Yo-yo's, stickers, action figures, clothing, you name it. As a kid, I thought it was just short of magic. The effect is less impressive to adult me, but the chemistry behind it is pretty cool. To make a glow-in-the-dark toy, what you want is a phosphor that is energized by normal light and that has a very long persistence.
Two phosphors that have these properties are Zinc Sulfide and Strontium Aluminate. Strontium Aluminate is newer -- it's what you see in the "super" glow-in-the-dark toys. It has a much longer persistence than Zinc Sulfide does. The phosphor is mixed into a plastic and molded to make most glow-in-the-dark stuff. Occasionally you will see something glowing but it does not need charging. The most common place is on the hands of expensive watches.
In these products, the phosphor is mixed with a radioactive element, and the radioactive emissions see How Nuclear Radiation Works energize the phosphor continuously. In the past, the radioactive element was radium, which has a half-life of years. Today, most glowing watches use a radioactive isotope of hydrogen called tritium which has a half-life of 12 years or promethium, a man-made radioactive element with a half-life of around three years.
I have always wondered how things glow in the dark and this is super cool! Thanks so much. Mar 4, Kat Jan 26, I just recently purchased some glo-powder , and was wondering what it is.
There wasn't much detail in the description about the product,except what it is for. I'm a 30 yr experienced nail-technician, and I have 6 colors altogether ,of this powder. The 'glow' duration ois about 30 minutes, if that gives you an idea of what kind of chemicals to help you find out which kind it is. Thank you. Jan 28, Hi, Kat! Addyson Nov 5, I'm starting to like this video!!! But some videos are just weird!!
Nov 5, We're glad you like this video, Addyson! Barbara May 19, Hi, I am a hobbyist making orgonite and would like to add glow in the dark substances to my orgonite orgonite is an art with resin, hardner and minerals.
Which is the best illuminum to use? May 23, Ayrya Mar 28, The part I found the most interesting was that it takes a lot more work than I thought to make these, because I thought they just take glow paint and pour it in a straw of plastic!
Mar 29, We're glad you had fun exploring this Wonder, Ayrya! Great to hear you learned something new! Saira Jan 4, Mar 10, Mar 13, Thanks for being a supportive Wonder Friend!
Visit again soon! Jan 5, You're very welcome, Saira! Oct 28, Maizi Ard Apr 29, So if I were to mix luminol with some hydrogen peroxide, would I get my own chemiluminescent mixture? Wonderopolis Apr 29, Wonderopolis Aug 25, Alexandra Oct 22, Wonderopolis Oct 23, Wonderopolis Jun 3, How do you make glow sticks? Do you like glow sticks? When I was 3 years old, one day I got a glow stick and I was biting it and I was in the car.
That video was awesome and cool! I am in Miss Barboza's class. Wonderopolis May 31, MATT Feb 26, Wonderopolis Feb 27, Dear Wonderopolis, I enjoyed this post I learned a lot that I did not know. Wonderopolis Feb 20, Wonderopolis Feb 13, Natalie Jan 24, I never knew that there were chemicals involved in glowing in the dark. Wonderopolis Jan 24, We're so happy you learned something new today, Natalie! Michelle luminoworld. Don't you know that luminous item are now also part of fashion?
Dressing different from what others are wearing is fashion. Wonderopolis Jan 7, Team Wilch Dec 13, Dear wonderopolis, I loved learning about how glow sticks glow in the dark! I loved the facts about how These substances are called phosphors. What do strontium aluminate, chemiluminescence, radioluminscence and bioluminescence mean? Sincerely, Anna. Wonderopolis Dec 13, Hart Dec 12, Wonderopolis Dec 12, You can click on the video itself, Kate!
