The episode "" (Season 2, Episode 17) of MythBusters is a classic example of how the show tackles "movie physics" with rigorous, small-scale-to-large-scale experimentation. The episode primary focuses on two main myths: the titular Bullet Bump and the Confetti Cannon . The Core Myth: The Bullet Bump
"Bullet Bump" is often cited by fans as one of the best demonstrations of . It stripped away the cinematic glamour of gunfights to show that bullets are designed to penetrate , not to push . The episode remains a staple for physics teachers because it so clearly illustrates why Hollywood's depiction of kinetic impact is almost always exaggerated for dramatic effect. [S2E17] Bullet Bump
The "B-story" of the episode involved a more whimsical but dangerous urban legend: can a professional confetti cannon accidentally kill someone if it's packed too tightly or contains the wrong materials? The episode "" (Season 2, Episode 17) of
The build team (Tory, Kari, and Grant) tested various "shrapnel" loads. They discovered that while paper confetti is harmless, the high-pressure CO2 used to launch it can be lethal at extremely close range due to the sheer force of the gas expansion. Furthermore, if the cannon is "salted" with heavier objects or if the paper becomes a solid plug, it essentially becomes a makeshift pipe bomb. Scientific Significance It stripped away the cinematic glamour of gunfights