5 Magic Tricks with Engineering Behind Them
If you’ve ever seen a magician, you’re probably wondering how they perform their incredible tricks. You may think it’s magic, but it’s not! It’s simple science and engineering. In my opinion, engineering and magic are the same thing.
That’s why today, I am excited to share with you the science behind some popular magic tricks.
1. The Levitating Ring
The Trick: A ring seemingly defies gravity, floating mysteriously above the magician’s hand.
The Science: This trick uses the principles of electromagnetism. Magicians use a superconducting material for the ring and a hidden magnetic field.
When cooled with liquid nitrogen, the ring becomes superconductive, creating a magnetic field that repels the magnets underneath, causing it to levitate. This phenomenon is known as the Meissner effect.
2. The Color Changing Liquid
The Trick: Pour a clear liquid into a cup, and voila, it changes color!
The Science: This magic trick is all about acid-base chemistry. The liquid contains a pH indicator that changes color when a base or acid is added. The cup is secretly coated with a dry acid or base, so when the liquid is poured in, a chemical reaction occurs, changing its color.
3. The Invisible Fire Extinguisher
The Trick: Put out a candle without touching it — just a wave of the hand!
The Science: This trick uses the concept of gas density. The magician discretely release carbon dioxide (CO2) near the flame. CO2, being denser than air, sinks and replaces the oxygen around the flame, extinguishing it without any visible cause.
4. The Bending Spoon
The Trick: With a gentle rub, the spoon appears to bend in the magician’s hand.
The Science: This is the magic of memory metals, specifically Nitinol. This alloy has the unique ability to return to a predetermined shape when heated. By rubbing the spoon, the magician create friction, thus heat, which causes the Nitinol spoon to bend back to its remembered curve.
5. The Vanishing Water
The Trick: Pour water into a cup, and in an instant, it vanishes!
The Science: The key here is a superabsorbent polymer, like sodium polyacrylate, hidden in the bottom of the cup. This polymer can absorb many times its weight in water, turning the liquid into a solid gel. Thus, when the magician pours water into the cup, it’s quickly absorbed and disappears from sight.
