Why Does the Image Flip?
Why Does the Image Flip?
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Jaryd Spevack
KCFS Teacher
Jaryd Spevack
KCFS Teacher
Let’s try a fun science experiment! To start, you will need a clear glass of water, a colorful drawing, and a piece of white paper.
The Experiment:
1. Place your drawing near a bright lamp.
2. Hold the glass of water directly in front of the drawing.
3. Hold the white paper on the other side of the glass. Move the paper back and forth until you see the image clearly.
What do you see? Is your picture suddenly upside down?
How it works:
It’s not magic—it’s science! Light always travels in straight lines, like tiny, fast cars that cannot turn. Light from the top of your drawing travels straight through the water and ends up at the bottom of the paper. Meanwhile, light from the bottom travels straight to the top. Because these light rays cross in the middle, the whole image flips!
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