MythBusters · Video summary
Could a Fire Extinguisher Actually Stop a Flamethrower? | MythBusters
The Mythbusters tackle the age-old question of whether fire or ice is stronger by recreating a viral video of a flamethrower versus a fire extinguisher.
Watch on YouTube ↗Key takeaways
- 🔥The viral video depicts a seemingly impossible feat: a fire extinguisher neutralizing a flamethrower, sparking the Mythbusters' curiosity.00:14
- 📏Initial calculations based on the viral video suggest that both the flamethrower and fire extinguisher would need a range of at least 30 feet to meet in the middle.01:45
- 💨A standard 15-pound CO2 fire extinguisher, when tested, surprisingly projects its gaseous plume about 25 feet, close to the distance implied in the viral video.03:03
- 🔬Small-scale tests reveal that the CO2 stream from a fire extinguisher is only truly effective at close range, suggesting the viral video's premise is flawed.06:04
- 🛠️Adam modifies his fire extinguisher by increasing its size and adding a water feed to create a more powerful, fire-quenching blast of ice crystals.07:08
- ⚠️Jamie constructs a military-grade flamethrower using high-pressure air tanks, emphasizing the extreme danger and illegality of such a device.08:16
Chapters
- 0:05Introduction to the Myth: Fire vs. Ice
- 0:39Analyzing the Viral Video and Initial Calculations
- 1:59Testing the Standard CO2 Fire Extinguisher
- 5:38Small-Scale Proof of Concept Test
- 11:47Adam Modifies the Fire Extinguisher for More Power
- 13:32Jamie Builds a Military-Grade Flamethrower
- 17:19Flamethrower Testing and Safety Measures
- 27:04The Full-Scale Fire vs. Ice Experiment
- 35:28Adam's Modified Extinguisher vs. Jamie's Flamethrower
- 40:00Conclusion: Myth Busted (with a caveat)
The digest
In a world where viral videos often blur the lines between reality and spectacle, the Mythbusters team takes on a captivating challenge: the elemental clash of fire and ice. Inspired by a viral video depicting two individuals facing off with a flamethrower and a fire extinguisher, the team sets out to determine if a standard fire extinguisher can truly neutralize the raw power of a flamethrower.
The Viral Video: A Fiery Face-Off
The viral video in question shows two "hillbillies" in the middle of nowhere, one armed with a flamethrower and the other with a fire extinguisher. They simultaneously deploy their devices, and the fire and ice streams appear to meet in the middle, seemingly canceling each other out. The Mythbusters are intrigued by this apparent stalemate and decide to put the claim to the test. Before diving into a full-scale recreation, they first need to assess the capabilities of a standard fire extinguisher.
Keep reading in The Digest
The full 4-minute article, 5 more sections, and every new episode from MythBusters and the creators you follow.
- Testing the Standard Fire Extinguisher
- The First Confrontation: Small-Scale Fire vs. Ice
- Powering Up: Adam's Modified Extinguisher
- Jamie's Flamethrower: A Military-Grade Inferno
- The Ultimate Showdown: Full-Scale Fire vs. Ice
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