Information on Glow Sticks

Chemicals

• Inside the glow stick's air tight plastic case is a mixture of liquid chemicals that combine and glow when activated. The first substance is a mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide and the second is a mixture of water, luminol (also used in crime scenes to highlight blood), sodium carbonate, copper sulphate pentahydrate and ammonium carbonate. If mixed in normal room conditions the glow from the liquid would only last a few second, but inside an air tight container the glow lasts longer.

Reaction

• When you "snap" or activate a glow stick, the two compounds are combined by breaking a glass vial inside the stick. This mixture of compounds results in the hydrogen peroxide replacing two of the luminol's nitrogen atoms with oxygen. As a result the electrons become excited within the mixture of compounds and produces glowing photons.

Preserving Your Glow Stick

• A glow stick can be made to last longer by placing it inside a freezer. The cold slows down the chemical reaction inside the glow stick causing a fainter glow over a longer period of time. If a glow stick is warmed up in the palm of your hand the glow will be much brighter but will last a shorter time.

Danger to Skin, Eyes or Internal Organs

• The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia says that if in contact with the skin or eyes, certain chemicals within glow sticks can cause mild irritation or redness. It recommends washing the affected area for 20 minutes with water. If symptoms persist, call for medical attention. If the chemicals are swallowed, the advice is to rinse the mouth and throat with water and drink plenty of cool liquids to soothe irritation or soreness.

Other Uses

• High-power glow sticks are used by scuba divers as an underwater source of light to help them explore the depths. They can also as a way of attracting attention of other divers in case of danger.