Have you ever seen colors disappear right before your eyes? This fun and easy science experiment will amaze kids and adults alike while teaching an important concept in physics—refraction.
Follow these step-by-step instructions to create your own disappearing color illusion at home!
Materials You’ll Need:
- A clear glass of water
- Permanent black marker
- Colored markers
- White paper
- Plastic bag (a ziplock bag works great)
Step 1: Create Your Drawing
Take a piece of white paper and use a black permanent marker to draw a simple image. A rainbow or red colour apple image works great for this experiment!
Once your outline is complete, use colored markers to fill in your drawing.
Step 2: Prepare the Plastic Bag
Place your colored drawing inside a clear plastic bag.
Now, take the black permanent marker and carefully trace over the outline of your drawing on the outside of the bag.
This step ensures that the outline remains visible while the colors disappear later in the experiment.
Step 3: The Magic Begins!
Hold the plastic bag with the drawing inside.
Slowly dip the bottom half of the bag into the glass of water.
Look straight down into the glass from the top and observe what happens to the colors.
Step 4: Watch the Colors Disappear!
As you dip the drawing into the water and view it from above, the colored portions of the image seem to vanish, leaving only the black outline!
The Science Behind It – What Is Refraction?
This experiment works because of a scientific phenomenon called refraction.
Refraction occurs when light bends as it passes from one material to another (such as air to water).
The water bends the light rays away from your eyes, which makes the colored parts of the image seemingly disappear.
However, the black permanent marker remains visible because it absorbs more light and isn’t affected by refraction in the same way.
Try More Fun Variations!
Use different colors to see which ones disappear best.
Try different shapes or letters to test if some outlines remain more visible.
Experiment with different angles when looking through the water—how does your perspective change the effect?
Final Thoughts
This disappearing color experiment is a great way to introduce kids to the concept of light and refraction in a fun and engaging way. Try it out with different drawings, and watch the magic happen!
Did you enjoy this activity? Let us know what other science experiments you’d like to see next! 🌈✨
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