======Light Refraction – Arrow Changes Direction======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
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**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Alternative titles:** Reversing Arrow, Glass and Water Refraction Demonstration
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Draw two arrows on a sheet of paper, both pointing in the same direction—one near the top and one near the bottom.
  - Fill a clear glass with water.
  - Slowly lower the paper behind the glass of water.
  - Look through the glass and observe how the arrows appear to flip direction.




====Links==== 
Refraction of Light with a arrow experiment - Kids Fun Science: 
{{youtube>RNjlLtFMc6U?}}\\

Cool Science Experiment! - Make a Water Lens  - Math and Science: 
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📄 Cool Light Refraction Science Experiment – Arrow Changes Direction! - Cool Science Experiments Headquarters: [[https://coolscienceexperimentshq.com/light-refraction/]]\\


====Variations====
  * Test with different drawings (letters, numbers, or symbols) to see how they distort through the water.  Words with symmetrical letters such as "TITANIUM DIOXIDE" on their side show normally.
  * Place the paper at varying distances behind the glass to explore the point at which the arrow appears to flip.




====Safety Precautions====
  * Handle the glass carefully to avoid spills or breakage.
  * Clean up any spilled water promptly to prevent slipping.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does the arrow appear to change direction?
  * How does the shape of the glass affect the results?
  * What real-world examples of refraction can you think of (e.g., lenses, rainbows, straws in water)?
  * How does the speed of light in air, water, and glass explain this effect?