Ep 8. Waterslide Wipeout

MythBusters Season 8 Episode 8: Waterslide Wipeout

In this episode of MythBusters, the team investigates the myth that a person can ride a slip 'n slide straight through a glass window without any major injuries. The team sets up a giant slip 'n slide and constructs a false window with glass panes that can break safely.

Before beginning the test, the team first measures the speed and force required to break the glass panes using a dummy. With this information in hand, they then conduct the main experiment with a volunteer sliding down the slip 'n slide towards the fake window. The result is a spectacular wipeout that doesn't quite break the glass.

In order to get a more accurate outcome, the team decides to scale up the experiment and increase the speed of the slide. This time, they use a professional stuntman to go down the slide. Despite the increased speed, the stuntman still fails to break the glass. The team continues to experiment with different speeds and angles, but to no avail.

Undeterred, the MythBusters turn their attention towards a different myth involving water slides. They investigate whether it's possible for a person to be flung off the end of a water slide due to centrifugal force. They set up a water slide with a large circular loop at the end, ride it themselves, and record their experiences.

After analyzing the video footage, they discover that the centrifugal force doesn't actually exist in the way they thought it did. Rather than being flung off, a person simply slows down as they reach the top of the loop and then slides back down. The team concludes that this myth is busted.

However, there's one last water slide myth to test out. This one involves a person using a water slide as a launching pad to jump over a fence. Once again, the team sets up a water slide and creates a makeshift fence using different materials such as wood, metal and plastic.

After several attempts, they conclude that it is impossible to jump over a fence using a water slide due to the loss of speed and momentum that occurs when you hit the water at the bottom of the slide.

Overall, this episode of MythBusters is filled with entertaining experiments and unexpected outcomes. From failed slip 'n slide attempts to debunked centrifugal force, the team continues to push the boundaries of what is possible and bust some common myths along the way.