The money in your pocket may disappear because you quickly spend it. Our “Science Guy” and a kid scientist show us how to use a few ingredients from around the house to make money disappear.
INGREDIENTS
· Penny
· Clear Plastic Cup
· Water
INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1: Place the penny on a flat surface.
STEP 2: Place the bottom of the clear plastic cup over the penny.
STEP 3: Observe the penny through the side of the cup. Fill the cup with water and observe the penny through the side of the cup.
EXPLANATION
When the cup is filled with water, the penny disappears. This happens because of refraction. When light bounces off of an object, it reaches our eyes and we see the object. As light travels through the sides of the glass and the water, it’s refracted and never reaches our eyes, which makes the penny seems to disappear. Click here for more experiments that might get you and your family “Hooked on Science.”
View a video of the experiment below:
Jason Lindsey is an award-winning science educator and author. Jason studied science and journalism at Western Kentucky University, focusing on general science with an emphasis in meteorology and climatology. Each year he performs hands-on science experiments at hundreds of schools and community events throughout the United States, as well as produces and hosts a hands-on science segment airing on television stations across the nation. He previously worked as a chief meteorologist, backpack journalist, science reporter and webmaster.