Can You Bend Light? Watch this Science Experiment!

Want to see light bend?  In this Short video, Museum Educator Emily explores the science behind an incredible optical phenomenon called "total internal reflection", the same principle that helps fiber optics work and keeps light "trapped" inside materials.

See how light can bend using total internal reflection in this experiment! This demonstration shows how light travels through a plastic coil, highlighting the concept of refraction.

Using a plastic coil and a stream of water, we demonstrate how light can reflect within a denser medium and follow a curved path — without mirrors or lenses. It looks like a trick, but it's all physics! This experiment is a great way to visualize:

• How light reflects inside materials
• What makes total internal reflection possible
• Why water and plastic can act like natural light guides

Whether you're a curious learner, a STEM educator, or just love science experiments, this bite-sized demo from the Museum of Science is for you.

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