What if we told you that you can make a drawing disappear—just by using water? It might sound like a magic trick, but it’s actually refraction, a cool science concept where light bends as it moves from one material to another. In this easy experiment, kids can watch a dark drawing turn white (or seem to vanish) when water is added—no magic wand needed!
What You’ll Need:
- A clear glass or transparent cup
- A white piece of paper
- Markers
- Water
Experiment Steps:
- Make Your Drawing:
On the piece of paper, draw a colored fish using a dark marker. The bolder and darker, the better!
- Position the Drawing:
Place the paper in the ziploc and make outline of the drawing. - Fill the Glass Slowly:
Now, slowly pour water into the empty container and dip your drawing in water.
- Watch the Magic Happen:
As the glass fills with water, something surprising happens—the dark shape starts to disappear or look faded… sometimes even turning completely white!
What’s Going On?
This magical-looking effect is caused by refraction. As light passes from the air into the water and then through the curved glass, it bends in different directions. That bending distorts the way we see the drawing. In some cases, the light from the black ink is redirected away from your eyes, making the drawing appear to fade or disappear completely.
This effect is especially strong when using thick glass or curved glasses, because they bend the light even more dramatically.
Extra Fun Ideas:
- Try drawing two shapes next to each other. See if one vanishes while the other doesn’t!
Science Talk:
What kids are observing is called light refraction—the bending of light as it moves through materials of different densities (like air and water). This principle is used in lenses, telescopes, magnifying glasses, and even your eyes!
Conclusion:
With just a glass of water and a marker drawing, kids can explore one of the coolest tricks light can play on our eyes. It’s the perfect mix of science and wonder—and a fun way to turn your kitchen table into a science lab.