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Education
November / December 2007
Double Your Money!
Put the optics in optical
illusion!
This science trick is sure to surprise your friends!
You wouldn’t believe how easy it is to make money appear… or so it
seems! Challenge a friend to double or even triple their money
using a couple of mirrors.
What You Need:
Two mirrors (the same size and shape,
if possible)
Scotch® tape
One coin
Directions:
Step 1: Place your two mirrors on
their backs on a flat surface and slide them together
edge-to-edge.
Step 2: Put a piece of tape along the seam between the two
mirrors.
Step 3: Pick up the mirrors and stand them up on a flat surface by
bending them into the shape of a corner of the room.
Step 4: Place a coin between the two mirrors and observe how many
coins you now see! Did your money double? Triple?
Step 5: Change the angle of the mirrors—bend them farther or
closer apart—and see if you can “make” more money!
What’s Going On?
When rays of light hit a surface they
bounce off again. This is called reflection. Flat, shiny surfaces
produce the best, most clear reflections. This is why most mirrors
are made of flat sheets of highly polished glass with a shiny
silver coating behind them. As the mirrors move to face each
other, you will see more and more reflections of your coin, making
it seem like there are more and more coins! If you separate the
two mirrors and place them opposite each other, you should be able
to see endless reflections of the coin!
Mad Science sparks the imagination and curiosity of children by
providing them with fun, entertaining and educational activities
that instill a clear understanding of what science is really about
and how it affects the world around them. For more information
about their Birthday Parties, After-School programs, In-Class
workshops, Pre-school programs, Summer Camps, Corporate events and
more call (727) 895-5595 or (813) 655-6643 or visit our website at
www.MadScience.org/wsTampaBay
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