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The Science of Magic! Trivia Quiz

Magic, illusions, tricks...what is the science behind some of the most popular magic?

A multiple-choice quiz by cinivon. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
cinivon

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
333,941

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
466

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Wow! The magician just made a rabbit disappear in a box. He put the rabbit in the top of the box and opened a door in the front. The box looks empty. The scientific word for the illusion he just created is: Hint

physical

optical

psychical

miracle

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Question 2 of 10

2. I am an amazing magician, and I just appeared to have turned water into wine in front of you! I just performed an experiment in the science of: Hint

biology

psychics

astronomy

chemistry

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Question 3 of 10

3. Sometimes, I wear one of these to help me with my disappearing handkerchief tricks. Which of these would do it? Hint

a hearing aid

a false beard

a pair of glasses

a prosthetic thumb

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Question 4 of 10

4. Did I really pull that quarter from your ear? Hiding small objects from view in my hand is called: Hint

plodding

seeding

palming

shielding

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Question 5 of 10

5. When using a svengali deck, a magician can get you to pick a certain card. This is called: Hint

mastering

trading

forcing

tricking

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Question 6 of 10

6. To perform a convincing "levitation", the audience must be behind you, 10 or so feet from you, and close together. You must stand at a 45 degree angle from them Why is this? Hint

So you do not fall on them

Because you must stand on one foot

So the power can flow through you

So you can get higher off the ground

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Question 7 of 10

7. Swallowing a string and then pulling it out of your stomach is performed with the science of: Hint

psychic energy

mastication and digestion

polymers and adhesives

osmosis and string theory

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Question 8 of 10

8. I just tore a card up right in front of you and put it back together again! Most likely: Hint

I had an extra card that I ripped.

I ripped it up and glued it back together quickly

I folded the card and pretended to rip it, with one extra ripped piece.

It was real magic

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. I just created an amazing bubbling potion! Just like Snape! I used water and dry ice, but I forgot to wear my gloves. What might happen to me? Hint

I might turn into a frog.

I might get heat blisters!

I might kill Dumbledore.

I might get frostbite!

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Question 10 of 10

10. I am finishing my magic show with a little juggling act. Which branch of science is involved in juggling? Hint

botany

chemistry

physics

alchemy

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: optical

This trick, and others involving disappearing people, is typically done with a cleverly placed set of mirrors. By using the science of optics, the magician tricks your brain into seeing an empty box.

2. I am an amazing magician, and I just appeared to have turned water into wine in front of you! I just performed an experiment in the science of:

Answer: chemistry

Do not drink the "water" or "wine"! This cool trick is done with a pH indicator, which indicates the "power of hydrogen". When a corrosive base is added, it turns bright red. When an acid is added, it turns clear again.

3. Sometimes, I wear one of these to help me with my disappearing handkerchief tricks. Which of these would do it?

Answer: a prosthetic thumb

Magicians often hide items in a false, or prosthetic, thumb which fits over their own thumb. Small items such as hankies with little mass hide well here.

4. Did I really pull that quarter from your ear? Hiding small objects from view in my hand is called:

Answer: palming

"Palming" doesn't always involve the palm. Some magicians palm between the fingers.

5. When using a svengali deck, a magician can get you to pick a certain card. This is called:

Answer: forcing

The svengali deck is considered the "easiest" trick deck. Pick one up. Even a kid can typically use it.

6. To perform a convincing "levitation", the audience must be behind you, 10 or so feet from you, and close together. You must stand at a 45 degree angle from them Why is this?

Answer: Because you must stand on one foot

This popular "street magic" method is all about angle of sight! Stand on one foot at this angle, and levitate!

7. Swallowing a string and then pulling it out of your stomach is performed with the science of:

Answer: polymers and adhesives

Magicians use rubber cement a lot. Typically, the thread is cemented into place beforehand. This is also true of. "Neck-flossing". Rubber cement is a polymer, a string of molecules that stretches, much like skin, when pulled slowly and breaks when pulled quickly. If rubbed, it disappears off skin leaving no evidence but easily discarded little balls.

8. I just tore a card up right in front of you and put it back together again! Most likely:

Answer: I folded the card and pretended to rip it, with one extra ripped piece.

I probably folded it. This way, I could even have you write your name on the card and appear to rip it up. I also had a small , pre-ripped piece of card palmed to use to create the illusion that I ripped your card.

9. I just created an amazing bubbling potion! Just like Snape! I used water and dry ice, but I forgot to wear my gloves. What might happen to me?

Answer: I might get frostbite!

Dry ice is very cold...-109.3 degrees. You MUST wear gloves! Otherwise, you will get instant frostbite.

10. I am finishing my magic show with a little juggling act. Which branch of science is involved in juggling?

Answer: physics

Juggling is all about physics! Laws of motion abound!

Source: Author cinivon

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor kyleisalive before going online.
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