Chapter 5: Footprints without Feet

Yes, it would be an exciting idea for most people to become invisible. Just like there are two facets to every coin, invisibility can also have certain advantages and disadvantages. A prime advantage of becoming invisible for military personnel is that it could help them maintain law and order in society by tracking illegal crimes caused by anti-social elements without their knowledge and put an end to the nuisance created by terrorists or criminals. On a lighter note, for a child being invisible is an open license to play pranks on his friends without getting caught. On the other hand, a disadvantage of invisibility would mean isolation and having no friends and family to share joys and sorrows with. A person is likely to become like the eccentric scientist, Griffin, as mentioned in this story.

Yes, electrostatic and magnetic forces are good examples of invisible forces. The atoms and molecules in matter are so tiny that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. Similarly, sound and heat energy are transparent and cannot be seen. Although it is quite an exciting idea to see invisible things, their visibility could create a lot of issues too. For instance, if we are able to view the magnetic force, it might cause a lot of irritation to our senses.

We know that light can pass through glass or water as they are transparent. When light rays fall on an object, the reflection of that light from the object makes it visible for us. Similarly, if any device of a similar kind can be made that can prevent the reflection of light from the human body, then the human body can also become transparent and invisible.