Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with mythbusters

Mythbusters vs. Common Sense part 2371213

tehloki — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:10:26 -0800

Why aren't cars dimpled like golf balls if it increases fuel efficiency? In the most recent episode of Mythbusters, in testing the "a dirty car gets better mileage" myth, they seem to have proven that a car which has been dimpled like a golf ball gets better mileage than a car of the same weight and general shape without dimples. I'm aware of why other aerodynamic surfaces like airplane wings aren't dimpled, but with this empirical evidence of the benefits of dimpling (and the results of other similar experiments which have surely been done at some point), why aren't the bodies of cars dimpled? Is there a scientific explanation for the lack of dimpling on modern cars or one rooted in economics (time and manpower required) or aesthetics (ugly car)?

Shoot first?

dino terror — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:59:49 -0800

In a 1 on 1 standoff with guns pointed at each other's head point blank, the hollywood convention seems to be that neither party wants to risk shooting because there seems to be an assumption that although the person has just taken a bullet between the eyes, they would magically squeeze off a shot back at the other person and kill them also. Any real-life accounts or science of what would really happen if one person just took the shot? It seems to me that it is entirely possible that if I just took a bullet in the head at point blank range that my trigger finger would twitch enough for my gun to go off also and blow the other guy's head off, but on the other hand it's just as possible that this would never happen 99 times out of 100.
Even in a standoff at a few paces distance I still think if I just got shot I would be too shocked and wounded to be able to get off a shot back at the guy, especially considering that the first shot would likely be followed in rapid succession with as many bullets as possible until it was sure that I was dead.

What REALLY makes your voice higher when breathing helium?

Enron Hubbard — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 05:35:29 -0800

There is a current FPP from a Mythbusters episode that demonstrates this effect. There is something about the explanation for it that bothers me. The reason given in the clip for the difference in sound frequency is that sound travels at different speeds in various gases. I thought sound travels faster in denser materials, which would make the Sulphur Hexafluoride voice higher, wouldn't it? I always thought the higher frequency from helium breathing was caused by the vocal cords vibrating faster because of less resistance pushing against less mass. What is the real reason for this effect?

Flick-pliers? WANT!!!

handybitesize — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:36:52 -0800

I was watching an old Mythbusters last night and Jamie had a multi-tool where the pliers sprung out like a flick knife. Not in a fold-back-the-handles way like my current one, but a spring loaded thing of beauty. WANT!!!

A Novel Method of Escape

Tube — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:45:04 -0800

Has anyone ever escaped from jail or prison using this novel method, either in fiction or in real life? As a child I remember hearing about an escape by a prisoner using string and an abrasive to saw through the steel bars of his cell. I believe the story involved the string being coated with soap, which was used to adhere powdered mortar or concrete. The improvised "saw" was then pulled back and forth against the metal bar until it cut through.

I honestly can't remember where I came across this idea, whether I was told it as historical fact by my father, or if I read about it or perhaps saw it on TV as a work of fiction.

Has anyone else heard of this? I'm not so much interested in speculating whether it is really possible or not, rather if anyone can provide any specific examples.

Advice for a self-produced low-budget mythbusters clone show?

the ghost of Ken Lay — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:25:42 -0800

Advice for a self-produced low-budget mythbusters clone show? I've been talking to a couple people about how we could do a fun homebrew DIY mythbusters clone. The long and short of it is that we have skills in the following areas computers, programming, basic robotics, rc cars, rc planes (less so), basic marksmanship, basic automotive, basic electronics (comfortable with easy directions and soldering iron), etc. We're not experts in anything really. We also do not have a lot of money to spend. Ideally each segment on the show should cost less than 200 dollars. I'm assuming the first episode will only have two perhaps three myths/claims tested. I'm also open to testing claims of manufacturers like "does the flowbee really work," "do expensive speaker wire do anything?" etc.

So I beseech the hive mind for some myths/claims we can do in a relatively safe and affordable manner. If you can attach an explanation of how to test this in this manner, that would be great too. Whimsical ones are fine too (like the flowbee). I'm aiming for a good mix of comedy and science.

Lastly, is it possible to rent high-end equipment like an rfid reader or an oscilloscope? Or some other ways I can get my hands on stuff like this without actually having to buy them?

General suggestions or advice appreciated too.

