Life on the Line — Season 1
A physicist puts his life on the line to prove the laws of physics
About this season
Physicist Andreas Wahl puts himself in a series of potentially fatal situations to prove a point - that the laws of physics are able to be trusted even with his life.
Episodes (8)
1. Freefall
Aired 3 January 2016 • 30 min
In the first episode, Andreas will prove the power of centripetal force using a rope, a six-meter metal pipe, a kettle bell and a tall building - with himself as the subject.
2. Grilled Alive
Aired 10 January 2016 • 30 min
Andreas sets out to prove the theory of heat transfer by taking a ride through a searing hot fire.
3. Shot Under Water
Aired 17 January 2016 • 30 min
It is harder to move in water than it is in air. To show the difference in resistance, physicist Andreas Wahl will stand in front of a weapon immersed in water and fire it - at himself.
4. Wrecking Ball
Aired 24 January 2016 • 30 min
To prove that the law of energy conservation is absolute, physicist Andreas Wahl pulls a one-tonne wrecking ball up to his face, drops it and stands still while it swings back at him.
5. Human Lightning Rod
Aired 31 January 2016 • 30 min
In the human body, the blood vessels conduct electricity the best, and straight to the heart. Physicist Andreas Wahl proves electricity goes the way of least resistance by dressing with metal and being struck by lightning.
6. Climbing with Vacuum Cleaners
Aired 7 February 2016 • 30 min
How much suction is needed to hold a man up? Using only two vacuum cleaners and two homemade suction cups, physicist Andreas Wahl climbs up a 40-meter-high glass wall.
7. Jumping with Telephone Books
Aired 14 February 2016 • 30 min
Physicist Andreas Wahl investigates frictional forces by interweaving two telephone directories, attaching one end to a bridge and the other to an elastic band, and jumping off the bridge, 70 meters above ground.
8. Flying with Balloons
Aired 21 February 2016 • 30 min
Have you ever seen a balloon seller and wondered how many balloons could lift him up? To prove buoyancy, physicist Andreas Wahl gathers a cluster of giant helium balloons and takes flight.