Refraction and the magic coin

Background

So you think Harry Potter is the only one that can do magic? Light Refraction also has a few magic tricks up his sleeve. The difference is that you will be in on the magic, it's a magic called science. With your science knowledge you will be able to show and then explain why a coin can appear when it was not visible in the first place!

Let's do science...

The Experiment

The Aim
To “do some magic” by making a coin appear when it was previously not visible.

Equipment Needed

A shallow, smallish bowl.

Water.

A coin.

Method

Place the coin in the center of the bowl.

While looking at the coin go down (or lift the bowl up) so that the coin can just no longer be seen in the bowl.

Slowly pour water into the bowl while your eyes remain in the same position.

Results
This is what you should see happening...

Obviously, at first the coin is hidden from your site behind the rim of the bowl.

As water is poured in, more and more of the coin becomes visible until the whole coin can be seen, almost as if it is floating upwards.

No coin...

...here it comes...

and kazam! here it is!

The Conclusion
As the water is poured into the bowl, the light is refracted. In doing so the image of the coin is moved up so that your eyes can see it (check out the diagram below). So what you are actually seeing is the image of the coin, and not the actual coin!

And the "magic coin" diagram...

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