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General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: Clive on April 16, 2011, 20:26

Title: Ball in glass mystery
Post by: Clive on April 16, 2011, 20:26

Help us figure out how a ball is magically plucked from a glass.

LINK (http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/nstv/2011/04/friday-illusion-ball-in-glass-mystery.html)

Title: Re: Ball in glass mystery
Post by: D-Dan on April 17, 2011, 00:11

Well, I watched it three times and he grabs behind the glass, but I'm still stumped  :dunno:

Title: Re: Ball in glass mystery
Post by: Simon on April 17, 2011, 00:17

Hmm...  I would say that the ball is actually on the outside of the glass, but it's a very clever illusion.

Title: Re: Ball in glass mystery
Post by: Clive on April 17, 2011, 08:18

Well that's exactly what I thought too Simon.   :dunno:

Title: Re: Ball in glass mystery
Post by: davy51 on April 17, 2011, 14:28

There was never a ball in the glass

Notice the red and green cube

It reflects into the glass and he has a red sponge ball in his hand at the end

Its the same type of ball used in slight of hand magic tricks

Title: Re: Ball in glass mystery
Post by: Simon on April 17, 2011, 14:39

Not sure I buy that, Dave.  How does the red cube reflect into the glass, when the green one doesn't?

Title: Re: Ball in glass mystery
Post by: Clive on April 17, 2011, 19:44

Davy might have something there.  Aren't red and green opposite colours?   :dunno:  Let's ask a physicist.  Sam......  :laugh:

Title: Re: Ball in glass mystery
Post by: Simon on April 17, 2011, 20:39

 :stars:

Title: Re: Ball in glass mystery
Post by: davy51 on April 17, 2011, 23:15

The chemical compound the glass is made of could be blocking the green because the eye doesn't want to see it


Just a guess on my part

Title: Re: Ball in glass mystery
Post by: D-Dan on April 17, 2011, 23:22

I don't buy it - you can't pluck a reflection from the glass. Granted, he may have a sponge ball hidden in his hand, but that doesn't explain how it vanished from the glass.

Title: Re: Ball in glass mystery
Post by: Simon on April 17, 2011, 23:41

Good point, Steve! 

Title: Re: Ball in glass mystery
Post by: davy51 on April 18, 2011, 02:56

Quote from: D-Dan on April 17, 2011, 23:22

I don't buy it - you can't pluck a reflection from the glass. Granted, he may have a sponge ball hidden in his hand, but that doesn't explain how it vanished from the glass.

its slight of hand with optical illusion