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CD-ROM Shattering



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The Myth

THIS MYTH WAS FEATURED IN...
Episode Title: Cell Phone Destruction, Silicone Breasts, CD-ROM Shattering

Original air date:10/3/2003
Myth Title: ---- Exploding CDs?


Myth Description: ---- A CD-ROM will shatter if it spins too fast.


MythBusters on the bust: ----


Hypothesis: ---- That 52X speed computer drives will shatter CDs.


Procedure/Experimental Design: ---- They used a CD drive for a control then attempt to put the CD's into various tools to exceed the CD's physical limits and shatter them. In each of the experiments they create a ballistics gel dummy to test if they can kill or penetrate human skin.


Results: ---- At 52X speed, or 20,000 RPM, a CD will shatter.


Conclusion: ---- 52X speed, or 20,000 RPM will cause a CD to exceed its physical limits and shatter.


Busted or Not Busted: ----Confirmed
Fan Feedback

Highlights of the bust:

  • It can happen any time.
  • The speed of the drive can break apart a disk if it is warped, has small cracks, etc.
  • I had this happen to me.


Best quotes by the MythBusters:






Your Scientific Method

Did the MythBusters get it right? How would you have busted this myth differently? Share your experiment design for how you would prove/disprove this myth:

  • Believe me, the idea of a CD shattering in a 52X CD-ROM - NOT a myth! I'm had it happen to me with a brand-new DVD-ROM/CD-R/RW and a brand new Diablo II: Lord of Destruction game disc that had a slight hairline fracture on the very inside rim (where the optical drive handles the disc), possibly from some slight bouncing about in the case it was stored in. Within 2 minutes of placing the disc in the drive, I had to literally open the whole drive to remove all the pieces from its innards. Luckily the disc drive was still functional AFTER the event, but it cost me a good $25 to get a new CD!









See Also

Related myths: ----

Related resources and reference pages: ----



Latest page update: made by amy_c , May 19 2008, 7:46 AM EDT (about this update About This Update amy_c Edited by amy_c

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Keyword tags: breaking CD SHATTER
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Threads

Anonymous  (Get credit for your thread)
Started By Thread Subject Replies Last Post
PyroKitsune CD explodes 0 Mar 14 2008, 2:17 AM EDT by PyroKitsune
Thread started: Mar 14 2008, 2:17 AM EDT  Watch
Hi I just had a cd explode in my drive and it didnt have a crack and it wasnt worped it was in exelent condition. I had just stopped the cd then boom it exploded.
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Keyword tags: cd explode
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