Refraction Index- Invisibility (Mary Eckel)

Author

Mary Eckel

Principle(s) Illustrated

  1. Describes the change of direction of a light wave when the wave moves from one medium (corn oil) to another medium (air).

Standards

  • Physics 4f. Students know how to identify the characteristic properties of waves: interference (beats), diffraction, refraction, Doppler effect, and polarization.

Questioning Script

Prior knowledge & experience:

Light moves in waves.

The direction of the wave can change based in the medium it is traveling through.

Root question:

Why does the test tube disappear?

Target response

The refraction index is the same for the "magic liquid" (corn oil) and the pyrex glassware.

Common Misconceptions:

The liquid is the same color, that is why the test tube seems to disappear.

The test tube disappears because there is corn oil inside.

Photographs and Movies