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Magic markers are among every kid’s favorite instrument for good or evil. With them you can make colorful drawings, or draw colorfully on things you are not supposed to. Here is an experiment that lets you gain some insight into the secret of markers and what makes them seem like magic.

• Scissors
• A coffee filter made of white paper
• A black non-permanent marker
• Water
• A coffee mug

1. Cut a round circle out of the coffee filter
2. Next, draw a line across the circle, about one inch from the bottom.
3. Pour enough water in the bottom of the cup to cover the surface. Curling the filter so that it fits in the mug, push the paper circle into the mug so that the bottom of the circle touches the water in the bottom of the mug.
4. Now, watch as the filter absorbs the water. You’ll notice some changes when the water hits the black line that you’ve drawn.
5. Leave the filter circle in the water until the colors reach the top edge of the paper. How many colors can you make out?
6. Try the experiment with a different type of black marker to see what colors comprise its “black” color.

What Happened:

Non-permanent magic markers are made up of different pigments. When exposed to water, some pigments travel faster than others due to the size of the molecules and their attraction to the paper. Black markers are made of many colors which combine to simulate the color black.