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Exploding Jawbreaker

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The Myth

THIS MYTH WAS FEATURED IN...
Exploding JawbreakerEpisode 20: Exploding Jawbreaker, Killer Card, Construction Worker and Static Cannon

Original air date: 10/27/2004
Myth Title:Exploding Jawbreaker


Myth Description: When a jawbreaker is heated up,it can explode and the molten inner layers will burn you. Why?


MythBusters on the bust: Adam Savage, Jaime Hyneman, Tory Belleci (builder), Christine Chamberlain (Mythtern/Assistant)


Hypothesis: One of the middle layers of a jawbreaker will melt and expand at a quicker rate than the outside shell. Either the pressure inside the jawbreaker or the pressure on the outside from a person's mouth/teeth will cause it to explode.


Procedure/Experimental Design: A pair of metal teeth apply presure to the jawbreaker which will cause it to crack & explode.

However, they test several other methods. They mixed in some caustic soda with a crushed jawbreaker. They also mixed the caustic soda with ascorbic acid (vitamin C). One of each mixture had water added. The others were placed in the microwave. The one with the caustic soda & jawbreaker burst into flames. The caustic soda & ascorbic acid with water one had an exothermic reaction (i.e. it gave off heat). Finally, they put another mixture of caustic soda & jawbreaker into a toaster oven. They set the oven for the same temperature as the melted jawbreaker. It also burst into flames.

Testing another method, they heat the jawbreaker with the wrapper on it into the toaster oven (the equivalent of leaving it in the sun). They put it in the jaws. It did not explode. However, it become molten in the center.

Results: The initial hypothesis was correct. The layers melt at varying speeds/temperatures. Therefore, various high & low pressure zones weaken the stability of the candy ball. However, other possibilities also emerged.

Conclusion: It was confirmed before they tested. Now, we have several reasons why.


Busted or Not Busted:Confirmed (for all methods tested)
Fan Feedback

Highlights of the bust:






Best quotes by the MythBusters:

  • "Adam wants a ka-boom and he wants it now." -Robert Lee, Narrator - USA Version.




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:

  • The Mythbusters failed to explore a possible reason why a microwaved jawbreaker would explode. They showed how microwaving a jawbreaker creates a molten core, but they assumed biting the candy caused the explosion. They did not explore the possibility that licking one side of it caused uneven material contraction resulting in catastrophic failure, much the way a very hot glass pan can shatter if partially submerged in cold water. To test this potential trigger of an explosion, all it would take is to microwave another jawbreaker and lick one side of it with a pre-moistened cow tongue.


  • if they were nuking 'em until the centers melted, then all they had to do was nuke 'em a little longer, and the pressure would increase more, bringing 'em closer to explosion.






See Also

Related myths: ----

Related resources and reference pages: ----



Threads

Anonymous  (Get credit for your thread)
Started By Thread Subject Replies Last Post
luv2play Jawbreaker videos 0 Jan 24 2008, 1:29 AM EST by luv2play
Thread started: Jan 24 2008, 1:29 AM EST  Watch
Where can I get videos of people being injured by exploding jawbreakers? Thanks

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