#ChemFact2

〜 How do Glow Sticks Work ?

- We've been using glow sticks from a long time but how do they work ? How do they emit light when flexed ? 

A glow stick is a short term light source which consists a tiny, brittle , translucent container within a flexible outer container. Each container holds a different solution so as to prevent the mixing of the chemicals . When the outer container is flexed, the inner container breaks, allowing the solutions to combine(react) which in turn emits light due to chemiluminescence . 

- What is chemiluminescence ?

Chemiluminescence is the process of emission of light when a chemical reaction takes place . It is used for various purposes from making children toys to DNA sequencing .

#A fun thing is that cooling a glow stick somewhat slows the reaction and causes it to last longer , but the light will dimmer . The dyes used in glow sticks usually exhibit fluorescence when exposed to Ultraviolet radiation which means that even a spent glow stick may therefore shine under a black light(UV light)




 


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