Ep 5. Gravity Busters

The MythBusters franchise has long been a staple of science and education television. Now, a new generation is taking the reins in MythBusters Jr., a series that sees young technicians tackle myths and legends in their own unique ways. In season 1 episode 5, entitled Gravity Busters, the team takes on the laws of physics and the force that keeps us grounded.

The episode begins with host Adam Savage introducing the concept of gravity, using a drag racer as an example. He explains that when a dragster launches off the starting line, it experiences both horizontal and vertical forces - and gravity plays a crucial role in determining how fast the car can accelerate. To test this theory, the team constructs a miniature drag racing track and runs a series of trials, adjusting the weight and force of the car to see how it affects the time it takes to cross the finish line.

Next, the team takes on a classic myth: can a penny dropped from the top of the Empire State Building kill someone? They enlist the help of a high school physics class to calculate the velocity and impact force of a penny dropped from various heights. They soon discover that while a penny dropped from such a height would certainly be dangerous, it wouldn't have enough force to penetrate human skin. To add an extra layer of fun to the experiment, the MythBusters Jr. team constructs a giant penny to drop from a crane - but with a little twist.

During the penny drop experiment, the team stumbles upon another interesting challenge. They realize that if they drop a penny from a high enough height, it will reach terminal velocity - meaning it won't accelerate any further as it falls. To test this theory, they build a wind tunnel and drop objects of varying weights into it to see how they fall. The team is surprised to see that while heavier objects accelerate faster, all objects eventually reach a maximum speed - the aforementioned terminal velocity.

The final experiment of the episode puts the MythBusters Jr. team to the test. They're tasked with building a vehicle that can drive upside down on a loop-de-loop track. The catch? The vehicle can't be tethered or held in place by any external support. The team brainstorms a variety of designs, taking inspiration from roller coasters and amusement park rides. They eventually land on a bicycle-like design that places the rider's center of gravity at the bottom of the vehicle, allowing it to stay in place even when it's upside down. The team constructs a full-sized track and sets their vehicle loose - but will it hold up to the force of gravity?

Gravity Busters is an exciting and educational episode of MythBusters Jr. that shows how science and experimentation can be both fun and informative. The episode explores several key concepts in physics, from acceleration and velocity to terminal velocity and center of gravity. Along the way, the team engages in engaging and challenging experiments that push the limits of what's possible - all with the goal of debunking myths and unlocking the mysteries of the world around us. Whether you're a science enthusiast or simply love a good challenge, Gravity Busters is an episode you won't want to miss.