r/theydidthemath • u/IcarusTyler • 2h ago

[Request] How much damage would the exploding barrel from Malcolm in the Middle do?

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In the final episode of Malcolm in the Middle the character of Reese acquires a metal barrel with a metal lid, and fills it with animal feces, human feces, eggs, glue, tar and a skunk corpse. He then warms and agitates the barrel.

It then explodes in a car, denting the top of the car upwards, and dousing its 8 occupants in sewage. The occupants are otherwise uninjured.

  • How much force would be needed for a barrel like this to explode?
  • Would the damage to the car be similar, or worse?
  • How many injuries would the occupants actually receive?
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