Disappearing Clear Beads
Beads seem to disappear.
Teaching & key ideas
What you do: Place hydrated clear beads in water.
What students see: Beads seem to disappear.
Why it works: Water and beads have similar refractive indices, so boundaries reflect/bend little light.
Question to ask: Are the beads still there?
Lesson flow
Predict → demonstrate → observe → briefly explain → ask: Are the beads still there?