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This is a quick activity/demonstration that introduces learners to the concept of index of refraction. Learners place stirring rods in a jar of water and notice they can see them clearly. They will be surprised when they place the stirring rods in a jar of vegetable oil and the rods appear practically invisible! This is a dramatic demonstration that effectively illustrates how light can bend and fool the eye. [Activity is publicly available through a web crawler capture on Archive.org.]
- Under 5 minutes
- Under 5 minutes
- 1 cent - $1 per group of students
- Ages 8 - 18
- Activity, Demonstration
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Four or more Pyrex glass stirring rods
- Two clear plastic or glass containers (like 16 ounce mason jars)
- One container of Wesson Vegetable Oil
- Tap water
Subjects
-
Life Sciences
-
Human Senses and Perception
- Vision
- Perception
-
Human Senses and Perception
-
Physical Sciences
-
Vibration and Waves
- Light and Optics
-
Light and Optics
- Reflection and Refraction
-
Vibration and Waves
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
-
The Scientific Process
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- All rights reserved, Little Shop of Physics, 2009