Outrageous Acts Of Science Season 3 Episode 10 Urban Legends
- TV-PG
- March 21, 2015
- 43 min
In Outrageous Acts of Science season 3 episode 10, titled "Urban Legends," the hosts explore the truth behind some of the most iconic myths and legends that have emerged from the concrete jungles of urban America. They bring in some of the best scientific minds to test the validity of these tales, using cutting-edge technology and creative experiments.
One of the myths the show investigates is the classic belief that alligators live in New York City's sewers. The hosts ask the question: could these reptiles really survive in the dark, underground tunnels? To investigate this legend, the team builds a realistic sewer system in the lab, complete with water, pipes and manhole covers. They then fill the tunnels with alligator scent and monitor the system with infrared cameras to see if any alligators come up from below. The results are surprising.
Another urban legend the show tackles is the mysterious "black goo" that allegedly oozed from a highway in Texas, swallowing cars and causing traffic chaos. The team investigates what this goo could be and sets up an experiment to create a similar substance. They then test the material's reaction to various household items and determine if it could potentially cause the type of chaos reported.
In another segment, the hosts try to recreate the famous scene from the movie "Back to the Future" where Doc Brown uses the power of lightning to send Marty McFly back to the future. The crew sets up a series of elaborate experiments to see if they can channel enough electricity to create a similar effect. They use a Tesla coil, several capacitors, and a modified DeLorean to test the theory.
The show also explores the popular myth of the "burping" statue of Chicago. Legend has it that this statue can predict who will win the next presidential election based on which candidate's name it "burps" out. The hosts invite an expert on sound waves to analyze the statue's supposed burps and determine if there is any scientific explanation for this phenomenon.
Finally, the team investigates the myth that electricity can bring people back to life after death. They meet with a scientist who is developing a new technology to resurrect people who have been declared clinically dead. He explains how the technique works and the science behind it, and the crew sets up an experiment to test the theory.
Throughout the episode, the Outrageous Acts of Science team dives deep into these urban legends, using the power of science to determine which myths can be debunked and which ones might actually hold some truth. They showcase how science can sometimes be just as fascinating and mind-bending as the legends themselves, and leave viewers with plenty to ponder.