Invisible Glass with Glycerine Experiment

This experiment lets you make a glass disappear with glycerine. Try for yourself!

Equipment

• 1 large, see-through glass
• 1 small, see-through glass that fits inside the larger one
• Glycerine

Instructions

1. Place the small glass inside the large glass
2. Pour glycerine/oil into the small glass until it pours over. Keep pouring until the entire glass is covered and it looks as though it disappears

What happens?

Initially, we can see the small glass because it reflects light that hits our eyes. The light bends somewhat as it moves from the small glass through the large glass. When the small class is covered in glycerine or food oil, it becomes invisible because the light is bent the same amount in the liquid as the glass. We therefore see right through the inner glass.