MythBusters Season 2 Episode 22 Episode 22

In season 2, episode 22 of MythBusters, the team of Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman takes on a handful of commonly held myths to test their validity. The episode features four different segments, each exploring a different idea.

The first segment explores the myth of the killer compact car. According to the myth, if a person were to be hit by a compact car traveling at a certain speed, they would be killed instantly due to the car's small size and weight. To test this idea, the MythBusters use a real car to try and run over a dummy at various speeds. Their ultimate goal is to determine if the compact size of the car makes it any more dangerous than a larger vehicle. Along the way, the team also explores the possibility of "spinning" a car through the air after hitting a ramp.

In the second segment, the MythBusters take on a classic idea: whether a person's tongue will stick to a frozen pole. To test this myth, they use a variety of different types of poles, as well as a "tongue-like" substance, to determine if the phenomenon is real or just a myth. In the process, they also explore whether warm water can be used to "unstick" a tongue that has frozen to a pole.

The third segment takes on the idea of exploding pants. According to the myth, if a person lights a cigarette while wearing polyester pants, the pants will ignite and the wearer will be set on fire. To test this myth, the MythBusters create a mannequin with synthetic hair that can serve as a stand-in for a person. Then they attach various types of clothing to the mannequin and set them on fire, recording the results to see if the myth is true.

Finally, the fourth segment explores the idea of whether it is possible to survive a fall off a building by landing in a dumpster. This myth is a popular one in movies and on TV, but is it actually possible to survive such a fall? The MythBusters use a crash test dummy to simulate the fall, dropping it off a building and aiming for a dumpster below. They test the idea with different sized dumpsters and different types of materials to determine if it is possible to avoid serious injury by landing in a dumpster.

Throughout the episode, the MythBusters use their characteristic blend of science and humor to explore these myths. They use high-speed cameras to capture the action and provide detailed analysis of their results. The team also takes some risks, putting themselves in danger to test certain ideas, such as simulating a fall off a building.

By the end of the episode, the MythBusters have explored each of these myths in detail, providing viewers with fascinating insight into the science behind these urban legends. Along the way, they also highlight the importance of critical thinking and skepticism, encouraging viewers to question the validity of commonly held ideas.