The Assassin’s Teapot: How it works?

It is a two-chamber teapot that is known to have Chinese origins. I wonder why did they invent it. Taking a peek down the spout reveals what looks like two paths for two chambers:

So, you put regular tea in one chamber and poisoned tea in the other. Pour for yourself and your enemy, drink in front of him to make him relax, and mission accomplished!

But how does this assassin’s teapot exactly work? Let’s find out…

How does it work?

Using this wonderful teapot, you may either impress your visitors with your service or kill them. Whatever makes you happy.

Known as the “Assassin’s Teapot,” this Chinese innovation pours both tea and milk with complete smoothness.

A pair of holes along the handle determines the type of liquid that may be poured out of the pot. Whenever you cover the top hole and open the bottom hole, the liquid that is kept in the bottom chamber is released.

However, when the bottom hole is covered and the top is released, the liquid that is kept in the upper chamber is poured out from the lower chamber.

Assassin’s Teapot Secret Revealed

Steve Mould’s channel on youtube shows that clearly and explains everything with the help of a transparent prototype of the teapot. Using two colored liquids (blue and yellow), the trick is explained well.

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Covering the bottom hole will stop the yellow liquid in the down chamber from coming out, and this will allow just the blue liquid in the upper chamber to come out.

Then covering the upper hole will stop the blue liquid and releases the yellow liquid.

Allowing both liquids to pour out by releasing the two holes, and we will get a mixture of blue and yellow liquid (green).

Lastly, by closing both holes, the liquids will not be released, and we get nothing out of the teapot.

The science behind it

It’s nothing that special. This teapot utilizes what is known as the surface tension of liquids.

In order for the liquid to get out of the pot, air needs to come in, and when the hole corresponding to one of the chambers is closed, air can’t get into the chamber from the hole.

And in this case, the air will try to get into the chamber through the other hole, which is the spout. And at that point, the surface tension occurs between the air and the liquid, preventing it from coming out.

Take a look at the video for more information:

Take it easy!

As the name suggests, the assassin’s teapot seems that it was used to pour a normal drink in one cup, probably tea, and pour another poisoned drink in the other cup of the enemy. But please don’t take it seriously.

This cup could actually be a fun, creative trick between friends, and it might actually be useful. Like why do we need two pots, one of milk and one of coffee?

Add them both to this creative teapot, close one hole to get just milk or just coffee. Or release both holes to get a delicious cup of coffee and milk!

So what do you think of this clever teapot? Share your thoughts in the Facebook comments plugin below!