Glow Stick Facts
A glow stick is a liquid light source that is encased in a plastic tube anywhere from 1 to 15 inches long. The tube itself is waterproof, while the combination of chemicals inside is non-toxic and non-corrosive and the tube itself emits no heat. Glow sticks are long-lasting, lightweight and are an inexpensive source of light and fun!
But how exactly do these little charmers work?
Light can be produced in a variety of ways - from heat, chemical reactions or laser emissions. In the case of glow sticks, a reaction between two non-toxic chemicals inside the plastic tube creates light in a similar way to fluorescent light bulbs. The light caused by this reaction is called luminescence, which means a source of light that is not caused by heat.
Glow sticks contain two chemicals that when mixed will create this type of light effect. When you ‘snap’ a glow stick, you are actually breaking a small vial that contains one of the two chemicals needed to produce the luminescent reaction, thus allowing the chemicals to mix. A solution called phenyl axalate ester and fluorescent dye are mixed together to produce the color of the glow stick.
Temperature can affect glow time and the intensity of your glow stick. When exposed to heat, the brightness of the glow stick will intensify, but as a result the length of glow time for the glow stick will become shorter. Low temperatures will create the opposite effect. In order to see substantial changes in the brightness of the glow stick, the change in temperature must more than 15 degrees.
Most glow stick varieties will glow for anywhere from 4-12 hours, and have a shelf life of 2-4 years when unused. You can extend the life of your glow sticks by keeping them in the freezer when they're not being used. And here's another trick - even 'dead' glow sticks will continue to shine if they are placed under a black light!
For more information you can visit:
Ask a Scientist - How Glow Sticks Work
How Light Sticks Work - In Depth
