Comments on: Episode 64: More Myths Revisited

By: MSpears

MSpears — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 07:07:59 +0000

No. In the U.S., starting 2011, vehicles are required to get a certain MPG based on the vehicle’s “footprint” (which is determined by multiplying its wheelbase by its average track width). Thus, a 2012 Honda Fit with a footprint of 40 square meters must achieve 36 miles per US gallon, while a Ford F-150, with its larger footprint, must achieve 22 miles per US gallon.

However, cars and light-duty trucks are supposed to achieve 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, and 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. Even after their first overhaul in 30 years, though, there is some debate over the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) regulations, so this might change.

And as Ed says, Catalytic Converters are required in the U.S., to reduce air pollution. Unfortunately, older converters also reduce fuel efficiency (in general, the newer the converter is, the less effect it has on the vehicle’s effeciency, because of new technologies being used in new converters.)

By: LazyLemming

LazyLemming — Sun, 15 May 2011 05:15:36 +0000

The japanese were years ahead in sword manufacturing technique. The ancient masters made incredible blades.

And yet, they are nowhere NEAR as sharp or strong as legends make them out to be. Katana are by nature no sharper or stronger than other blades, other than the fact the Japanese smiths developed smithing techniques faster than the western world.

Notice how the Katana actually chipped and broke with each machine gun shot? Now consider that the bullets ARE FAR SOFTER than the barrel of a gun. That’s intentional.

If the sword struck the gun with the same force, the blade would similarly chip, and thus would be attempting to cut with a dull edge.

It will never happen people. The ancient sword masters were legendary for their time, but they weren’t magic.

By: Dart

Dart — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 12:01:52 +0000

Quite frankly I believe a steel sword can cut a lead bullet…that’s just a no brainer…like the airplane takeoff one…And yes, I do believe an ancient japanese sword folded 26,000 times interlayed with carbon could cut a mass produced army weapon barrel.

By: Dart

Dart — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 11:46:14 +0000

I have samurai swords and use them…I know this to be true. It’s well known..it’s called “bringing down the mountain”

By: Dart

Dart — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 11:37:30 +0000

Nope…they made a fatal mistake…you cannot swing a samurai sword like a baseball bat..It is NOT a machete…the curve of a samurai sword is not only due to the natural curvature of the blade due to the thicker portion on the topside it is also CRITICAL when making the cut..that is why the handle is so long. You have to pull in on the lower portion of the handle while pushing out near the upper portion to properly utilize the cutting power of the blade…otherwise you’re just a hack…literally…

By: Jack Rowe

Jack Rowe — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 06:41:41 +0000

They should have tried a Moro Kris or Filipino Kris. Accounts from Filipino-American war states that a Moro wielded his Kris easily cuts a Springfield rifle barrel in half.

By: mike

mike — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:39:52 +0000

However Geralds car cannot haul or tow anything like the mythbusters truck can.

By: bingo

bingo — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:23:09 +0000

Gerald’s car would have a catalitic converter, all new european cars have been fitted with them since the early 90′s.

So NO European cars don’t pollute anywhere near as much as the rubbish the US sells. In this case its around 75% less.

More :sarcasm:

By: Ed

Ed — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:00:42 +0000

It seems this revisit may need more revisiting. When the mythbusters decided to reduce the size of the nozzle, they needed to do additional control tests with ONLY N20. So that they are comparing apples to apples. You have say 3000psi in that tank, if you blow it out through a 1 inch opening or a 3/8″ opening you will get a significant difference in thrust. (Think of your garden hose, you have consistent pressure from your plumbing, with an open hose there is no noticeable reverse thrust on the hose, then restrict it with your thumb and notice the difference)

Like others, i’m not convinced the salami was burning at all, rather by reducing the nozzle size they were only increasing the thrust from the N2O

By: Aaron B.

Aaron B. — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:32:34 +0000

The fact that the salami was not consumed is evident by the fact that it was spread around the area where they did the test. My personal theory is that they decreased the nozzle size and increased the pressure inside the cylinder. Propulsion would be increased by the increase in pressure, but it simply forces bits of salami out the nozzle.

AN interesting experiment would be to heat dried salami in a chamber and see if you get a combustible material from it. Then use that material to fuel a small rocket.