Sunday, February 6, 2011

Exploding Toilet, Ice Bullet, Who Gets Wetter (in the rain)?

This episode is part of Collection 1, disc 1, episode 1. It is ALSO the first episode of Season 2.

Myths tested:
Can a person be propelled off a toilet seat by dropping a lit cigarette into a toilet bowl when filled with various combustible materials?
Is running better than walking to keep dry in the rain?
Is it possible to make a "magic bullet" out of ice?

The Science behind Ice Bullet
The main ideas here involve materials, the physics of how bullets are fired, and the amazing strength of human skin. The key questions:
• How does a gun fire a bullet? How hot does it get inside a gun?
• How strong is water ice? Can a usable bullet be made of frozen water, meat or gelatin?
• What does it take to penetrate human skin with a projectile?
Students can explore the properties of frozen water/meat/gelatin, how guns work, and human skin analogs. (This myth is revisited in Episode 14.)

The Science behind Umbrella Gun
The disguising of firearms and poisoning of bullets are the main ideas here. The key questions:
• Is it possible to disguise a gun as an umbrella?
• How can a bullet carry poison?
• Is it possible to kill someone using such a weapon?
Students can explore spy technologies, hidden weapons, poisons, and the history of the Cold War.

The Science behind Outrunning the Rain
The speed of falling rain and measuring accurately are the main ideas here. The key questions:
• Is it possible to outrun raindrops?
• How fast does rain fall?
• How fast can a human run?
Students can explore the speed of falling drops of water, and how fast humans can run. (This myth is revisited in Episode 38.)

The Science behind Gasoline Toilet
The flammability/combustion of gasoline and the strength of porcelain are the main ideas here. The key questions:
• Under what conditions is gasoline flammable/combustible?
• What does it take to make a toilet explode?
Students can explore the fire triangle (fuel/air/heat), and the durability of porcelain fixtures.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please let me know if this was helpful. If there was something you were looking for, let me know, so I can get it for you.