| DIY Illusions |
| You can try all of the illusions below in your own home or use them as party tricks. However, they're even better for showing to your friends so they can be amazed as well. |
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| This first illusion requires nothing but your fingers. Place the tips of your index fingers together and focus on an object about one metre away (as shown in the diagram opposite.) If you do this correctly you should see a little 'sausage' between your two fingers. If you move your fingers slightly apart the 'sausage' will float in mid-air. |
| The Little Sausage |
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| Hole in Hand |
| Firstly find a tube of some sort. The tube from the middle of a kitchen roll works best, but you can always make your own from a sheet of paper. Look down the tube, at a distant object, with one eye. Place your free hand (the one that isn't holding the tube) beside the end of the tube furthest away from your eye, as shown in the opposite illustration. If you open both eyes you should be able to see a large hole in your hand. |
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| The Magic Coin |
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| Place a small coin in an opaque (so the coin can't be seen) cup. Stand a person about a metre away from the cup, so they are unable to see the coin, ensuring that the coin is positioned at the side of the cup furthest away from the observer (See diagram.) Now slowly pour water into the cup and magiclly the coin will come into the view of the observer. |
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| The Broken Pencil |
| This is a very simple trick that works due to how light behaves in water. Place a pencil into a transparent beaker of water and it will go from being straight to having a bend in the centre (Look at the photo opposite.) This works for many objects not just pencils. |
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| Carbon Dioxide |
| This little magic trick is simlply an optical illusion. Write the words 'CARBON DIOXIDE' on a piece of paper exactly as above (all in capitals with the word carbon in red and dioxide in blue.) Now place the piece of paper behind the stem of a wine glass (as in the image opposite) and Hey Presto the word 'carbon' is reversed because it is written in red and the word 'dioxide' isn't because its written in blue! Well actually that isn't true as it has nothing to do with colours at all. Both words are reversed but the word 'dioxide' doesn't appear to be, as it looks the same upside down. |
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| The Little Dragon |
| This amazing illusion is avaliable for you to print out and make at home. When viewed correctly (as on the right) it will look as if the dragon's head is pointing out towards you when it is in fact caved inwards. Because of this, the dragon's head appears to follow you as you walk about the room! To download the dragon and create the illusion yourself click here. |
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| me at [email protected] |
| Optical Illusions |
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