PURPOSE: Classic illusion of penny levitating above a pair of parabolic concave mirrors.

DESCRIPTION: This commercial apparatus forms a real image of a penny glued to the bottom mirror. Two concave parabolic mirrors with the correct focal length and spacing create an image of the penny levitating on the opening of the upper mirror. The illusion can be viewed within a limited angle, so it is most effective for individual observation. A ray drawing is included which shows how the image is produced.

SUGGESTIONS:

REFERENCES:

EQUIPMENT: Penny and parabolic mirror illusion.

SETUP TIME: None.

Go back to Lecture-Demonstration Home Page.