From the original 6" taper glow sticks to glow bracelets, necklaces and are even made into products such as cups, badges, straws and more. All of these products work in the same way. But how do glow sticks glow?
Chemiluminesence is a chemical reaction that causes a release of energy in the form of light. To produce this light the electrons in the chemicals become excited and rise to a higher energy level. To utilise this process glowsticks contain two liquids; hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl alcohol. When mixed together it is these liquids that create the glow. Fluorescent dyes are also used in the alcohol to alter the colour of the light emitted. One of the liquids is contained in a very fine glass tube that floats within the mixture inside the plastic glow stick product.
This is why you must bend a glow stick to make it start glowing. It's what hangs off those rings that determines what color is produced: One anthracene variant shines that iconic ghostly green; another glows blue. Add Lumogen Red to anthracene blue to get purple; tweak the ratios to get pink.
These dyes can irritate eyes, skin, and the respiratory system, but at the levels here, researchers say, kids could swallow this stuff they have without harm. Hey, it can't be any worse for you than ecstasy. Hydrogen Peroxide In bleaches and disinfectants, this strong oxidizer rips apart molecules to whiten or clean. Oxalate Esters The hydrogen peroxide reacts with these molecules in the outer tube to form a highly unstable compound that quickly breaks down into CO 2 , releasing energy that excites the dyes and produces light.
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Membership Categories. Regular or Affiliate Member. Graduate Student Member. Undergraduate Student Member. Benefits Enjoy these benefits no matter which membership you pick. Thank you! Mixing hydrogen peroxide, oxalate esters, and certain dyes results in some illuminating chemistry by Bethany Halford October 19, A version of this story appeared in Volume 99, Issue The cold augments glow longevity.
Glow stick dyes also retain their fluorescence under ultraviolet light — even a spent glow stick may brighten when exposed to black light. While the chemistry and history of glow sticks is extremely interesting to learn about, it is the experiences we have that lead to vivid memories we can share with each other.
Gaston, B. Harris, T. How Light Sticks Work , November 1. Heinecke, L. Nichols, M. Invention From bike decorations to Halloween accessories, glow sticks have wide recreational use, but they were originally patented as a signaling device. Glow Stick Science Glow sticks have a high value when it comes to low-cost entertainment: no batteries or electricity necessary, cheap to produce, portability and high functionality as well as resilience.
References Gaston, B. In her career, she endeavors to apply the qualities of literature to the scientific mode and vice versa, integrating analysis with artistic expression. Tags Megan Hardie. Leave Feedback. Related Articles. The Science and History of Glow Sticks. It was August when thousands of bicyclers assembled in a city street, the dark evening ignited by Illuminating Your Party Food. The History of Luciferin and Luciferase. Who discovered luciferin?
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