How to Make a Viral Magic Vacuum

Materials you'll need

• Water
• Green food coloring
• Large shallow bowl
• Measuring cup
• Tea light candle
• Lighter (adult use only)
• Tall glass jar
• 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol
• Paper towel

 

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1: Add a few drops of green food coloring to a measuring cup of water and stir to combine. Pour the colored water into a large shallow bowl.

Step 2: Place a tea light candle in the center of the bowl, light the wick, and let it float.

Step 3: Pour a small splash of isopropyl alcohol into the tall glass jar. Swirl it around to coat the inside, then pour out the extra. Use a paper towel to carefully wipe the rim clean. Keep the alcohol away from any open flame.

Step 4: Quickly place the jar upside down over the lit candle so the rim sits in the water. Stand back and watch!

Step 5: As the candle goes out, the green water gets sucked up into the jar like magic. Lift the jar to release it when you're done.

Learn more

When the candle burns inside the jar, it heats the air — and hot air expands, so some air actually escapes as tiny bubbles from under the rim. Once the candle uses up the available oxygen and goes out, the air inside the jar cools back down and contracts, taking up less space. This creates lower air pressure inside the jar than outside. The higher air pressure outside then pushes down on the water in the bowl, forcing it up into the jar to equalize the pressure — like an invisible hand pushing the water in!