Help me find evidence concerning the deadliness of splinters

ubernostrum — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:54:12 -0800

I just watched the Mythbusters pirate special, and I'm looking for historical evidence to argue with the cannonball/splinter conclusion. (don't click through if you don't want spoilers) The myth in question concerns the deadliness of splinters thrown out by a shot penetrating the ship's hull; after testing with air cannons and a replica six-pounder, they weren't able to produce significant splinter-related injuries to the pig carcasses in use as human analogues.

Much as I'd love to argue with the methodology, it was probably the best that could have been done; finding a heavier ship's gun (say, in the 18-pound to 36-pound range seen on warships of the 18th and 19th centuries) and being able to test fire it doesn't seem likely. So I'll leave the methodology alone; instead I'm hunting for historical records which would support the threat posed by splinters and similar debris.

I've done some initial poking around in Google and found a couple promising items (for example, this description of a Revolutionary War battle lists two splinter wounds, one of which apparently proved fatal), but what I'd really like is to get my hands on some real historical accounts -- the more primary the source, the better. A really good example is this Wikipedia article, which (while being horrifically badly formatted) reproduces a British captain's official letter detailing a battle from the War of 1812, including mention of two splinter wounds. Unfortunately, if there's a web-accessible repository of these sorts of captains' reports, I haven't been able to find it.

Anyone know of such a thing, or of similar records which would contain relevant information? I know the evidence is out there, I just need to find it!

I saw a neat shirt on Mythbusters. Where can I get it?

Mikey-San — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 22:40:43 -0800

Earlier tonight, during the Mythbusters marathon, I saw various 'Busters wearing a "WARNING: SCIENCE IN PROGRESS" shirt. It had a sign with an explosion and a guy fleeing the blast. I've searched around, but have not been able to find it. Anyone know where they got 'em?

May the force sensor be with you

bluefrog — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 08:50:49 -0800

What is this handheld "force sensor" Jamie Hyneman yields in the "concrete glider" episode of Mythbusters? At some point in the "concrete glider" episode of Mythbusters, Hyneman tests the strength of a sheet of concrete using is "trusty" handheld "Force sensor" (or strain gauge or probe?). Looked a bit like an oversized electronic meat thermometer. What is the exact name of that apparatus? Looking for links to manufacturers/retailers (although these should be easy to come by once I know what to call it).

What kind of jacket does Adam have?

ShawnString — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 19:52:43 -0800

I just came back from my mom's house, where I watched several episodes of Mythbusters (I live in a cave and dont have cable so when I can I watch it) but any way our favorite mefi Adam Savage, had this really great jacket on and I would love to know more about it. Of course... It was green nylon(?) with many cool pockets and what looked like padding along the back. Just curious...

and if Adam sees this, I would have put a heavier weight on the actuator to see what happened to the bridge.

Ask the MythBusters!

yellowbkpk — Wed, 17 May 2006 16:52:57 -0800

What would you ask the Mythbusters stars? This weekend, I am attending a show where the Mythbusters stars Jamie and Adam will be speaking and answering questions. I don't think they'll be doing any experiments on stage, but otherwise I am unsure of what the event entails.

Seeing as how I'm fairly certain there will be a Q&A portion and that I have been having some difficulty in preparing questions, I thought I'd ask the MeFi community for their ideas.

Points go to questions that haven't been asked before (a google search reveals a few interviews) and extra plus good points go to questions that interest me, too! You get points because you don't know what I want and neither do I

Of course, after the show I will post the answers I can remember here.

The science of thawing alcoholic drinks - how does vodka thaw?

Grensgeval — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 16:12:55 -0800

Does thawing vodka decrease in alcohol content as it thaws? My fridge's freezer is pretty decent, as it can freeze solid my 40% alcohol (that makes it 80% proof) Smirnoff vodka.

The bottle's icey contents always start to thaw rather quickly, but after a while, when most of it is pourable, there will be content frozen against the inside walls of the bottle that defrosts a lot slower than the rest. For a full bottle, this would be an estimated 20-30 volume percent.

Am I right to assume that what is left frozen, has less percentage alcohol content than the pourable part?

There is a significant time difference in defrosting part 1 (quickly pourable) and part 2 (stays frozen long) of the bottle content.

This would mean I am serving maybe 100, 120 or more % proof to my guests.

Interesting, but for some unwanted.

Does anyone have any evidence of this? (Drunken friends, wrecked cars, illegitimate children all count).