With no bulb or battery, glow sticks manage to give off a strong light. So how exactly do glow sticks work? Glow stick light is the result of a chemical reaction. Most glow sticks hold a hydrogen peroxide solution and a solution containing phenyl oxalate ester and a fluorescent dye. When the two compounds are mixed, the hydrogen peroxide oxidizes the phenyl oxalate ester, resulting in a chemical called phenol and an unstable acid ester. The unstable compound decomposes, resulting in additional phenol and a cyclic peroxy compound. The cyclic peroxy compound then decomposes to carbon dioxide; this decomposition process releases energy to the dye, and the electrons in the dye atoms jump to a higher level, then fall back down, releasing energy in the form of light.
The actual light stick is simply a form of housing the two solutions. In the stick, the two solutions are kept in separate chambers. The phenyl oxalate ester and dye solution fills most of the glow stick, while the hydrogen peroxide solution is held in a smaller glass vial within the middle of the stick. This is why glow sticks must be bent to activate – bending the plastic stick breaks the glass vial open, allowing the two solutions to mix.
The glow stick can stay lit for hours, if enough compounds are used. However, more commercial glow sticks are likely to last up to 30 minutes. Also, heating the glow stick will cause it to glow brighter, but it will also dim more quickly. Similarly, cooling the stick will slow down the process and cause a dimmer light to last much longer. Freezing a glow stick can cause the light to last for several days, though it will eventually fade out.
Although some websites offer information on how to make a glow stick, this is discouraged unless a person has a background in science and considerable training in chemical compounds. While relatively safe, mixing the compounds incorrectly can lead to inadvertent results, and the dye can harm clothing and other fabrics.
Related Articles of Interest :
-
Glow Stick Necklaces
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Glow stick necklaces are perhaps most popular for children to wear during Halloween or for campers to wear as makeshift lanterns. Glow stick necklaces work just like any other glow stick, the result of a chemical mixture. Most commercial glow sticks are composed of hydrogen...
-
An Introduction to Glow Sticks
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Glow sticks have been around for over 25 years, but their popularity continues to grow. The light-emitting sticks come in many sizes and colors, and have been used for a variety of activities. They are best sellers during Halloween, serving as both a safety item...
-
Buying Wholesale Glow Sticks
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Because glow sticks have such a short life, they are inexpensive. While some glow sticks can last up to several days, depending on the amount of chemicals used in the stick and the temperature of the stick (a frozen stick can last for days), it...
-
The Benefits of Mini Glow Sticks
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Mini glow sticks are just as popular as their larger counterparts, only smaller! They can clipped to a hat or shirt, used when rave dancing, or even inserted into the mouth for an interesting effect (and also a choking hazard). Although they only run about...
-
Glow In The Dark Products
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Glow in the dark products are products which illuminate in the dark. Glow products are available in large number. The collection of glow products is wide in quality and quantity. Glow products include glow sticks, glow necklaces, glow bracelets, glow glass, glow pendants, glow computers,...
-
A Look at Glow Stick Dancing
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Glow stick dancing, also called flow dancing or liquid dancing, involves twirling glow sticks to the beat of a song while simultaneously dancing. This dance has become popular with the techno and, to some extent, the hip-hop scene — especially in cities such as San...
-
Glow Bracelets
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Glow bracelets are bracelets which glow when worn. They are made by bending glow sticks into the required shapes and styles. The light which illuminates or glows in the bracelet is due to the chemical reaction which takes place when two solutions are mixed. During...
-
Glow Necklaces
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Glow necklaces are ornaments which glow in the dark and have a special attraction. The glow of a glow necklace lasts for few hours. Glow necklaces are made in gold and platinum sometimes, and are very famous all over the world. Purchasing gold ornaments involves...
-
Buy Glow Necklaces
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Glow necklaces are worth purchasing. They are economical and are available in varied colors and shapes. The glowing light of the glow necklace tempts one to own it. Glow necklaces are available in various colors. They are available in retail shops, wholesale shops and also...
-
Glow Necklace Manufacturers
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Glow products are available in a wide range and variety of colors. Glow products are available for all occasions. There are countless registered importers and exporters dealing with glow necklace manufacturers. Glow necklace manufactures are mostly in China. Some of the manufacturers are Alaking Electronic...