Oh my gosh!!!!!! This is an awesome website. I can find a lot of interesting facts about almost everything. Thank you to whoever created this website. Wonderopolis Dec 10, Atianna Hart Dec 10, I thought this was pretty cool. I never knew this before. We have to write a paragraph in school for homework on here. Bishara Dec 7, Wonderopolis Dec 7, Thanks so much, Bishara! Angela Chick Dec 7, Hello Wonderopolis!
My friend Jess who made the film shared this link with me - glad you guys liked it! Jessica, UK Dec 7, Thanks for posting my video! I was intrigued as to why my views shot up by hundreds all of a sudden and then I found your site! Your website is a lovely place for resources, we will definitely be back to check out the Wonders of the Day!
Glowsticks are awesome! John MC Dec 6, I never knew there was another word for glow-in-the-dark like luminescence. I learned that phosphors radiate visible light after being energized. I might use these new vocabulary words in a science experiment. Why do glow-in-the-dark toys sometimes only glow for a short time?
What wears down? Quincy, Krystal and Cameron Dec 6, I was wondering, HA HA if you could make a wonder on monster high!? Wonderopolis Dec 6, Noah Dec 5, Wonderopolis Dec 5, This is a really cool wonder the kids in my class love it. Noah Dec 3, What is the stuff called inside the glow stick? Wonderopolis Dec 3, I know a trick to keeping it glowing for a very very long time you stick it in the freezer my friend told me this and it works I've tried it.
Wonderopolis Nov 30, Cool, Emily! Thanks for sharing your awesome trick! Naya Battle Nov 28, Yes we're okay we washed it all off as soon as we came back from bible school. But we're obviously still alive today. And our science experiment was successful! Wonderopolis Nov 29, Phew, we're glad to hear it, Naya B! Isaac Nov 28, If you break one open and it spills everywhere will it still glow? Elizebath Nov 28, I loved this article, I used it for my homework assignment like Megan did too!
My class does wonderopolis every Wednesday. I love wonderopolis!!! Wonder Friend H Nov 28, Megan Nov 28, I liked this article, I used it for my homework assignment. I love Wonderopolis. Wonderopolis Nov 28, We're so glad that Wonderopolis helped with your homework! Naya B Nov 28, Me and my friend cracked some glow sticks in half then we rubbed them on ourselves and turned off the lights and we started to glow!
Faith Nov 28, This was so cool! I have always wondered how things glowed but I never had the time to look it up! Thanks for sharing! Also, thanks for making wonderopolis possible. I am home schooled and this is always my favorite part of the day! Mastrullo's Class Nov 28, Audrey was amazed to learn that animals have chemicals in their bodies. Ben wants to know if it is true that glow sticks have glass inside of it that breaks and two chemicals combine to make it glow?
Hunza Nov 27, Hi I love today's wonder!!! I love glow sticks,there one of the most fun things to play with. I loved the video!!! Aaron Nov 27, Very much love to you guys I love this website. Jolene Nov 27, Hi Wonderopolis, we love your network and video. Jordynn Nov 27, This is so cool! I wish you guys could make cups glow in the dark! Jona Nov 27, How do things glow in the dark and how do they work?
Danielle Nov 27, I love glow in the dark things! Sincerely Danielle :. So do we, Danielle! We're glad today's Wonder made you light up inside! What is a good summary question for this article on glow in the dark?
We Wonder if you can come up with a summary question, Branden! We know you can do it! We Wonder what your favorite part of today's Wonder was, Angie? Mark Nov 27, I have always wondered how stuff glows in the dark. I just got this glow bracelet at school and I was wondering why it was not glowing yet. My teacher says it needs to get light in order for it to glow. Chemistry Expert.
Helmenstine holds a Ph. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter.
Updated January 03, Featured Video. Cite this Article Format. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph. How Glow in the Dark Stuff Works. Phosphorescence Definition and Examples. Glow in the Dark Pumpkin Instructions. The Science Behind Firecrackers and Sparklers. Facts About Green Fluorescent Protein. Are Glow Sticks Endothermic or Exothermic? Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for ThoughtCo. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.
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