How to make glass completely invisible | Live Experiments (Ep 33) | Head Squeeze

Updated: November 15, 2024

BBC Earth Science


Summary

The video demonstrates an experiment where objects can be made invisible using vegetable oil and Pyrex glassware. By understanding light refraction and refractive indexes, the speaker showcases how objects disappear when placed in substances with similar refractive indexes. The use of Pyrex test tubes, water, and vegetable oil effectively illustrates this phenomenon. The final demonstration of a test tube completely disappearing in the oil showcases a fascinating application of these principles in optics.


Introduction and Materials

The speaker introduces the experiment of making an object invisible using vegetable oil and Pyrex glassware. Lists the materials needed for the experiment.

Light Refraction

Explanation of light refraction and how it affects the visibility of objects. Demonstrates how light bends off objects using a glass beaker as an example.

Refractive Index Demonstration

Demonstrates the concept of refractive index using Pyrex test tubes and water. Shows how different refractive indexes make objects visible or invisible.

Vegetable Oil and Pyrex

Shows the interesting effect of using vegetable oil and Pyrex glassware. Explains how similar refractive indexes of vegetable oil and Pyrex make objects disappear when placed in them.

Scaling Up the Experiment

Demonstrates scaling up the experiment by using a larger Pyrex beaker filled with vegetable oil. Shows how objects disappear in the oil due to similar refractive indexes.

Final Invisible Object Demonstration

Final demonstration of making an object invisible using vegetable oil and Pyrex. Shows the test tube disappearing in the oil completely.


FAQ

Q: What materials are needed for the experiment of making an object invisible using vegetable oil and Pyrex glassware?

A: The materials needed are vegetable oil, Pyrex glassware (test tubes, beaker), and objects for demonstration.

Q: Explain the concept of light refraction and how it affects the visibility of objects.

A: Light refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another. This bending of light can make objects appear distorted or even invisible depending on the refractive indexes of the materials involved.

Q: What is the refractive index and how is it demonstrated using Pyrex test tubes and water?

A: The refractive index is a measure of how much light is bent when it enters a medium. In the experiment, Pyrex test tubes filled with water demonstrate different refractive indexes based on the material inside, affecting visibility.

Q: How do similar refractive indexes of vegetable oil and Pyrex glassware make objects disappear?

A: Objects placed in vegetable oil and Pyrex glassware disappear due to the similar refractive indexes of the two materials, causing light to pass through without significant bending or distortion.

Q: What is the effect of scaling up the experiment by using a larger Pyrex beaker filled with vegetable oil?

A: Scaling up the experiment increases the volume of materials with similar refractive indexes, making larger objects disappear when submerged in the vegetable oil within the Pyrex beaker.

Q: Describe the final demonstration of making an object invisible using vegetable oil and Pyrex glassware.

A: In the final demonstration, a test tube placed in a larger Pyrex beaker filled with vegetable oil completely disappears, showcasing the invisible effect created by the similar refractive indexes of the materials.

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