Rowboat Submarine
Buried in Sand
Cannonball Chaos
Adam and Jamie tested several cannonball myths involving improvised cannon ammunition and whether they are lethal or not. Using a Civil War-era cannon nicknamed "Old Moses" that had been used to help test "Cannonball vs. Shrapnel" on the first Pirate Special, the MythBusters fired various improvised materials that would be found on a period pirate ship at dead pigs to test their lethality. Some of these improvised cannonballs include...
The glass shattered and the rum vaporized during the firing, leaving only small bits of glass to hit the target. Aside from minor superficial damage and the smell of rum, glass rum bottles are harmless.
...cutlery
Busted
The cutlery did not cause any noticeable damage. All of the projectiles were spread too far out and lacked the force to cause any lethal damage.
...steak knives
Plausible
Because they were placed in a container, the steak knives were all pointing forward and had their direction set. This allowed them to hit the target, causing serious cuts and lacerations.
...a peg leg
Busted
When fired, the peg leg was completely destroyed, leaving no visible trace except for wood chips.
...nails
Plausible
The sharp, heavy nails caused almost as much damage as the grapeshot, tearing through the target with relative ease. Adam likened the effect to that of a needlegun.
...chains
Confirmed
The long, heavy chain remained intact and did the most damage to the target, almost ripping it in half.
During the commercial break, the MythBusters tested this myth as a promo for their upcoming MacGyver special.
Myth statement
Status
Notes
A person can break a light bulb using drain cleaner shot out of a spray bottle.
Confirmed
The drain cleaner caused a thermal shock in the hot glass of the light bulb, causing it to shatter. This concept was also demonstrated during the Lethal Lava Lamp myth, when Grant successfully caused a lava lamp to explode by spraying it with water.
During the commercial break, the MythBusters tested this myth as a promo for their upcoming MacGyver special.
Myth statement
Status
Notes
A person can "repair" a fuse box by wrapping a burnt-out fuse with a metal foil gum wrapper.
Confirmed
The metal in the shiny part of the gum wrapper acts as a replacement conduit for the burnt-out fuse, allowing the circuit to be re-established when replaced. However, this makeshift replacement may not burn out under excess current like a proper fuse does. Many houses have caught fire because of makeshift replacements for blown electric fuses.
The MythBusters test three skydiving myths based on a scene in the film Point Break.
Myth statement
Status
Notes
A person can free fall for over ninety seconds from a height of.
Busted
The Build Team dropped a Simulaid from a plane at a height of 4000 ft and measured the time it took for it to hit the ground. They timed the total free fall time at just 31 seconds, which would make the 90-second free fall scene in the movie impossible, especially considering the additional time needed to account for parachuting was not factored in.
Two people can have a conversation with each other while in free fall.
Busted
To test this myth, Grant skydived out of a plane. A skydiving instructor was to approach Grant while he was free falling and then attempt to say to Grant, "Grant, if you pull my finger, you will hear a tuba." During the free fall, the instructor yelled the phrase multiple times, but Grant could not hear him because the sound of the air rushing past drowned out his voice. The Build Team concluded it was impossible to have a conversation in free fall.
By streamlining their bodies, people can catch up to other people in tandem free falling at terminal velocity in the skydiving position with a 15-second head start from.
Confirmed
The Build Team first performed several small-scale tests using wind tunnels, and demonstrated that objects with a greater surface area do, in fact, have a slower terminal velocity than objects with equal mass but smaller surface area. For the full-scale test, Tory, while in tandem with another sky diver, jumped out of a plane and assumed the skydiving position. Nick, a professional skydiver, gave Tory and the sky diving instructor a fifteen-second head-start and jumped out of the plane after him and assumed a streamlined posture. Twenty seconds after leaving the plane, Nick closed the distance between himself and Tory and passed Tory just as he was deploying his parachute. With such definitive results, the Build Team declared the myth confirmed.
MacGyver Mini Myth
During the commercial break, the MythBusters tested this myth as a promo for their upcoming MacGyver special.
Myth statement
Status
Notes
A person can stop a sulfuric acid leak with chocolate and hot water.
Confirmed
Grant and Kari demonstrated that the myth was possible, showing that the sugars in the chocolate reacted with the acid to form a plastic mass that plugged up the leak.
