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The Disappearing Glass

We see objects only when light bounces off them or bends through them. If an object doesn’t change the direction in which light is moving, we can’t see it.

When light passes from one medium to another, the light changes speed, and when it changes speed, it changes direction a little bit. The degree to which the light changes direction is called the Index of Refraction.

You can see that light changes direction when it moves from water into air – when you look into a swimming pool, people’s legs look like they’re at a funny angle. A pencil in a clear cup of water will also appear to bend.

Photo proof...but can you believe your eyes?

In this "magical" science demo, the oil and the small glass beaker have the same index of refraction. That means that light doesn’t change speed or direction when it passes from the oil to the beaker and back. Since the small beaker does not bend the light, we can’t see it!

Vocabulary:

  • Refraction: The change in direction (such as bending bending) of a wave due to a change in its speed. This is most commonly seen when a wave passes from one medium to another at an angle.
  • Index of Refraction: The degree to which light is bent as it passes from one material into another.

Objectives

  • Explain the importance of observation when doing science.

  • Describe how the index of refraction of light can explain why something becomes invisible.

Materials

  • Per Group or Demo:
    A 400mL beaker
    A 250mL beaker or Pyrex Brand glass
    Wesson™ cooking oil or Canola oil

Key Questions

  • What is happening when the small beaker disappears?
  • Why do you think the glass disappeared?
  • Why can we still see the first beaker?

What To Do

Note: Always test this demonstration first, as some glass beakers won’t “disappear” if their refractive index does not match that of the oil used.

Preparation:
Assemble the beakers and the cooking oil on a table where all the students have a clear view. Oil can get slippery and messy, so make sure to cover the surface for safety and a quick cleanup.

Instructions:

  1. Place the 250mL beaker inside the 400mL beaker.
  2. Pour Wesson cooking oil into the larger beaker, and watch as the 250mL beaker “disappears”!

Extensions

  • What do you predict will happen if you put other materials (such as a pencil or straw) into the oil? Try it and observe what happens.
  • What does this tell you about the beaker and the oil?
  • Will all kinds of containers “disappear” in the oil? Why/why not?

About the sticker

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Artist: Jeff Kulak

Jeff is a senior graphic designer at Science World. His illustration work has been published in the Walrus, The National Post, Reader’s Digest and Chickadee Magazine. He loves to make music, ride bikes, and spend time in the forest.

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Artist: Jeff Kulak

Jeff is a senior graphic designer at Science World. His illustration work has been published in the Walrus, The National Post, Reader’s Digest and Chickadee Magazine. He loves to make music, ride bikes, and spend time in the forest.

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Jeff is a senior graphic designer at Science World. His illustration work has been published in the Walrus, The National Post, Reader’s Digest and Chickadee Magazine. He loves to make music, ride bikes, and spend time in the forest.

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Michelle is a designer with a focus on creating joyful digital experiences! She enjoys exploring the potential forms that an idea can express itself in and helping then take shape.

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Michelle is a designer with a focus on creating joyful digital experiences! She enjoys exploring the potential forms that an idea can express itself in and helping then take shape.

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Artist: Michelle Yong

Michelle is a designer with a focus on creating joyful digital experiences! She enjoys exploring the potential forms that an idea can express itself in and helping then take shape.

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Artist: Ty Dale

From Canada, Ty was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993. From his chaotic workspace he draws in several different illustrative styles with thick outlines, bold colours and quirky-child like drawings. Ty distils the world around him into its basic geometry, prompting us to look at the mundane in a different way.

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Artist: Ty Dale

From Canada, Ty was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993. From his chaotic workspace he draws in several different illustrative styles with thick outlines, bold colours and quirky-child like drawings. Ty distils the world around him into its basic geometry, prompting us to look at the mundane in a different way.