The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland uses a special effect in the Ballroom scene that is so perfect, it’s still one of the most impressive special effects you can see right in front of you. It was created in the 1960s, but the original effect was discovered in the 1800s, called Pepper’s Ghost.
The main idea is that there are two things you want the audience to see – one is a lit stage, and the other is the ghost that you want to appear and disappear on command.
Image Source: Comsol.com
If you’ve ever noticed how on a dark night, you can see through a window into someone’s dining room, but when the lights are out you can’t, you’ve noticed how windows can reflect light and also allow light to transmit through depending on where the light is coming from and where you’re standing.
For example, if you are standing outside on a dark night and inside the house is light, you can see in. If it’s light outside but dark inside, the window will reflect back and you’ll see your own reflection. This happens on the smooth surface of a lake.
We’re going to use this idea along with a piece of glass, some cardboard and a couple of other things from the hardware store to create a jaw-dropping Pepper’s Ghost illusion you can use to amaze your friends.
In the Haunted Mansion, the props in the room are real, like the organ, the table and chandelier. The ghosts are the reflected images of the actual ghosts that are under the track that the guests ride in. The Hitchhiking Ghosts at the end of the ride is also similar to Pepper’s Ghost, but this time the ghosts are behind the class and it’s the guests that are reflected in the mirror.
If you want your kids to make more projects like this, and if you found this helpful and you find yourself thinking, “Hey, you know, I want this person to teach my kids science for me, and to create my curriculum lessons for me…” then we can do just that.
Go to www.SuperchargedScience.com
When you get there, you’ll see a video that shows you the science curriculum that I developed and teach.
If you like what you see on that website, just fill in the form below the video and your kids can get started today doing real hands-on science with everyday materials.
Thanks for watching!
Aurora
Supercharged Science
Homeschool Science Curriculum
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