MythBusters 2019 Episodes: Science and Spectacle
Science is often about questioning the obvious and testing the improbable. In early 2019, the legendary MythBusters continued their tradition of rigorous testing, taking popular myths, movie tropes, and urban legends to the laboratory and the field. From the structural integrity of duct tape to the physics of deep space, these episodes blended entertainment with the scientific method to determine what is truly possible.
Key Facts
- Confirmed Myths: Lithium battery fires in garbage trucks, the Slinky gravity phenomenon, paper shredder explosions, and the strength of spider silk were all proven true.
- Busted Myths: Duct tape parachutes, fire extinguisher propulsion in space, and the extreme power of scrap yard magnets were proven impossible.
- Plausible Results: Air freshener ignition, domino chain reactions, and medical laser accidents were found to be possible under specific conditions.
- Viewership: The highest rated episode of this set reached 0.323 million U.S. viewers.
Detailed Episode Analysis
The 2019 series covered a diverse array of topics, ranging from household safety to cinematic accuracy. Each test followed a strict protocol to determine if a claim was confirmed (proven true), busted (proven false), or plausible (possible under certain circumstances).
Household and Industrial Hazards
Several episodes focused on the dangers lurking in everyday objects. The team investigated whether cleaning a paper shredder with canned air could lead to an explosion and whether a lithium battery could ignite if crushed within a garbage truck. Both of these scenarios were confirmed, highlighting significant safety risks in waste management and office maintenance.
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Other tests looked at more unusual hazards, such as the possibility of a medical laser igniting flatulence during surgery or whether a car filled with air freshener could be ignited by a single spark. Both were deemed plausible, suggesting that volatile chemicals and gases can react dangerously in specific environments.
Physics and Material Science
The team also explored the limits of materials. They tested the strength of spider silk against steel wire of equivalent mass and the effectiveness of sticky bug traps on humans; both tests were confirmed. In contrast, the attempt to build a functioning parachute entirely out of duct tape was busted.
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Physics was further explored through the "Gravity Busters" episode, which confirmed that the bottom of a hanging Slinky remains stationary when the top is released, and the "Demolition Dominoes" test, which found it plausible that a sequence of increasing domino sizes could eventually crush a car.
Cinematic and Pop Culture Myths
MythBusters frequently tackled the "Hollywood effect." They tested a scene from the movie Gravity to see if a fire extinguisher could propel a person between spacecraft, which was busted. Similarly, a scenario from Breaking Bad involving a scrap yard magnet erasing a laptop drive and pulling metal objects through a wall was also busted.
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Episode Summary Table
| Episode | Myth Tested | Result | U.S. Viewers (Millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duct Tape Special | Duct tape parachute | Busted | 0.323 |
| Dynamite Air Freshener | Air freshener car ignition | Plausible | 0.191 |
| Battery Blast | Lithium battery fire in garbage truck | Confirmed | 0.260 |
| Demolition Dominoes | Dominoes crushing a car | Plausible | 0.242 |
| Gravity Busters | Slinky gravity defiance | Confirmed | 0.256 |
| Shredder Explosion | Canned air shredder explosion | Confirmed | N/A |
| Flatus Special | Medical laser igniting gas | Plausible | N/A |
| Bug Special | Bug traps/Spider silk strength | Confirmed | 0.166 |
| Deep Space Hollywood | Fire extinguisher space travel | Busted | 0.161 |
| Breaking Bad Blow-Up | Scrap yard magnet power | Busted | 0.190 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a lithium battery actually start a fire in a garbage truck?
Yes, this was confirmed by the team. When lithium batteries are crushed, they can undergo a chemical reaction that leads to ignition.
Is spider silk stronger than steel?
The tests confirmed that spider silk is stronger than an equivalent mass of steel wire.
Could you use a fire extinguisher to move between spacecrafts?
No, this movie-inspired myth was busted; the physics of using a fire extinguisher for such propulsion does not work as depicted in cinema.
Is it possible for a domino chain to crush a car?
The team found this to be plausible, provided that each successive domino is larger than the previous one to build sufficient momentum.
Can canned air cause a paper shredder to explode?
Yes, this was confirmed during the "Shredder Explosion" episode, warning against the use of certain compressed air cleaners in shredders.