Ep 11. Exploding House

In season 2 episode 11 of MythBusters, titled "Exploding House," hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman investigate the myth that a propane-filled house can explode if the pilot light on a water heater ignites the gas. The duo uses a full-size, two-story house made of oak and plywood as their testing site and fills it with propane gas.

To test the myth, Savage and Hyneman first ignite the pilot light on the water heater, which causes the gas to ignite and cause an explosion. However, they discover that the likelihood of this scenario happening in a real-life setting is extremely low. They note that the house they used for testing had no ventilation or windows, and that they had used a high concentration of propane gas. Additionally, they used multiple sources of ignition to ensure that the gas ignited.

Next, the hosts test the myth that a propane tank can explode if it is shot with a bullet. They take a propane tank and shoot it with a variety of firearms, including a pistol, shotgun, and assault rifle. Although the impact of the bullets causes the tank to rupture, it does not explode.

In their final test, Savage and Hyneman investigate the myth that a radio-controlled car can explode if it collides with a propane tank. They rig a propane tank to explode upon impact and attempt to collide a radio-controlled car into it. However, the car is unable to generate enough force to set off the explosion.

Throughout the episode, Savage and Hyneman explain the science behind their tests, including the properties of propane gas and how explosions occur. They also provide safety tips for handling propane tanks and share examples of real-life incidents involving propane explosions.

Overall, "Exploding House" is a fascinating episode that explores the science behind explosions and debunks several myths about propane. The hosts offer entertaining and informative commentary throughout the episode, making it a must-watch for fans of science and technology.