Ep 1. Destruction Derby Special!

In season 7 episode 1 of the popular television show Mythbusters, titled Destruction Derby Special!, the team takes on the ultimate challenge of testing myths related to high-speed car crashes and collisions. The episode begins with a brief introduction to the concept of destruction derbies, which are events where participants intentionally crash cars into each other until only one car remains standing.

The episode features several different myths related to destruction derby crashes, including whether or not it is possible to use duct tape to protect a car's windows from shattering during a collision. The team also tests the myth that a car's gas tank will explode on impact, which is a common misconception popularized by Hollywood movies.

To test the duct tape myth, the team creates a contraption that mimics the impact of a car colliding with another car during a destruction derby. They then apply varying amounts of duct tape to the car's windows and test each iteration to see how well the tape holds up during the impact. The results are surprising and challenge some commonly held beliefs about the effectiveness of duct tape as a protective barrier.

Next, the team moves on to testing the gas tank explosion myth. To do this, they construct a dummy car with a fake gas tank and strategically place sensors to measure the level of impact during a collision. They then ram this car into the wall at high speed to create a collision that simulates a destruction derby crash.

The team finds that the gas tank does indeed rupture during the collision, but that the explosion is much less dramatic than what is often depicted in movies. They also use high-speed cameras to capture the moment of impact in slow motion, providing viewers with a better understanding of what happens during a high-speed car crash.

Overall, Mythbusters season 7 episode 1 is a thrilling and educational exploration of the science behind destruction derby crashes. The team's experiments provide valuable insight into the physics of high-speed collisions, while also entertaining viewers with a series of exciting and often unexpected results. Whether you're a fan of the show or simply interested in the science of car crashes, this episode is a must-watch.