6 physics magic tricks

6 Science Magic Tricks to Learn:

Science magic tricks look like magic—an effect with a secret—but that secret is based on a scientific principle or concept that makes it look like a magic trick. With the help of chemistry or physics, "magic" is "science" and "science" is "magic"!

Some of the tricks are actually stunts that are science lessons, while others are tricks that have secrets based on scientific principles. Andsstill others are simply optical illusions or exploit a quirk in mathematics.

You cansperform science magic tricks as straight-out tricks or use them as opportunities to teach scientific concepts. Either way, they're fun to learn and are sure to amaze your audience.

• 01of 06
  
  

  Steel Straw

  
  
  

  

   Steel Straw. Wayne Kawamoto

  
  

  In this sciences magic trick, an ordinary strawspenetrates deeply into or through an apple or potato. All you have to do is thrust the apparently flimsy straw through the apple.....................

  Butshow can a simple plastic straw—it may be examined before and after—become so rigid? The answer lies in a simple technique that takes advantage of air pressure and good aim. You'll know the trick but your friends won't be able to reproduce it easily.

  How to Do It

  1. Hold the straw in your dominant hand.
  2. Grasp it near the end so you can unobtrusively cap the end with your thumb and trap the air inside.
  3. Swiftly stab the apple or potato with the straw.

  Why It Works

  When the straw encounters the hard surface of the fruit or tuber, air gets trapped inside the straw. This.stiffens the.strawsso it can pierce through the flesh. Oncesthrough, the airsis released and the straw will be flexible again.
• 02of 06
  
  

  The Tube

  
  
  

  

   The Tube. Wayne Kawamoto

  
  

  The tube magic trick relies on a visual principle that warps perception and fools the brain. It's a brilliant optical illusion that encourages assumption on the part of spectators, and that's what shrouds the secret. They'll never suspect that there are ribbons or handkerchiefs hidden inside until the big reveal!

  This one is not only a great magic trick for kids but it's also an excellent craft activity. Kids can.makesthe tube outsof household materials and decorate it as they wish.
• 03of 06
  
  

  The Bill Drop

  
  
  

  

   The Bill Drop. Wayne Kawamoto

  
  

  The bill drop is more of a challenge than a magic trick, but the secret is all science, combining the physics of gravity with human physiology. To perform it, you'll ask a spectator to simply grab a bill before it falls out of reach. Despite the spectator's best efforts, the billswill always fall to the floor.

  Youscan evensmake it a bet that if they catch the bill, they can keep it. Thisecan be quite dramatic if you are using larger denominationsbills............................

  How to Do It

  1. Hold the bill by your thumb and forefinger from the top end.
  2. Have your challenger place a finger on either side of the bill near the lower end, without touching the bill.
  3. Tellsyour challenges to catch the billsbetween their fingers when it drops.

  Why It Works

  Due to gravity, an object will fall at 9.8 meters per second. The human reaction time between perceiving something with the eye and responding with action is 0.2 seconds.

  It is therefore impossible for the challenger to respond in time because the bill will fall 20 centimeters in 0.2 seconds and U.S. bills are 15 centimeters in length. The bill willssimply be sut of the challenger's reach before they cansreact............................
• 04of 06
  
  

  Vanishing Water

  
  
  

  

   Vanishing Water. Wayne Kawamoto 

  
  

  It's surprisingly easy to make water to vanish before your spectators' eyes. For this magic tricks,,,,,,,, pour water into a cup then turn the cup over. To everyone's surprise, no water will pour out!

  The secret to this trick is the basic principle of water absorption thanks to a common compound found in a few everyday items. As longsas you,don't,tells,you'll besthe only one who,knows,about it.
  Continue to 5 of 6 below.
• 05of 06
  
  

  Floating Metal

  
  
  

  

   Floating Metal. Wayne Kawamoto

  
  

  This science magic trick asks the question, "does metal naturally float on water?" When you know the secret (surface tension) and the right technique, the answer is, "Yes."

  While yoursfriends,won't be ablesto get a paper,clip to float, you will. Thatsbecause when they,drop it,into the,water, it will disrupt the surface tension. You, on the other hand, will show them how using a bent paper clip allows you to place it on the surface where it will float perfectly.

  Floating Metal trick from Tricks Wallet
• 06of 06
  
  

  The Afghan Bands

  The Afghan bands trick (or paper bands trick) is incredibly simple. Itsa classic magicstricksthatsrelies on topology (spatial relations in geometry) and a well-known concept called the Mobius strip, named after the 19th-century German mathematician, August Ferdinand Möbius.

  In this science magic trick, you make loops out of paper strips and cut them down the center. The simplescut splits theswith varying results: two separate rings, one long ring, or two interlinked rings. While it sounds rather ordinary, the results are sure to mystify an audience.