Mythbusters: Escape from Alcatraz Part 1

This is a Mythbusters special. The myth says that there were three convicts on Alcatraz, Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers, and they built an inflatable raft from over 50 rubber raincoats.

The authorities say that they were headed for Angel Island and some of their personal belongings ended up near there. They were assumed to have drowned.

However, the Mythbusters tested their belief, which was that the inmates were smart enough to have used the tides to get to the Marin Headlands instead.

This is somewhat relevant to Physics as it plays on the principles of wind speed and direction, not to mention density. Admittedly it does not really have much to do with electricity. For that one, I am tracking down the Benjamin Franklin myth.

This is Part 1. I shall post Part 2 and 3 separately. Enjoy!




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MythBusters_(2003_season)#Escape_From_Alcatraz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZI76hEkZRE

Wet cell battery

We all know about dry cell batteries, which are the normal batteries we use for appliances like clocks, but have you ever heard of a wet cell battery?



Apparently, though this sounds ludicrous it actually is real. A wet cell battery is a battery using chemical reactions to create electrical energy. Its electrolytes are contained in a liquid.



A dry cell battery, on the other hand, has its electrolytes contained in a low-moisture past. Wet cell batteries are used as car batteries as they are inexpensive and rechargable.



So car batteries are wet cell batteries after all.



This is a close-up image of a wet cell battery and its components.












And this is a picture of an actual car battery

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-dry-cell-battery.htm

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-wet-cell-battery.htm

http://www.healingtherapies.info/images/Wet_Cell.bmp

http://www.global-b2b-network.com/direct/dbimage/50245303/Car_Battery.jpg

Would you dare to use this toilet?

This picture shows a toilet in the middle of a busy street. Would you dare to use it?

Fortunately, the "glass walls" surrounding the toilet are actually one way mirrors. You can look outside at the busy street, but people outside can only see their own reflections.


Why is this so? When the light concentration on the outside is greater, the one-way mirrors reflect the scene of what is happening outside. However, inside it is darker and therefore the person inside the toilet can look out at the street without being seen.

Be careful though: When night falls and the street outside gets dark, the toilet will become less dark by comparison. If you choose to use the toilet then, it will lead to some rather embarrassing results!

http://loscuatroojos.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/one-way-mirror-inside.jpg

Touch Screens and Gloves don't go well together

If you ever try to use a touch screen with a glove on, it will most likely not work. Why is this so? Well, gloves are poor conductors of electricity. The touch screen requires a closed circuit to function. Our bodies are also conductors, and hence when we use our fingers on the touch screen the circuit closes and the touch screen will work. However, since gloves are poor conductors, the
circuit remains open and the touch screen will not work. This is the same for using a stylus. However, it is possible to modify your gloves simply to be able to wear them while using the touch screen. The link below shows how. It is pretty interesting. Have fun!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Making-A-Glove-Work-With-A-Touch-Screen/

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchscreen#Capacitive

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone#Screen_and_input

Sticky Ice

Why does ice stick to our fingers when we remove it from the fridge? Well, apparently it is due to humidity in the surrounding air. When the surrounding air is wet and humid, your fingers are more moist and the ice will freeze when it comes into contact with the moisture on your fingers. Fortunately, on dryer days your fingers will not be wet and the ice will not stick.