Light Refraction – Arrow Changes Direction
Materials: ★☆☆ Easy to get from supermarket or hardware store
Difficulty: ★☆☆ Can be easily done by most teenagers
Safety: ★☆☆ Minimal safety procedures required
Categories: Light
Alternative titles: Reversing Arrow, Glass and Water Refraction Demonstration
Summary
An arrow drawn on paper appears to change direction when viewed through a water-filled glass. This effect occurs because light bends, or refracts, as it passes through different mediums.
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:
Cool Science Experiment! - Make a Water Lens - Math and Science:
📄 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?