How many times have we heard, "Don't talk on your phone when you're pumping gas?" Too many times to count, right? Well, guess what? It's not true! You can safely talk on your cell phone while you're pumping gas and you won't blow up the whole gas station! Let's find out why...
There’s a little show I love to watch, it’s called MythBusters. Most of you probably haven’t heard of it! Oh wait, you have? HA HA…just kidding! Of course, EVERYONE knows about MythBusters. I think it's a great show and I’ve learned a lot watching their episodes.
Here is just one of my faves:
Penny Drop from the Empire State Building
Bottom line…it all relates to terminal velocity. Yes, the penny’s weight remains the same, however, the weight appears to increase simply because of the increase in speed on the way down. Of course, taking into consideration the height that the penny is dropped from, the speed increases exponentially which creates an impact that would appear to be that of a one-ton car or heavier.
After reviewing the article cited below of Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman who are the hosts of "Mythbusters," on the Discovery Channel Network, I was very intrigued by their deduction of and informative response to the myth about cell phones and the blowing up of gas stations. What I learned was that it isn’t necessarily about any one of us talking on our phone while pumping gas, but more importantly what we naturally do “while” pumping gas and talking on the phone. For example, if you are Italian, like me, you talk with your hands. No matter if I’m on the phone or having a conversation in person, my hands are naturally moving the whole time I’m talking. You might ask, “How does that have any impact on blowing up a gas station?” Well, let’s dissect that a little further.
What are we doing when we are talking and moving our hands? Any ideas?
Two words…wanna’ play Hangman???
By Creating _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Give up?!?
Okay, here’s the answer: by Creating STATIC ELECTRICITY.
Yes! You guessed it! By creating static electricity, which happens naturally when we are moving. Our car then becomes the conductor of that electricity, which will create a “spark” of electricity.
One little spark can create a fire!”
This stands true for electricity as well. That little spark of electricity can create enough of a spark to cause a fire. Which in turn, can ultimately blow up a gas station.
Without even recognizing it, our natural human movements and traits can lead to our downfall.
Ways to be Proactive in stopping this: Be mindful of your surroundings. Be on the watch for others and their actions. Be aware and watchful to help stop a catastrophe before it happens!
I learned a lot through this research and information, I hope you have too. Just knowing myself and my style of communication, I will avoid being on the phone during times when I’m getting gas, just to avoid the temptation of creating a spark that comes so naturally for me!
You can read the full article about Adam and Jamie's outcome of gas station and cell phones here:
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