Mythbusters is a show on the Discovery Channel about a couple of guys trying to disprove myths (all in the name of science). I haven't seen too many episodes, but this one was pretty good. Especially the myth about peeing on the third rail of a subway.
pcdj fx 7.1 torrentAs it turns out, human urine is capable of conducting enough current to give a person a heart attack. However, in order for the stream to remain continuous all the way to the rail, they needed to shorten the distance to only a few inches and increase the diameter.
The moral of the story? Don't wander around barefoot at the subway in the rain, lean over, grab the third rail and pee on it. Otherwise, there's probably nothing to worry about.
Don't try this at home!
Posted by mrxak at March 29, 2004 12:00 AMI saw that one, too, only because nothing else was on.
I don't think that the ground had to be wet. To me, that doesn't seem to be at all connected with being electricuted by urinating onto a railway. But I guess that's why they're on the show and I'm on the couch watching it.
Posted by: Zach Arnold at March 29, 2004 06:57 PM