文章轉(zhuǎn)載自 世紀(jì)君 21世紀(jì)英文報(bào)
In 1970, American magician Rick Johnsson theorized that when magic tricks seem too perfect, audiences are less impressed and can easily figure out their secrets. Researchers at the University of London tested this theory, publishing their findings in PeerJ journal on May 30.
1970年，美國(guó)魔術(shù)師瑞克·約翰遜提出了這樣一個(gè)理論：魔術(shù)看起來(lái)太完美時(shí)，觀眾反而沒(méi)那么動(dòng)容了，而且很容易就能破解魔術(shù)的秘密。倫敦大學(xué)的研究人員測(cè)試了這一理論，并于5月30日在《同行界》期刊上發(fā)表了研究結(jié)果。
They found viewers preferred “perfect” tricks to flawed ones. But consistent with the theory, viewers had an easier time understanding how these tricks were performed.
研究人員發(fā)現(xiàn)，比起有瑕疵的魔術(shù)，觀眾更喜歡“完美”的魔術(shù)。但與約翰遜理論一致的是，此時(shí)觀眾更容易理解這些魔術(shù)是如何表演的。
Johnsson knew in the 20th century few people believed magicians had supernatural powers. They knew there is a rational explanation for magic, and it’s often science.
約翰遜深知，在20世紀(jì)，很少有人相信魔術(shù)師擁有超自然的力量，觀眾知道魔術(shù)有一個(gè)合理的解釋?zhuān)峭褪强茖W(xué)。
What’s the science behind popular magic tricks? Website ScienceABC reveals their secrets. Let’s take a look.
廣受歡迎的魔術(shù)背后，隱藏著什么科學(xué)原理？科學(xué)ABC網(wǎng)站揭露了而這些魔術(shù)的秘密。讓我們一起來(lái)看看吧。
Another popular trick is making objects levitate, with smaller objects being especially easy to “fly”. To the viewer, the levitating object may seem to defy gravity, but there’s a simple explanation – quantum physics.
一大熱門(mén)魔術(shù)是讓物體懸浮，小型物體尤其容易“飛起來(lái)”。在觀眾看來(lái)，這個(gè)懸浮的物體似乎是在對(duì)抗重力，但這個(gè)現(xiàn)象有著簡(jiǎn)單的原理——量子力學(xué)。
Called quantum or magnetic levitation, the trick involves magnets and freezing cold temperatures. Magicians coat an object in a layer of magnetic paint and place it on top of a superconductor cooled by liquid nitrogen. The opposing forces cause the object to float above the superconductor.
這種把戲名叫量子懸浮或磁懸浮，過(guò)程涉及到磁鐵和極低的溫度。魔術(shù)師給某個(gè)物體涂上一層磁性涂料，然后把物體放在用液氮冷卻的超導(dǎo)體上。相對(duì)的力會(huì)令物體浮在超導(dǎo)體上方。
Many magicians can make liquids disappear. The explanation is simple – chemistry.
許多魔術(shù)師能讓液體消失。這種魔術(shù)的原理很簡(jiǎn)單——化學(xué)。
Sodium polyacrylate, also known as “waterlock”, is a chemical compound that can absorb liquids. It’s used in everyday products such as baby diapers. What’s magical about this polymer is it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in liquid.
聚丙烯酸鈉，又名“水閘”，是一種能夠吸收液體的化合物，常被應(yīng)用于嬰兒尿布等日用品。這種化合物的神奇之處在于，其可吸收自身質(zhì)量100到1000倍的液體。
When a magician pours water into a cup lined with sodium polyacrylate, the water is quickly absorbed.
魔術(shù)師把水倒進(jìn)內(nèi)襯有聚丙烯酸鈉的杯子里，水就飛速吸收了。
Another interesting trick is when magicians set paper alight, it remains intact. Magicians can even use money in this trick. However, there’s a scientific explanation – chemistry!
還有一個(gè)有趣的魔術(shù)：魔術(shù)師把紙點(diǎn)燃，紙張卻仍然完好無(wú)損。魔術(shù)師甚至可以用錢(qián)來(lái)變這個(gè)魔術(shù)。然而，這種現(xiàn)象有一個(gè)科學(xué)原理——化學(xué)！
The item is dipped in a mixture of alcohol and water before the trick. When it’s lit on fire, the alcohol covering the paper begins to burn. Alcohol burns and evaporates at a much lower temperature than water, so the water protects the paper from burning.
變魔術(shù)前，魔術(shù)師把紙張等物體浸入酒精和水的混合物中。紙張一旦點(diǎn)燃，覆蓋在紙上的酒精就會(huì)開(kāi)始燃燒。酒精燃燒和蒸發(fā)的溫度比水低得多，所以水會(huì)起保護(hù)作用，紙張就不會(huì)燃燒。
以上文章內(nèi)容選自《21世紀(jì)學(xué)生英文報(bào)》高一875期
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