Ep 7. Reverse Engineering

In season 9 episode 7 of MythBusters titled "Reverse Engineering," the hosts Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage take on the challenge of testing a variety of myths related to the engineering world. The episode starts with a myth that suggests a person can steer a bike by leaning their head and not the handlebars. To test this myth, Jamie and Adam construct a special bike with a remote-control steering mechanism to see if they can successfully navigate a course without touching the handlebars.

Next, the team tackles a myth about the ability of a car to flip over when it hits a fence post. To test this myth, they construct a moving platform on which a car is placed to violently collide with a fence post. The team uses a high-speed camera to capture the car's movement and the force of the impact. They also conduct a second test to see if the car would flip over if it collided side first with the fence post.

In the third myth, the team tests whether or not a person can catch a bullet with a pair of chopsticks. The experiment involves dropping a bullet from various heights while attempting to catch it with the chopsticks. The team tries different methods to improve their chances of success, such as adding weights to the chopsticks or using two pairs of chopsticks at once.

The fourth myth is related to the capability of a crane to lift an entire car with a magnet. The team sets up a crane with a strong electromagnet and attempts to lift a car off the ground. They test to see how the lift is affected when different types of metals are placed inside the car.

Finally, Jamie and Adam take on a classic myth about an exploding lava lamp. They set up a control experiment using a similar lamp to see if the heat from the bulb can eventually cause the lamp to burst. They then try to create a bigger explosion by placing the lamp inside a pressure vessel and increasing the temperature.

Throughout the episode, Jamie and Adam use their engineering skills and scientific knowledge to test each myth with precision and accuracy. They also demonstrate the importance of safety when working with potentially dangerous equipment and materials. It's a jaw-dropping episode with plenty of suspenseful moments as they explore the limits of possibility and the extent to which engineering can overcome even the most unusual situations.