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Jelly Lenses
 Magnifying glasses are used to make things larger and easier to see. A magnifying glass is made of a curved lens. Make your own curved lens to see how it works. (And when youre done, you can eat your experiment!)
What You Need
Boiling Water
Measuring Cup
Spoon
Metal tray
Modelling clay
Plastic wrap
1 package lemon gelatin
Small, round-bottomed containers, such as an ice cream scoop or a small cup
What to Do
CAUTION: An adult must help you do the first step.
1. Pour the package of gelatin into a mixing bowl. Add 200 ml (Ύ cup) of boiling water. Stir until the gelatin dissolves.
2. Add the gelatin to the containers. Set them on the tray. If necessary, prop the containers up using the modelling clay. (You have enough gelatin to make several lenses. Use different amounts of gelatin to make different-sized lenses.)
3. Place the tray in the refrigerator and leave it until the gelatin is firm, about
4 hours.
4. Carefully remove the gelatin lenses from the containers. You may have to run a bit of warm water over the back of the containers, or gently use a butter knife to remove the gelatin.
5. Place the lenses flat side down on a piece of plastic wrap then place them over a sheet of newspaper or the page of a magazine. How do the words change?
How it Works
Light rays travel in a straight line. The gelatin forms a curved lens that bends the light rays so they all come together at one point. This focuses the light and the letters appear larger.
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