Many times when a magician covers an object, there is some doubt that it is really there. On today’s trick and treat, you will learn how to use a principle of science that proves something is really there even when it is not.
You all know that silver will melt if you apply enough heat to it, but in magic we sometimes use shortcuts that seem to defy the laws of science. Here is an experiment with a half dollar, a handkerchief and a glass of water. The only reason we have water in the glass is to prove that the glass really has a bottom. In order to keep the half dollar at the proper temperature, we will cover it with the handkerchief. We will let the half dollar drop into glass, now we wait while count to three and see what happens.
One, two, three, let us see what has happened to the half dollar. I am afraid we did not wait long enough—all the half dollar is doing is getting wet. Let us try again.
One, two, three and this time, the half dollar has melted away. Was this a scientific experiment? Or was it a trick? We will find out in just a few moments but now it is time for your treat.
Our experiment with the half dollar and the glass of water was both a trick and a scientific experiment. Here is how you can do it.
Hold the glass in your left hand, it should be about half full of water. You can have somebody from your audience put the half dollar in the handkerchief, but we will use an invisible one so you can see what happens. Have him hold the half dollar through the handkerchief and drape it over the glass. Ask him to drop the coin, when he does, you tilt the glass toward you so the half dollar actually hits the side of the glass and then falls into your hand.
The noise will convince everyone that the half dollar fell into the glass. Tell your helper to let go of the handkerchief. After he does this, take hold of the glass through the handkerchief and put it directly over the half dollar. Take the handkerchief away and have him look into the glass. It will look as though the half dollar is inside the glass, this by the way is where the science actually does come in—it is a principle known as the refraction of light.
All you have to do now is cover the glass again and take it away, leaving the half dollar hidden in the other hand, let anybody remove the handkerchief and the half dollar has vanished. You can reproduce the half dollar from any place you please. If you have been watching trick and treat regularly, you probably already know how to do this.
Next time on trick and treat, we will have another mystifying feat of magic you can learn. Until then, goodbye now.
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